HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO SELL ON EBAY

At Lillian Purge, we specialise in Ecommerce SEO Services and have developed comprehensive guidance on How Much Does it Cost to Sell on eBay.

The total cost of selling on eBay depends on the type of items you sell, your selling plan, and any optional upgrades you use. In general, you’ll pay a combination of insertion fees, final value fees, and optional feature costs. eBay also charges additional fees for international sales, promoted listings, and payment processing.

In most cases, these charges are deducted automatically from your total sale before funds are released to your account, which makes the process simple but requires careful pricing to maintain profit margins.

eBay selling plans

Before listing items, you’ll choose how you want to sell: either as a private seller or a business seller. Private sellers often list smaller quantities or one-off items, while business sellers trade more regularly or run a registered company.

eBay offers two primary account types:

  • Private account – free to set up, with a limited number of free listings each month. Suitable for casual sellers clearing personal items.

  • Business account – allows access to advanced tools, reporting, and eBay Shop subscriptions. Required if you sell items you’ve bought to resell or make products for sale.

If you’re running an ongoing operation, registering as a business seller ensures compliance with UK trading laws and gives you access to better visibility tools.

eBay Shop subscription costs

Business sellers can choose from several eBay Shop plans that offer lower fees and additional features. Prices are based on a monthly subscription, with savings available if you pay annually.

  • Starter Shop – £25 per month. Ideal for small businesses or occasional sellers, with 250 fixed-price listings included.

  • Basic Shop – £69 per month. Offers 1,000 fixed-price listings and access to promotional tools.

  • Featured Shop – £399 per month. Designed for established sellers with up to 10,000 listings, advanced reporting, and priority support.

  • Anchor Shop – £1,149 per month. Aimed at high-volume sellers, with unlimited fixed-price listings and maximum exposure across eBay.

Each plan reduces your insertion and final value fees compared to non-subscribers, which can be significant if you list large volumes.

Insertion fees

Insertion fees are what eBay charges you to list an item for sale. These apply per listing and vary depending on your subscription level and category.

  • Private sellers receive up to 1,000 free listings per month. After that, there’s a 35p fee per additional listing.

  • Business sellers get a number of free listings included in their Shop plan. Beyond that, insertion fees start from around 10p per item.

If you list the same product in multiple categories, you’ll pay an insertion fee for each category. Certain premium categories such as vehicles or property have higher listing fees.

Final value fees

Once your item sells, eBay charges a final value fee as a percentage of the total transaction. This includes the item price, shipping cost, and any taxes collected. The fee is automatically deducted from your payout.

For most categories, the final value fee is 12.8% of the total sale amount plus a fixed £0.30 per order. However, this varies by category. For example:

  • Electronics: around 8–10%

  • Fashion and accessories: around 11–12%

  • Collectables: typically 10–12%

  • Motors: can be up to 10% depending on listing type

If you sell high-value items or large quantities, these fees can add up quickly, so it’s vital to factor them into your pricing strategy.

Promoted listings fees

If you use eBay’s Promoted Listings to increase visibility, you’ll pay an additional fee based on a percentage of the item’s sale price. This fee only applies when the promoted ad results in a sale.

The cost varies depending on your chosen ad rate, which can be set manually or automatically based on competition. Rates usually range between 2% and 10%. For many businesses, promoted listings are worthwhile as they significantly increase visibility in search results.

International selling fees

If you sell to buyers outside the UK, additional fees may apply. eBay’s International Selling Programme simplifies shipping by handling customs and delivery, but eBay charges extra for cross-border transactions.

These include:

  • A slightly higher final value fee for international orders.

  • Currency conversion fees when funds are paid out in a different currency (typically around 3%).

Shipping costs also increase for international delivery, so offering transparent pricing and delivery times is essential.

Payment processing fees

eBay manages payments directly, meaning all sellers must use its integrated system. Once a buyer completes a purchase, eBay processes the payment and transfers funds to your linked bank account, usually within two working days.

