How much does eBay take from a sale? 

eBay takes anywhere from 2.35% to over 15% on a sale. Here is a simplified look at eBay's fee categories, so you know how much eBay charges for each sale.

Disclaimer: These fee rates are accurate at the time of writing, but eBay may update its pricing and category rules throughout the year. Always double-check current fees on eBay before listing or calculating your final payout. Some categories, thresholds, or surcharges may change without notice, and your actual fees may vary based on your seller metrics, location, or listing format.

eBay fee types

eBay’s category-based selling fees system doesn’t have to be complicated. If you understand the definition of each fee, you’ll have a better idea of how to calculate the amount that eBay takes from your sales. 

Here’s an explanation of eBay’s fees: 

• Final value fee: Every seller pays this when an item sells. This fee is a percentage of the total sale plus a small fixed per-order charge.
• Insertion (listing) fee: After you exceed the 250 free monthly listings eBay provides, the platform charges $0.35 per item you list each month, starting with listing 251. Listing fees apply to most, but not all, item categories.
• International fee: eBay charges an international fee when a seller ships to a buyer in another country without eBay International Shipping. This fee is a percentage of the total sale, as detailed below in the Additional fee #3 section.
• Seller currency conversion charge: This fee applies when eBay converts funds between currencies. This fee is a percentage added to the exchange rate.
• Additional final value fees (policy/performance): eBay charges for off-platform activity or poor seller metrics. This fee is an added percentage on top of the normal final value fee. See the Additional Fee #2: Penalties section below for more information. 
• Dispute fee: Charged when a seller is responsible for a chargeback. This fee is a fixed $20 charge.
• Notice fee (real estate): Real estate listings carry both insertion and notice fees, which vary by listing format.

A note on final value fees: eBay charges a percentage up to a specified dollar amount. If the item’s sale value exceeds that dollar amount, it takes a smaller percentage on every dollar over that amount. 

For instance, if you sell a $100 speaker and it’s one of 100 listings you posted this month, you make $86.40 after eBay takes 13.6%. But if you sell an $8,000 dishwasher, eBay takes $1,020 on the first $7,500, and then $11.75 on the remaining $500, meaning you make $6,968.25. 

In most categories, eBay reduces its final value fee once a sale exceeds $7,500.

Category-based selling fees

Currently, eBay classifies items you sell into one of 14 categories. 

1. Most categories

Sellers offering a mix of everyday eBay goods pay a 13.6% final value fee on the first $7,500 of each sale, then 2.35% on any amount above that.

The sales platform didn’t exactly tap into their creative juices when naming this category. Yet, this category has the broadest range of items: 

• Small electronics and accessories: Bluetooth speakers, webcams, power banks, USB hubs, wireless keyboards
• Home improvement tools: Screwdrivers, wrenches, drill bits, tape measures, utility knives
• Household essentials: Storage bins, cleaning tools, small organizers, dish racks, laundry baskets
• Pet supplies: Leashes, bowls, grooming tools, pet toys, training pads
• Fitness accessories: Resistance bands, yoga blocks, water bottles, jump ropes, hand grips
• Hobby and craft supplies: Paint sets, markers, model kits, sketch pads, craft knives, turntables, musical instruments (excluding guitars)
• All clothing: Includes men's, women's, and kids' clothing
• Non-athletic shoes: Casual sneakers under $150, boots, heels, flats, sandals, slippers, and dress shoes

2. Books, movies, and music

eBay charges a 15.3% final value fee on the first $7,500 of each sale.  

If a sale is over $7,500, the fee drops to 2.35% on every dollar above $7,500. 

This rate applies to the following items: 

• Books
• DVDs
• Blu-rays
• CDs

3. Coins and paper money (except bullion)

eBay charges a 13.25% final value fee on the first $7,500 of the sale and 2.35% on the amount above that. This category excludes investment-grade gold and silver bars or coins sold mainly for their metal value.

eBay considers these coins and paper money:

• Collectible currency and historic coins (money that’s no longer in circulation) 
• Mint sets
• Commemorative coins
• Foreign banknotes

4. Bullion (precious metals)

Bullion (gold or silver coins) incurs a 13.6% fee on sales up to $7,500, then drops to 7% on anything above that threshold. 

