What Percentage Does eBay Take From a Sale?

Reselling on eBay can be profitable, but understanding its fee structure is essential. So, what percentage does eBay take from a sale? The platform charges a final value fee that varies by category, seller account type, and the sale's total price. For more than 18 million resellers on the platform, knowing these fees is crucial to maintaining healthy profit margins.

What Percentage Does eBay Take From a Sale?

Private resellers in the UK will no longer pay to list their items for sale as of October 1, 2024. Upon sale, resellers are exempt from paying transaction costs. All categories are subject to this, with the exception of Vehicles (the listings for Cars, Motorcycles & Vehicles).

On the other hand, non-private resellers will have to think about item price, shipping, and applicable taxes, plus a flat £0.24 per order. Most importantly, most of the reselling platforms charge pretty much the same, from Etsy to Vinted and ASOS Marketplace.

Types of Fees You Should Know About When Reselling on eBay

One of the first tips for an e-commerce business to succeed is to understand all the costs that come with selling on multiple marketplaces. So, what percentage does eBay take on a sale? Starting from October 1, 2024, the platform has implemented changes to its fee structure for private resellers based in the UK. These updates aim to provide clarity and flexibility, whether you're reselling casually or as part of a larger operation. 

Changes like these make reselling on eBay more straightforward and cost-effective for private resellers, especially for those who resell infrequently. By offering free listings and eliminating final value fees, the platform ensures that resellers can focus more on their products and customer service rather than worrying about complex charges. Here are all the fees you need to be aware of to make reselling profitable.

Free Listings Each Month

Private resellers can enjoy up to 300 free listings per month. This allows you to list a variety of items without worrying about upfront costs. If you subscribe to the platform's shop plan, your monthly allowance increases to 400 free listings, giving you even more opportunities to showcase your products. Once you exceed your free listing allocation, each additional listing will cost 35p per item.

Final Value Fees and International Charges

For private resellers, final value fees are no longer charged, meaning you get to keep more of your profits when an item sells. Do you want to sell and make money? Then, think about expanding your online business globally. However, keep in mind that this multi-vendor marketplace platform adds an extra international transaction fee of 3% that will be applied to the final sale price.

Optional Listing Upgrades for Added Visibility

To help your items stand out, eBay offers optional listing upgrades, which come at an additional cost. Adding a subtitle to your listing will cost £2, a worthwhile investment if you want to provide extra details and attract more attention.

Setting a reserve price to ensure your item sells for no less than a specific amount comes with a fee. The cost is 4% of the reserve price, with a minimum reserve of £50 and a cap of £150. Note that this fee is applicable regardless of whether the item sells.

eBay Shop Subscriptions - Extra Perks for Regular Resellers

For resellers looking to maximize their reach, eBay offers a Basic Shop subscription for £19.99 per month. This plan increases your monthly free listing limit to 400, making it ideal for those who list multiple items regularly. It's a great way to balance costs while expanding your potential customer base on one of the best online selling platforms.

Examples of Deducting Fees 

Using software to sell on both eBay and Depop can be a great way to earn extra income or grow a business. However, you need to understand how fees are deducted to maximize your profits. These expenses might seem small at first glance, but they can quickly add up, especially for high-value items or frequent sales. In fact, according to Statista, eBay generated over $10 billion in revenue in 2023, largely driven by reseller fees. To help you get a clear picture, let's break down a real-world example.

Reselling a Women's Handbag

Imagine you're selling a designer handbag for £1,200. In this category, eBay charges a 15% final value fee on sales up to £1,600. This means the fee for your sale would be £180 (calculated as £1,200 × 15%). Additionally, there's a flat £0.24 order fee. Combined, your total fees come to £180.24. After these deductions, your earnings from the sale would be £1,019.76. If you're into reselling designer bags, make sure to check out the video below for all the tips and tricks.

How to Reduce eBay Reseller Fees?

Running a successful e-commerce business means keeping an eye on your expenses, especially reseller fees. These costs can quickly build up, eating into your profits if not managed carefully. But with a few smart strategies, you can minimize the costs and keep more money in your pocket. Here's how to do it:

• Optimize the pricing strategy - Price your items strategically to avoid unnecessary fees on high-priced items.
• Use free listings - Take advantage of eBay's monthly free listing allowance to avoid insertion fees.
• Subscribe to an eBay store - Choose a store subscription plan that fits your reselling volume to benefit from lower fees.
• Avoid promoted listings for low-margin items - Use promotions selectively for items with higher profit margins.
• Combine shipping - Offer combined shipping for multiple items to reduce final value fees on shipping costs.
• List in the right category - Make sure your items are listed in the most appropriate category to avoid higher percentage fees.
• Review your fee summary - Regularly check eBay's fee breakdown to identify areas where you can cut costs.

Maximize Profits With the Right Online Selling Tools

What percentage does eBay take on sales? Understanding this will maximize your profits and manage your online sales effectively. From final value fees to optional upgrades and subscription plans, each charge impacts your bottom line. But why limit your sales to just one online marketplace platform? 

With Zipsale, a powerful crossposting app, you can expand your reach effortlessly by listing your items across multiple online marketplaces. Simplify the entire process with top-notch multichannel listing software, save time, and boost your earnings. Sign up with Zipsale today and see the difference for yourself.