The short answer
In most categories, eBay charges a 13.6% final value fee on the total sale, plus a per-order fee of $0.40, or $0.30 on orders of $10 or less. Payment processing is included in that fee. On a $40 order, eBay takes $5.84.
The final value fee
The final value fee is charged on the total amount of the sale: the item price, the shipping the buyer pays and any sales tax eBay collects. In most categories it's 13.6% on the first $7,500 and 2.35% on anything above that.
Because sales tax is included, the real fee is a little higher than the item price suggests. A $40 order with 8% sales tax is a $43.20 total, which adds about 44 cents to the final value fee.
Categories with different rates
Some categories don't follow the standard 13.6%. Examples include books and media, which are charged more; guitars and basses, which are charged less; trading cards and some collectibles; watches, which have tiered rates; and athletic shoes sold for $150 or more, which pay 8% with no per-order fee. Check eBay's fee page for your exact category before you price.
Other eBay fees
- Insertion fees. Most sellers get 250 free listings a month; after that, listings in most categories cost $0.35 each.
- Promoted Listings. With a General campaign you pay your chosen ad rate, from 2%, on the total sale when a buyer clicks your ad and buys within 30 days.
- International fee. Sales to buyers outside the US carry an extra fee of about 1.65% of the total.
- Store subscriptions. Basic and higher Store plans lower the final value fee in many categories, to 12.7% in most, and add more free listings.
- Seller performance. Accounts rated below standard pay a higher final value fee.
How much eBay takes at different prices
| Order total | eBay fees | Share of the sale |
|---|---|---|
| $10 | $1.66 | 16.6% |
| $25 | $3.80 | 15.2% |
| $40 | $5.84 | 14.6% |
| $100 | $14.00 | 14.0% |
Standard category, no Promoted Listings, sales tax left out. As on Etsy, the fixed per-order fee weighs most on cheap items.
Worked example: a $35 item with $5 shipping
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Final value fee (13.6% of $40) | $5.44 |
| Per-order fee | $0.40 |
| Item cost, label, packaging and ads | $16.70 |
| Net profit | $17.46 (43.7% margin) |
With a 5% Promoted Listings rate on the same sale, eBay charges another $2.00 and profit falls to $15.46. If only some of your sales come through promoted listings, the average cost is lower, but each promoted sale still pays the full ad rate.
eBay compared with Etsy and Shopify
On the same $40 order, eBay's $5.84 in fees compares with $4.25 on Etsy and $1.46 for Shopify's card fee. eBay has no monthly fee unless you open a Store, and it brings buyers who search for specific items, which suits used goods, parts and collectibles especially well. The platform comparison shows all three for your own product.
How to keep more on eBay
- Bundle small items to pay one per-order fee instead of several.
- Set Promoted Listings rates from your margin, not from eBay's suggested rate.
- Consider a Store once you list and sell regularly; the lower final value fee can outweigh the subscription.
Work out eBay fees and profit for any item, with Promoted Listings included.
Open the eBay fee calculatorFrequently asked questions
How much does eBay take per sale?
In most categories eBay charges a 13.6% final value fee on the total sale, including shipping, plus a per-order fee of $0.40 (or $0.30 on orders of $10 or less). Payment processing is included in that fee. On a $40 order, that's $5.84.
Does eBay charge fees on sales tax?
Yes. The final value fee is calculated on the total sale, including shipping and any sales tax eBay collects.
How can I lower my eBay fees?
Bundle items to pay fewer per-order fees, keep Promoted Listings rates in line with your margin, and consider a Store once you sell regularly.