However, eBay doesn’t just limit the bullion category to shiny pieces of 8. Here’s what eBay counts as bullion:

• Gold bars
• Silver bars
• Platinum bars
• Palladium bars
• Gold bullion coins like American Gold Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs, and Krugerrands
• Silver bullion coins such as American Silver Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs, and Britannias
• Platinum bullion coins
• Palladium bullion coins
• Precious metal rounds
• Precious metal ingots sold for manufacturing or metal value

5. Women’s bags and handbags

Sellers of designer bags work with a 15% final value fee on sales up to $2,000, then 9% on any amount above that. 

The following items fall into the women’s bags and handbags category:

• Tote bags
• Shoulder bags
• Crossbody bags
• Clutches
• Satchels
• Backpacks designed for women
• Hobo bags

6. Select collectibles

If you’re selling collectibles, you’ll pay a 13.25% final value fee on the first $7,500 of each sale, then 2.35% on the amount above that. 

eBay considers the following items select collectibles:

• Comic books
• Sports trading cards
• Non-sport trading cards
• Collectible card game singles
• Unopened card booster boxes
• Autographed trading cards
• Graded slabbed cards (trading cards in a hard plastic case, graded by companies like PSA or Beckett)

7. Jewelry (non-watch categories)

Jewelry sellers pay a 15% final value fee on sales up to $5,000, then a 9% fee on amounts above that threshold. 

The fee applies to all jewelry, including pieces made of precious materials. Here’s what eBay considers jewelry:

• Necklaces
• Bracelets
• Earrings
• Rings
• Diamond jewelry
• Gold jewelry

Note: This category doesn’t include watches. 

8. Watches, watch parts, and watch accessories

Folks selling all things watches have a three-tier fee structure. eBay charges 15% on the first $1,000, 6.5% between $1,000 and $7,500, then just 3% on amounts above $7,500.

Here’s what falls into this category:

• Rolex watches
• Omega watches
• Watch straps
• Replacement watch bands
• Watch movements
• Bezels and dials
• Watch repair tools

9. NFT (Non-fungible tokens) categories

NFT sellers pay a flat 5% final value fee on the total sale price, regardless of the final sale price. eBay defines an NFT as any digital collectible that is minted on a blockchain and sold as a unique, trackable token. 

These items aren’t physical products. Instead, the buyer receives a blockchain-verified digital asset that they access by claiming it through a compatible crypto wallet linked to the blockchain where the NFT was minted.

Here are the types of NFTs that fall into this category:

• Art NFTs
• Sport and Non-Sport Trading Card NFTs
• Emerging NFTs
• Music NFTs
• CCG NFTs
• Movie or entertainment NFTs

10. Select business and industrial categories

Business and industrial sellers pay a 3% fee on the first $15,000 of the sale and just 0.5% on amounts above that.

Because this category requires a flat $20 insertion fee for every listing, the usual “first 250 listings free” rule doesn’t apply. Sellers rarely have over 250 of these bulky, high-value listings, so the standard $0.35 isn’t charged.

The following items fall into this category:

• Construction equipment
• Farm tractors
• Excavators 
• Food trucks, trailers, and carts
• Heavy machinery parts
• Commercial printing presses

11. Musical instruments: Guitars & basses

Guitar sellers pay a 6.7% final value fee on the first $7,500 of each sale, dropping to 2.35% on amounts above that. eBay doesn’t charge an insertion fee for this category, so you only pay when your items sell.

This category includes:

• Guitars 
• Basses
• Acoustic guitars

12. Athletic shoes (men’s and women’s)

If you sell athletic shoes, you’ll pay an 8% final value fee on shoes priced at $150 or above.

Also, all sales under $150 have a higher 13.6% fee. eBay doesn’t charge an insertion fee on athletic shoes priced above $150. This category includes only shoes listed as athletic shoes, not casual, dress, or other shoes. All other types of footwear fall under “Most categories.”

