For most U.S. sellers without an eBay Store, eBay takes a percentage of the total amount of the sale plus a small per-order fee. The total amount is broader than the item price: it usually includes buyer-paid shipping, handling, sales tax, and other applicable amounts.
The headline percentage is not universal. Most categories use 13.6% up to $7,500, while books and several media categories use 15.3%, qualifying athletic shoes can use 8%, and guitars and basses use 6.7%. Store subscribers and vehicle sellers use different schedules.
The basic eBay fee formula
For an order above $10 in a common category, a useful starting formula is total sale amount × 13.6% + $0.40. Orders of $10 or less use a $0.30 order fee. If the fee base exceeds $7,500, most common categories charge 2.35% on the portion above that threshold.
- Item price is generally included
- Buyer-paid shipping and handling are generally included
- Sales tax is generally included in the fee base
- Your item cost does not reduce eBay's fee
Promoted listings change the break-even price
A promoted listing fee can sit on top of the final value fee when the sale is attributed under the campaign terms. A 10% ad rate does not mean total fees are 10%; it can mean roughly 10 percentage points in addition to the category fee. Model the promotion before accepting an offer.
Payout is not profit
Net payout is the money remaining after eBay fees. Profit subtracts inventory cost, seller-paid shipping, packaging, returns, and other direct costs from that payout. A $100 sale can produce a healthy-looking payout and still be a weak flip when the item cost is high.
Check the receipt before updating your records
The calculator is an estimate. Compare it with the actual order details because Store status, seller performance, international location, category, listing upgrades, fee caps, and policy penalties can alter the charge. Use the official eBay table as the final authority.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
Does eBay charge fees on shipping?
Usually yes. Buyer-paid shipping is generally part of the total amount used for the final value fee, subject to eBay's stated exceptions.
Does eBay charge fees on sales tax?
For ordinary U.S. orders, eBay says the total amount of the sale includes sales tax, even though the tax is collected and remitted.
What is the most common eBay seller fee?
For many categories and sellers without a Store, the starting rate is 13.6% plus a $0.30 or $0.40 per-order fee. Your category and account can differ.