eBay Fees Explained: A 2025 Seller's Guide

For many new sellers, the excitement of launching an eCommerce business on eBay comes with the promise of a global audience and quick sales. But that excitement can quickly fade when unexpected marketplace fees start cutting into your profits.

A Reddit user recently shared their frustration after selling a PS4 Slim:

These hidden costs can catch sellers off guard, turning what seemed like a good sale into a loss. Without a clear understanding of eBay’s fee structure, sellers risk underpricing their products, miscalculating profits, and even struggling to break even.

So, how do eBay’s fees work? More importantly, how can you minimize them to keep your business profitable?

This guide breaks down eBay fees step by step—covering listing fees, transaction fees, final value fees, and hidden charges you might not expect. You'll also learn practical strategies to reduce costs and maximize your earnings.

Breakdown of eBay fee types

Let’s break down the key fees you'll encounter when listing your products.

Insertion Fees

Every seller on eBay incurs an insertion fee when listing an item. This fee is charged per listing and per category, regardless of whether the item sells. If you don’t have an eBay Store subscription, you can list up to 250 items for free each month. Beyond that, each additional listing costs $0.35. 

Once you exceed this limit, a per-listing fee applies:

1. Basic Store: 250 free listings, then $0.30 per additional listing
2. Premium Store: 1,000 free listings, ideal for high-volume sellers

Fees may vary by location, so international sellers should check eBay’s regional policies. Most eBay Store plans include a set number of free listings per month. 

Additional Insertion Fee Rules

1. Relisting an item? You’ll be charged the fee again
2. Listing in multiple categories? Each category incurs a separate fee
3. Auction-style listings for identical products? Extra fees apply
4. Listing multiple items in one listing? The insertion fee is charged only once

Here are some examples based on certain categories:

Here’s how you can avoid unnecessary insertion fees:

1. Stay within free listing limits: Track your monthly free listing allowance to avoid overages. If you have a Basic Store with 250 free listings, list strategically to stay under this cap.
   
   
2. Use promotions: Take advantage of eBay's free listing events, like "Free Listing Weekends," to list items without paying insertion fees
   
   
3. Choose the right store plan: Upgrade to a higher-tier store if you consistently exceed free listing limits. A Premium Store plan, for example, offers 1,000 free listings, saving on fees if you list 400 items monthly.

Insertion fees add up quickly, especially when combined with final value fees (which can reach 15% in some categories). For example, exceeding the Basic Store’s 250 free listings by 100 items would add $30 to your costs. Keeping track of your listings and optimizing your store plan can help maximize profits while minimizing fees.

Final Value Fees & Additional Charges

When you sell an item on eBay, a final value fee is charged based on the total sale price, which includes the item price, shipping fees, taxes, and other associated costs. 

This fee consists of two parts:

• A percentage of the total sale price
• A fixed per-order fee: $0.30 if the sale is under $10, or $0.40 if it's over $10

If you list an item on eBay but sell it elsewhere (off-platform), eBay will still charge the final value fee based on the original listed price. For example, if you list a guitar for $250 but sell it off eBay for $220, eBay will apply the final value fee to the full $250.

Sellers who don’t meet eBay’s performance standards may face additional fees. eBay evaluates performance based on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), including:

• Cases closed without seller resolution – Percentage of cases where the seller did not resolve an issue
• Defect rate – Number of returns due to incorrect item descriptions or complaints
• Late shipment rate – Percentage of shipments sent after the promised handling time
• Tracking upload rate – Percentage of orders with tracking details uploaded on time
• Return rate – Frequency of product returns

eBay categorizes sellers into three tiers:

• Top Rated Seller – Meets eBay’s highest standards for customer service
• Above Standard Seller – Meets eBay’s minimum expectations
• Below Standard Seller – Falls short of eBay’s minimum standards, leading to restrictions and higher fees

Sellers rated Below Standard face an additional 6% penalty on their final value fee. This extra charge applies to the total sale price, including shipping and taxes.

If a seller receives excessive returns due to "not as described" issues, an additional 5% fee is applied to the sale price. Common reasons for these returns include:

• Incorrect size, color, or condition
• Item differs from the listing photos or description
• Defective or damaged products not mentioned in the listing

This fee is typically charged when a refund is issued.

If both penalties apply (poor performance and excessive returns), eBay will charge both the 6% and 5% fees. For example, if an item sells for $100 and the standard final value fee is $12:

• 6% extra for below-standard performance: $12 × 6% = $0.72
• 5% extra for high return rate: $12 × 5% = $0.60
• Total additional fees: $1.32
• New final value fee: $12 + $1.32 = $13.32

You can see how eBay calculates this fee for your business in this link: eBay Final Value Fees according for each category of products

Payment Processing Fees

When you sell an item on eBay, a final value fee is charged based on the total sale price, which includes the item price, shipping fees, taxes, and other associated costs. 