Here are some examples: 

• Nike running shoes
• Basketball shoes
• Cleats for football or baseball
• Golf shoes
• Bowling shoes
• Wrestling shoes
• Iceskates and hockey skates

13. Land, manufactured homes, and timeshare homes

You read that right: eBay allows you to sell land, timeshares, and manufactured homes. eBay doesn’t charge final value fees on these real estate products either. It only takes upfront notice fees based on the listing format. A notice fee is a charge eBay adds for posting the real estate notice on the site. 

Auction-style listings cost $35 to list plus a $35 notice fee, while 30-day fixed-price listings cost $50 plus the same $35 notice fee.  

You can also choose a classified ad for $150 for 30 days or $300 for 90 days with no notice fee.

eBay lets you list the following real estate products:

• Vacant land
• Rural acreage
• Manufactured homes
• Mobile homes
• Timeshare properties
• Recreational land plots

14. Commercial, residential, and other real estate

Commercial and residential property sellers pay flat insertion fees with no final value fees on completed sales. Auction-style listings cost $100 insertion, while 30-day formats run $150. 

Classified ads cost $150 for 30 days or $300 for 90 days. 

Here’s the real estate that falls into this category:

• Residential homes
• Commercial buildings
• Investment rental properties
• Multi-family properties
• Retail storefronts
• Warehouses
• Vacant commercial land

Additional fees that may apply

eBay might also charge more fees depending on listing details. Here are the different types of additional fees they may charge you:

Additional fee #1: Optional listing upgrade fees

You can upgrade how your listing appears on eBay to stand out from competitors. These fees range from a few dollars to over $10, depending on the upgrade, and they're charged upfront regardless of whether your item sells. 

Here are a few upgrades eBay offers:

• Bold title: Makes your listing title appear in bold to stand out in search results
• Subtitle: Adds a second line of text under your title to give buyers more detail
• Gallery Plus: Shows a larger photo in search results to catch more attention
• Dual-category placement: Let your item appear in two categories to reach more shoppers
• Reserve price: Sets a minimum amount you’re willing to accept in an auction
• International site visibility: Displays your listing on additional eBay global sites so international buyers can see it

These costs vary depending on the upgrade you purchase. Visit eBay’s listing upgrade page for more information.

Additional fee #2: Penalties

eBay penalizes sellers who violate policies or fail to meet performance metrics by imposing an additional fee of a 6% surcharge on all sales. If a majority of sellers complain that your item quality is “not as described,” you’ll incur a 5% penalty. 

The platform charges both of these penalties after the evaluation period, which ends on the 20th of each month. eBay only says that the “rate of sellers complaining about your product not being as described is very high.” eBay does not provide an exact number. 

Sellers who list on eBay and try to take a deal off eBay (to avoid fees) get hit with an extra final value fee based on the highest price discussed, even if the item never sells on the site. eBay can also remove listings, lower your seller level, or suspend your account for repeated violations. So, I recommend that you always be on your best behavior when selling on eBay. 

Additional fee #3: Transaction-related fees

Transaction-related fees cover payment processing and international sales and vary by buyer location and payment method. 

eBay applies the following transaction fees in certain situations:

• $20 chargeback fee when sellers lose buyer protection cases
• 1.65% international fee on all cross-border transactions (if you’re not using eBay International Shipping)
• If payments are made in different currencies, eBay charges a 3% currency conversion fee (applies when listing on non-U.S. eBay sites).

How does shipping affect your final fees?

eBay includes the shipping amount you charge the buyer in the total sale price, which is used to calculate your final value fee. 

Here’s how this policy affects your final fees: If you charge more for shipping, your fee goes up. If you offer free or low-cost shipping, your final value fee is calculated on a smaller total.

Offering free shipping and building the cost into the listing price doesn't change eBay’s fee calculation.

What does eBay take when a buyer returns an item?

When a buyer returns an item, eBay automatically credits most of your fees, including final value fees (prorated), insertion fees for relisted items, and Promoted Listings Standard fees. However, eBay does NOT credit per-order fees ($0.30–$0.40) or Promoted Listings Advanced/Express fees. Additionally, if you offered free shipping, you lose the original shipping cost.

