What charges does eBay add to a sale?
The main fees
The final value fee is the largest charge for most resellers. It is a percentage of the amount the buyer pays, and the percentage varies by category. Some sales also carry a small fixed per-order fee, which matters more on low-priced items.
Other charges appear only in certain situations. If you run a promoted listing, you may pay an advertising fee when a buyer clicks or buys. International sales can add extra fees, and some features have their own rules.
- Final value fee on most completed sales
- Per-order fee on some lower-priced items
- Promoted listing ad fees if you use them
- International or cross-border fees for some sales
- Optional tools and store subscriptions
Building a full cost estimate
Start with the final value fee, add any per-order charge, then add promoted listing costs if you use them. Subtract all of that from the sale price along with your purchase cost, packing supplies and any shipping you pay.
Write the full formula once and reuse it. Consistent math makes it easier to spot which items are truly profitable and which only look good before fees.
- Sale price minus final value fee
- Subtract any per-order or ad fees
- Subtract your cost of goods and supplies
- Compare the result to your target margin
Common mistakes
- Leaving out per-order or ad fees when estimating profit on cheap items.
- Using one flat fee rate for every category.
- Forgetting shipping costs that reduce what you keep from each sale.
Related questions
- How do I price items I find at thrift stores for resale?
- How much should I pay for items to flip for profit?
- What is a good profit margin for flipping thrift store finds?
- How do I know if a thrift store item is overpriced?
- Should I negotiate prices at garage sales?
- How do I calculate fees and shipping when pricing items?