This fee consists of two parts:

1. A percentage of the total sale price (typically 12% to 15%)
2. A fixed per-order fee of $0.30

eBay integrates payment processing fees into the final value fee, meaning you don’t pay separate fees for third-party payment processing. Instead, eBay deducts a single, combined fee before transferring the remaining funds to you.

Final value fees vary by item category:

1. Most categories: 12% to 15% of the total sale amount
2. Electronics and select items: Lower rates
3. Other high-fee categories: Higher rates

If you sell to a buyer outside your registered country, eBay may charge an international fee, which varies by location. For example, sellers in India may incur an extra 1.70% fee on international transactions.

Here’s how the final value fee is calculated:

• Item price: $100
• Shipping charges: $10
• Applicable taxes: $5
• Total sale amount: $115
• Final value fee (Assuming 12%): $115 × 12% = $13.80
• Fixed fee: $0.30
• Total fees: $13.80 + $0.30 = $14.10
• Net proceeds: $115 - $14.10 = $100.90

Promoted Listing Fees

Promoted Listings is eBay’s advertising service that boosts the visibility of your products by featuring them in high-traffic areas across the platform. This is available to active eBay Store subscribers in the US, UK, Germany, and Australia.

These placements are labeled as “Sponsored” and can appear in:

• Top spots in search results
• Product detail pages
• Other prominent sections on eBay

When a buyer clicks on your promoted listing and makes a purchase—either immediately or within 30 days—eBay considers it a “Promoted Listings action”, and you’ll be charged a promotional fee.

Promoted listing ads automatically pull key details from your product listing. Any updates you make to your listing will automatically reflect in the ad in real time.

eBay uses a cost-per-sale model, meaning you pay a percentage of the final sale price when your item sells through a promoted listing. This percentage is known as the bid rate, which you can set between 1% and 100%.

There are three types of Promoted Listings campaigns, all of which follow a cost-per-sale model:

1. Standard Ads – Basic promotion with flexible bid rates
2. Advanced Ads – Includes keyword targeting and higher control over placements
3. Express Ads – Instant visibility with higher placement priority

If you set a 10% bid rate and your item sells for $50, you’ll pay $5 (10% of $50).

A higher bid will ensure that you are shown at the top. Promoted Listings fees are charged in addition to eBay’s standard selling fees, including:

• Final value fee: Based on the total selling price (item price + shipping costs)
• Other eBay transaction fees

International selling fees

If your eBay account is registered in a global country (nations where eBay operates), you may be charged an International Fee under certain conditions. 

You’ll incur an International Fee if:

1. The buyer’s delivery address is outside your registered country
2. The buyer’s registered address is in another country

The percentage of the International Fee varies by the seller's registered country or region:

This fee is based on the total sale amount, which includes:

1. Item price
2. Handling charges
3. Shipping costs chosen by the buyer
4. Sales tax
5. Any other applicable fees

Once the sale is completed, eBay automatically deducts the fee from your proceeds.

Suppose an Indian seller sells a keychain for $20 to a buyer in the UK. 

The total sale amount, including shipping and taxes, is $25.

1. International Fee for India = 1.70%
2. Sales fee applicable: $25 × 0.017 = $0.43

Thus, eBay will deduct $0.43 from the seller’s earnings for this transaction.

Beyond the International Fee, sellers may also encounter:

1. Final Value Fees – A percentage-based fee on the total sale price
2. Regulatory Operating Fees – Introduced on April 8, 2024, in select countries (UK, Austria, Belgium, France, Italy, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Switzerland) to cover regulatory compliance costs
3. Seller Currency Conversion Charge – If the transaction involves different currencies, eBay applies a conversion fee based on the exchange rate at the time of sale

To ensure profitability, factor in all fees—including International Fees, Regulatory Fees, Final Value Fees, and Currency Conversion Charges—when pricing your products. Staying updated on eBay’s fee policies will help you maximize earnings and enhance your international selling strategy.

Store Subscription Fees

If you sell regularly on eBay, a Store Subscription can help you save money and streamline your business.

For a monthly fee, you’ll gain access to:

1. More zero-insertion listings (free listings)
2. Lower fees on some plans
3. Advanced tools to manage your business efficiently

If you’re selling long-term, consider an annual subscription—it’s usually cheaper than paying month-to-month

Your ideal plan depends on how many items you sell each month:

All Basic Store subscribers and above get free access to Sourcing Insights, a tool that helps you find trending products and new inventory sources. Starter Store users may have to pay an extra fee.