If a buyer returns an item that's “significantly not as described” (SNAD), the seller must issue a full refund. eBay will credit most of the seller's fees (final value fee, international fees, Promoted Listings Standard), but will NOT credit per-order fees or certain Promoted Listings fees. High SNAD rates can also trigger additional 5% final value fees and Below Standard status.

Sellers may also face additional penalties, such as restricted selling limits, a lower seller level, or even account suspension.

eBay fee calculator: When to use one

Use an eBay fee calculator if you're selling items from different categories. eBay fee calculators help you estimate your total costs (including fees) before listing items. These tools can prevent surprises at payouts and help you protect your margins.

Nifty, a reselling tool, offers an analytics suite that calculates the fees you pay on eBay each time an item sells. This feature gives your exact cost and revenue breakdowns. If you want to calculate fees before listing to find an optimal price, use an online eBay fee calculator.

When does eBay pay sellers?

eBay typically initiates payment processing within 2 business days of payment confirmation or 2 calendar days after delivery confirmation. Note: New sellers, high-value sales, or untracked items may have payment holds up to 21 days.

Funds transferred to an eBay balance (Spendable funds) are available immediately for purchases on eBay (if you’re eligible). However, withdrawals to your bank account usually take 1–3 business days to clear. 

Let’s say you sell a vintage record on eBay on Monday and the buyer receives it on Wednesday. eBay triggers payout processing by Friday, with bank deposits arriving the following week. 

Make more sales on eBay with Nifty

Now that you understand how eBay’s fees work, it’s time to tighten your workflow so you can keep even more profits. I recommend using a tool like Nifty to reach your sales goals. It gives you a faster way to list, crosslist, and manage inventory across eBay and other marketplaces.

Here’s why Nifty works so well for eBay sellers:

• AI listing: Snap a pic and let Nifty write an optimized title and description, complete your item specifics, and suggest trending keywords.
• Crosslist now: Post your items to eBay, Poshmark, Mercari, Depop, and Etsy (more coming soon!) in a few clicks. No copying and pasting, no extra tabs.
• Automatic delisting handled: When something sells, Nifty auto-delists it across all other marketplaces, protecting you from double-selling headaches.
• Bulk tools that save hours: Share, relist, discount, and update items in batches. You can even schedule drafts to go live when you’re asleep.
• Real analytics: Track fees, profits, sell-through, and top performers so you can see which items actually make you the most money.

Nifty pays for itself in time saved and sales gained. Start your 7-day free trial and see how much smoother reselling can be.

FAQs

1. How does eBay charge bundles with several categories? 

eBay charges bundles based on the primary category you select when listing. If you bundle a watch with a leather strap, choosing “Watches” as the main category means the entire sale follows watch fee rates (15% on $1,000, then 6.5% on the amount between $1,000 and $7,500, then 3% on the amount over $7,500). Choose your primary category carefully, as it determines which fee tier applies to the full bundle price, not individual items. 

2. What happens if my item sells for more than eBay’s fee threshold?

When your item sells above eBay's fee threshold, the platform charges a lower percentage on amounts exceeding that limit. For example, you pay eBay 6.7% on the first $7,500 ($502.50) and 2.35% on the remaining $2,500 ($58.75) for selling a $10,000 guitar, plus ~$0.40 per order, totaling $561.65 in fees. eBay’s tiered structure protects your margins on high-value sales.

3. Are insertion fees charged in every category?

No, insertion fees aren’t charged in every category. Insertion fees apply to the popular “Most categories” items after the first 250 monthly listings. However, most guitars list for free, and business and industrial equipment charges a flat $20 upfront regardless of listing count. Real estate categories use specialized insertion fees ranging from $35 to $300, depending on the property.

4. How much does eBay charge if your item doesn't sell?

eBay charges insertion fees even when items don't sell, but whether you pay depends on the listing type. For instance, if you list under 250 items monthly in the “Most categories” tier, eBay won’t charge you until you have over 250. Optional upgrade fees like bold titles, subtitles, or Gallery Plus also stay nonrefundable regardless of the sale outcome.