Quick Answer:
eBay’s final value fee typically ranges from 13.25% to 15% of the total sale amount — including item price and shipping. This fee already includes payment processing. The exact percentage depends on the item’s category, your seller status, and whether you have a store subscription. Additional fees may apply for promotions or international sales.
Introduction: Why Final Value Fees Matter More Than Ever
For most online sellers, pricing isn’t just about what the item is worth — it’s about how much you actually keep after fees. eBay is one of the largest marketplaces in the world, but like every platform, it takes a cut from each sale.
Whether you’re selling sneakers, vintage apparel, collectibles, or electronics, understanding how final value fees are calculated is essential to setting profitable prices and avoiding unpleasant surprises.
This guide breaks down exactly how much the final value fee on eBay is, how it compares to platforms like Mercari, and how to factor these costs into your pricing strategy.
What Is the Final Value Fee on eBay?
The final value fee is the main selling fee charged by eBay whenever your item sells. It’s calculated as a percentage of the total amount paid by the buyer, including shipping and handling (but not sales tax).
| Category | Final Value Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Clothing, Shoes & Accessories | 13.25% | Lower after $7,500 threshold |
| Electronics | 12.9% | Slightly cheaper for tech items |
| Collectibles & Trading Cards | 14.35% | Includes TCG, comics, Funko Pops |
| Jewelry & Watches | 15% | Tiered rates for high-ticket items |
| Home & Garden | 13.25% | Standard |
| Business & Industrial | 12.9% | Often used by bulk sellers |
💡 Tip: This fee includes payment processing. There are no additional PayPal charges under eBay Managed Payments.
Automate this with Closo → Closo calculates these fees automatically so you can price items for the exact profit margin you want.
How eBay Calculates Final Value Fees
The final value fee is applied to:
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Item price
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Shipping cost
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Handling fees
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Any additional services included in the total buyer payment
Example:
If a buyer pays:
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$100 for the item
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$10 for shipping
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Total: $110
and your category fee is 13.25%, then:
This $14.58 is deducted automatically from your payout.
eBay Final Value Fees by Category
Not all products are charged the same rate. Here’s a more detailed breakdown by common categories:
| Category | Final Value Fee | Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fashion / Apparel | 13.25% | Lower beyond $7,500 per item |
| Electronics | 12.9% | Popular among resellers |
| Collectibles / TCG | 14.35% | One of the highest rates |
| Jewelry & Watches | 15% | Tiered structure for luxury |
| Home, Tools, Furniture | 13.25% | Standard |
| Business & Industrial | 12.9% | Often used for B2B sales |
| Books, Movies & Music | 14.35% | Niche category |
How Store Subscriptions Affect Final Value Fees
eBay Store subscriptions can lower your final value fees and give you access to more free listings.
| Store Type | Monthly Fee | Free Listings | Fee Reduction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | $4.95 | 250 | Minimal |
| Basic | $27.95 | 1,000 | Lower |
| Premium | $74.95 | 10,000 | Lower |
| Anchor | $349.95 | 25,000+ | Lowest |
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High-volume sellers often recover the subscription cost through fee savings.
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Top Rated Sellers can save up to an additional 10%.
Automate this with Closo → Closo factors in your subscription level to give you the most accurate pricing recommendations.
Additional Fees Sellers Should Know
While the final value fee is the main cost, other fees can apply depending on how you sell.
📢 Promoted Listings Fee
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Optional but widely used to increase visibility
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2%–10% (you choose the rate)
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Only charged if the item sells through the promotion
📝 Insertion Fees
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First 250 listings are free for non-store sellers
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$0.30 per additional listing beyond that
🌍 International Sales Fee
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1.65% if selling to a buyer outside the U.S.
🏪 Reserve Price Fee (optional)
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Applies if you set a reserve price on auction listings
eBay vs Mercari Fees: Key Differences
Mercari has a simpler but more limited fee structure:
| Platform | Base Fee | Payment Fee | Total | Listing Fee | Subscription |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| eBay | 13.25%–15% | Included | 13.25–15% | $0.30 after free | Optional |
| Mercari | 10% | 2.9% + $0.30 | 12–13% | $0 | None |
✅ Key takeaway: Mercari is cheaper on average, but eBay offers significantly more reach, categories, and pricing tools.
Real Example: $100 Sale Fee Breakdown
| Component | eBay | Mercari |
|---|---|---|
| Item + Shipping Price | $110 | $110 |
| Final Value Fee | $14.58 (13.25%) | $11 (10%) |
| Payment Processing Fee | Included | $3.49 |
| Total Fees | $14.58 | $14.49 |
| Net Payout | $95.42 | $95.51 |
➡️ At lower volumes, Mercari is slightly cheaper.
➡️ At higher volumes, eBay store discounts can make eBay equally or more profitable.
Tips to Reduce eBay Fees
🧠 1. Get a Store Subscription
If you sell more than 100 items monthly, store discounts lower your effective fees.
🏆 2. Earn Top Rated Seller Status
Top Rated Sellers can get up to 10% fee discounts.
📢 3. Use Promotions Strategically
Set ad rates carefully. Don’t overpay for exposure.
✈️ 4. Optimize Shipping Costs
Since shipping is included in fee calculation, lowering shipping reduces fees.
🤖 5. Use Automation Tools
Dynamic pricing helps ensure every listing hits your target profit margin.
Automate this with Closo → Closo calculates optimal pricing and fee-adjusted margins automatically.
FAQ
❓ How much is a final value fee on eBay?
eBay charges between 13.25% and 15% depending on category, seller status, and promotions.
❓ Does eBay charge fees on shipping?
Yes, final value fees apply to the total amount including shipping.
❓ Are there any extra eBay fees besides the final value fee?
Yes — insertion fees, promoted listing fees, and international fees can apply.
❓ How does eBay compare to Mercari?
Mercari has lower fees but less reach. eBay offers store discounts, scaling, and promotion tools.
❓ How can I lower my eBay fees?
Store subscriptions, Top Rated Seller status, and smart pricing strategies can reduce your total fees.
Cross-Links
🏁 Final Thoughts
Understanding eBay’s final value fees isn’t just accounting — it’s strategy. These fees directly impact your profit margins, and mastering them is essential if you want to scale your online resale business.
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🧮 Casual sellers should simply know their category rates and price accordingly.
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💼 Professional sellers can leverage store subscriptions and Top Rated Seller discounts to keep more profit.
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🌍 And multi-platform sellers can compare eBay and Mercari fees to pick the most profitable channels for each item.
The smartest sellers automate this process. With Closo, you can calculate fees in real time, price strategically, and focus on growth — not spreadsheets.