How to Choose the Best Plan for Your Business?

1. Estimate your monthly sales volume
2. Compare listing fees across plans
3. Consider long-term savings with an annual plan

By selecting the right store subscription, you can cut costs, increase profits, and scale your business efficiently.

eBay vault fees

The eBay Vault is a secure, climate-controlled storage facility designed for high-value trading cards. It offers collectors and sellers protection, convenience, and cost savings, keeping cards in pristine condition while eliminating the risk of damage or loss.

Once inside the Vault, cards can be instantly bought or sold on eBay without shipping or re-authentication. Buyers can either keep their purchases in storage or withdraw them at any time.

How the eBay Vault Works

• Submitting a Card to the Vault

1. Eligible Cards: Trading cards valued at $250+
2. Authentication: Expert inspection verifies authenticity & condition
3. Storage Benefits: Cards are insured and professionally documented with high-quality photos

• Buying & Selling with the Vault

1. Free Transfer: Purchased Vault cards are automatically stored at no extra cost
2. Lower Seller Fees: No final value fees on sales of Vault-stored cards
3. 3% Buyer’s Premium: Buyers pay an additional 3% fee to cover ownership transfer costs

• Withdrawing a Card from the Vault

1. If a buyer or seller wants to remove a card from storage, eBay applies a withdrawal fee based on the card’s last purchase price.

eBay Vault Withdrawal Fee Structure

Additional Considerations

1. Sales Tax: Tax may apply when withdrawing a card from the Vault. Consult a tax advisor to determine your obligations.
2. Fee-Free Selling: No final value fees on Vault-stored card sales make it a cost-effective option for sellers.
3. Effective Date: The 3% buyer’s premium has been in effect since January 1, 2024.

By using the eBay Vault, collectors and sellers can maximize security, streamline transactions, and reduce costs. 

Calculating total selling costs on eBay

eBay provides fee calculators to help you estimate selling costs. Simply enter your item price, shipping details, and other key factors to get an accurate breakdown of fees—making it easier to set competitive prices and maximize profits.

For a more automated solution, eBay + QuickBooks integration streamlines eBay accounting and inventory management.

1. Automated Sync: Connects eBay with QuickBooks Online or Desktop, updating sales, refunds, taxes, and payouts automatically.
2. Inventory Management: Syncs product listings, updates prices and quantities, and prevents overselling with an “end listing” feature.
3. Business Insights: Access 50+ performance metrics, track daily/monthly sales, and forecast trends up to 14 months with real-time analytics.
4. Optimize Sales: Use heat maps to identify top-performing products and refine your sales strategy.

Tips to minimize eBay fees

To boost your eBay profits, reducing your seller fees is key. Here are a few practical steps to minimize those costs:

1. Optimize listings to reduce fees 

A well-optimized listing increases organic traffic and faster sales, minimizing the need for paid upgrades. 

Here’s how to optimize effectively:

• Use High-Impact Keywords: Research popular search terms with tools like Google Trends or Semrush, and include them in your titles and descriptions to improve search rankings.
• Be Clear and Detailed: Mention the brand, model, condition, and other key details. Use bullet points for quick readability and to highlight important features.
• Write Descriptive Titles: Go beyond generic labels—be specific. Instead of “Coach Bag,” try “Coach Soft Grain Leather Small Tabby Shoulder Bag With Chain” to attract the right buyers.
• Proofread Carefully: Avoid errors that could hurt your credibility and search visibility.

Optimized listings not only improve search performance but also reduce your reliance on paid promotions, helping you save on fees. 

2. Leverage free listing promotions to cut down on insertion fees

Beyond the standard 250 free fixed-price listings per month, eBay frequently offers limited-time promotions to help sellers list more items at no extra cost. Taking advantage of these promotions can significantly reduce insertion fees and increase profits.

Listings That Count Toward Your Free Allowance:

1. New Listings
2. Manually Relisted Items
3. Automatic Renewals & Relists (for business sellers)
4. Listings Ended Early (by you or eBay)
5. Duplicate Auction-Style Listings (even if some don’t appear immediately)

Types of Free Listing Promotions

• Zero Insertion Fee Events: eBay periodically removes insertion fees entirely for all listings beyond your free monthly limit. These events typically last for a weekend, a few days, or even a month and often target specific seller categories, such as business sellers or those with a strong sales history.
• Invitation-Only Promotions: eBay selectively offers special listing incentives to certain sellers. These can include deals like “List 500 Extra Items for Free This Month” or “Sell 3 Items for Free” Check your eBay messages, emails, and the “Promotions & Offers” section in Seller Hub to stay updated.

