How are eBay Fees and Selling Costs Set?

  • Quick read

We understand the frustration of making a big sale only to see a percentage of your revenue go to fees. And given that eBay's final value fees range between 3% to 15%, it's important to know what you're paying for and how to maximize your return. 

What are eBay Fees?Person typing into a blue calculator next to a desktop keyboard.

Like other online marketplaces, eBay charges a variety of fees to sell on their platform. However, the variables between certain items, listings, and account types make them somewhat tricky to pin down, which can become confusing. 

So, what is the cost to sell a product on eBay? The best way to get a baseline of your fees is by using an eBay calculator ahead of each listing. You should also visit the ‘Fee Details’ page in the Seller Hub to see the cumulative cost associated with your store.

How Much Does eBay Take per Sale?

To calculate how much eBay takes from a sale you need to add two fees: insertion (listing) and final value.  Insertion fees are the cost to list items for sale on eBay - it's free up to 250 listings. Final value fees come into play after an item sells. The final value fee for most categories is 13.25% of the sale.

A per sale fee is added on top of all sales - orders $10.00 or less the per order fee is $0.30, orders over $10.00 the per order fee is $0.40.   

eBay per sale fee calculation:

pre sale  post sale  
Insertion (listing) Fee + Final Value Fee + Per Sale Fee = eBay selling fee per sale

Find out more about final value fees based on category 

Basic eBay Seller Fees to Know

 

Platform Cost

Depending on your sales volume, eBay offers various monthly plans ranging from entry-level $4.95 options to $2,999.95 enterprise accounts. Each tier gradually offers more perks like insertion fee credits, discounts, and reduced final value payments as the price increases. Think of this as your subscription cost.

The easiest way to save on this fee is by simply paying for a year upfront rather than opting into a monthly charge. 

Insertion FeePerson holding a red credit card in their left hand while shopping online on a laptop computer.

Every seller receives at least 250 free listings monthly. If you go beyond that number, you'll pay a $0.35 insertion fee per listing. The best way to avoid this fee is by staying within 250 listings or enrolling your eBay store at a higher plan that offers additional zero insertion fees

Final Value Fee

The final value fee is what eBay charges you based on a percentage that ranges between 3% and 15.00% of the total amount of a sale and depends on the type of product sold. The total amount of the sale includes:

  • The product price 
  • Taxes
  • Shipping 
  • Handling fees 
  • Misc. fees 

The good news is that these become hard-capped depending on your account level. For example, the final value fee cap is $750 if you're a starter store member, while premium account holders are capped at $350. 

If you’re looking to save on final value fees, we recommend increasing your account level or becoming a top-rated seller to receive an additional 10% discount.  

PayPal Fees

Most sellers use PayPal alongside eBay because it simplifies payments and returns. The bad news is that PayPal charges a 2.9% processing fee and a $.30 sales transaction fee on each sale. Fortunately, qualifying businesses selling above $3,000 in merchandise can reduce that percentage by opening a PayPal Merchant account

Listing Upgrade FeesWoman sitting on a grey couch while working on a laptop computer.

These optional fees depend on the extras added to a listing to entice customer engagement and sales. Upgrade fees include bolded titles, access to international visitors, more images, subtitles, promoted listings, and more. You can save on upgrades by requesting credits from eBay and by changing your store plan. 

Additional eBay Fees

Once you sell an item, you may encounter other fees beyond the ones listed above. Here are a few other expenses to account for when selling on eBay: 

  • Shipping fees and labels 
  • Advertising costs
  • Refunds
  • Disputed charges 

Improve How You Sell on eBay

We always encourage folks to embrace eBay because our customers who expand to their platform see an average sales increase of 30%. That alone makes it an excellent opportunity for growth for any e-commerce business, even if the fees are hard to stomach. 

Nevertheless, we’re here to help anyone looking for an exciting way to maximize eBay by automating, optimizing, and expanding your e-commerce business. If that’s you, we offer powerful listing and price management software that saves time, increases visibility, and boosts sales. Start by enrolling in a free 14-day trial of SellerActive today!

About SellerActive by Cart.com

SellerActive, powered by Cart.com, is a leading multichannel management platform founded in 2011. Our platform enables e-commerce businesses to effortlessly expand their product reach across numerous channels, including Amazon, Walmart, TikTok, eBay, and more. With features such as centralized product catalog creation, automated repricing technology capturing the Buy Box up to 72% of the time, and streamlined inventory syncing and order routing. Whether you're seeking managed services or a DIY approach, SellerActive by Cart.com offers top-rated support and proven success in online sales channels and marketplaces. New customers have achieved an average sales growth of 22% in the first 60-days, without expanding their workforce. Unlock the full potential of your online business with Cart.com.