Current eBay Promotions (As of March 28, 2025)

• Non-Store & Starter Store Sellers:
  50% off the 13.25% Final Value Fee (for the portion of the sale up to $7,500)
  Standard 2.35% fee still applies for portions above $7,500
• Basic & Above Store Sellers:
  50% off the 12.35% Final Value Fee (for the portion of the sale up to $2,500)
  Standard 2.35% fee still applies for portions above $2,500

2. 50% Off Promoted Offsite Advertising Fees: Sellers who set up a Promoted Offsite campaign between Jan 20 – Mar 31, 2025, get 50% off advertising fees on eBay USA, UK, Germany, and Australia.
You should opt-in via Seller Hub during the promotion period

3. Choose the right store subscription to lower per-listing costs

If you sell a lot, an eBay Store subscription can reduce your per-listing fees. 

Here's how to select the correct one:

How much would you save in each subscription?

How to Subscribe

Go to “My eBay” > “Subscriptions” to activate your eBay Store and start saving.

Understanding eBay fee changes

eBay regularly updates its fee structure to stay competitive and align with market trends. Here’s how fee changes work and why staying informed is crucial for your business.

How eBay Announces and Implements Fee Changes

• eBay provides advance notice through email alerts, seller news pages, and help center updates.
• Fee changes may affect listing fees, store fees, or category-specific charges.
• Sometimes, eBay tests changes with a small group of sellers before rolling them out platform-wide.

Recent and Upcoming Fee Updates

• This year, eBay adjusted final value fees across several categories—some increased, while others decreased.
• Non-store sellers now receive additional free listings in select categories.

Stay updated through the eBay Seller News page for the latest changes.

Why Adapting to Fee Changes Matters

• Protect Your Margins: Small fee increases can significantly impact profits, especially for low-margin items.
• Stay Competitive: Adjust your pricing, subscription plans, or product mix to stay profitable under the new fee structure.
• React Quickly: Sellers who adapt early can maintain their profitability and competitive edge.

By staying informed and flexible, you can manage fee changes effectively and keep your eBay business thriving.

Manage and track eBay fees easily 

Now that you're aware of eBay fees and how to save costs, are you ready to launch your dream eBay business? 

As a seller, eBay charges various fees, including listing fees, final value fees, and payment processing fees. Webgility simplifies the process by downloading all eBay expense and fee details and your order data, allowing you to manage these costs easily.

Here are the steps you need to follow to set up eBay expenses and fees in Webgility Desktop: 

• Navigate to Integrations > Accounting/POS/ERP > Posting Settings
• Under Expenses & Fees, select Yes to enable recording of eBay expenses and fees
• Check the box to Download individual coupon codes as Coupon fees
• Choose how you'd like to record the expenses. For eBay and PayPal fees, select the option to Record eBay and PayPal fees separately, and from the dropdown menu, select Bill Paid for eBay final value and PayPal fees
• Click Setup to configure the billing process
• Select Save & Continue to save your transaction options

After setting it up, you can download eBay invoices under Orders > eBay > Invoice and post expenses directly to QuickBooks by selecting the invoice and clicking Post Expenses & Fees to QuickBooks. This integration streamlines the process and ensures your eBay fees are accurately recorded.

Set up Webgility today and streamline your eBay business expenses. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does eBay take per sale?

eBay's fees vary based on the product category and the total sale amount. For most categories, the final value fee is 13.6% on the total sale up to $7,500 per item, with a 2.35% fee on the portion of the sale over $7,500.

Does eBay take 20%?

No, eBay does not take exactly 20% of a sale. The total average percentage eBay takes is 12.35% (10% Final Value Fee + 2.35% eBay Managed Payments fee).

Are eBay fees 15%?

No, eBay fees are not always 15%, and they vary depending on the item category and sale amount. Some categories, like Women's Bags and Handbags, have a 15% fee on sales under $2,000, but other categories, like Musical Instruments, have different fee structures.

Can you avoid fees on eBay?

While you can't completely avoid fees on eBay, you can reduce them. You can optimize your listings to avoid extra charges, use free listing promotions, and subscribe to an eBay Store to get discounts on listing and final value fees. However, insertion fees and final value fees will still apply when you list and sell an item.

Are eBay fees tax deductible?

If you run an eBay business, you can deduct fees, shipping costs, and other expenses from your taxable income. If you occasionally sell personal items at a loss, you usually don’t need to report those sales.