Payment processing fees are built into the final value fee for most sellers. However, in certain categories or for international transactions, additional charges may apply. These are typically between 1.5% and 3% depending on currency and location.

Optional listing upgrades

eBay offers a range of paid listing upgrades designed to improve visibility and engagement. Examples include:

  • Subtitle – adds a short description under the title (from £1.50 per listing).

  • Bold title – makes your listing stand out in search results (around £2).

  • Reserve price – sets a minimum acceptable price (3.5% of reserve value, up to £150).

  • Gallery Plus – displays larger product images (around £2.50).

While these can improve exposure, they’re best used strategically to avoid unnecessary costs.

Costs for refunds and returns

If a buyer returns an item or a transaction is cancelled, eBay may refund part of your fees but not all. In most cases, you’ll recover the variable portion of the final value fee, but the fixed £0.30 transaction charge is retained.

Sellers must also consider the cost of handling returns, which can include postage, restocking, and loss of original shipping expenses.

Managing fees effectively

The most successful eBay sellers keep tight control over their costs by regularly reviewing performance and adjusting pricing. Here are a few effective approaches:

  1. Include fees in your pricing – Always calculate eBay fees, shipping, and packaging costs before setting prices. Use eBay’s fee calculator to check profit margins.

  2. Upgrade to a Shop plan when volumes rise – Even a modest increase in sales can justify a higher-tier plan that reduces per-item costs.

  3. Optimise listings for search – Use clear titles, detailed descriptions, and professional images to attract buyers without paying for optional upgrades.

  4. Use promoted listings strategically – Focus your ad budget on best-selling or high-margin products rather than promoting everything.

  5. Encourage repeat business – Reduce reliance on paid promotions by building a loyal customer base through excellent service and follow-up emails.

Challenges for eBay sellers

eBay’s fee structure is competitive, but it can become complex for high-volume or international sellers. Common challenges include:

  • Multiple overlapping fees that make profitability harder to track.

  • Increased costs when using optional features or promoted listings.

  • Fee adjustments when eBay updates its pricing policies.

  • Difficulty comparing eBay’s costs to other marketplaces like Amazon or Etsy due to differing models.

Despite these challenges, eBay remains one of the most accessible and trusted platforms for reaching a broad audience, especially for niche products or refurbished goods.

Alternatives and complementary marketplaces

While eBay is a leading global platform, it’s worth exploring complementary or alternative options depending on your business type.

  • Amazon – Better suited to brand-new products and fast fulfilment through FBA.

  • Etsy – Ideal for handmade, vintage, or unique items with a creative audience.

  • Facebook Marketplace – Free listings with local reach, though less structure for business management.

  • Shopify – Offers complete control and brand ownership for established sellers.

Many businesses use eBay alongside their own ecommerce website to diversify sales channels and reduce reliance on any single platform.

Expert advice for eBay success

To stay profitable, successful eBay sellers treat their operation like a business, not a side hustle. Accurate record-keeping, professional presentation, and regular fee analysis are essential. Keep your listings consistent with SEO best practices to increase organic visibility within eBay’s own search algorithm, Cassini.

Invest in strong product photography and clear descriptions to reduce returns. Respond quickly to messages and maintain high feedback ratings, as this improves your seller ranking and can lower final value fees.

Finally, use eBay analytics to track which products sell best and which incur high costs. Streamlining your listings based on performance data helps improve overall profitability and reduces wasted fees.

Conclusion

Selling on eBay can be highly profitable when you understand how its fees work. Costs typically include insertion and final value fees, optional upgrades, and possible international or advertising charges. By selecting the right selling plan, pricing strategically, and focusing on customer experience, you can build a sustainable business with healthy margins. For ecommerce brands looking to scale, eBay remains one of the most powerful and trusted platforms in the UK.

We have also written in depth articles on How to Sell on eBay and Is It Worth Opening an eBay Shop UK? as well as our eBay Hub to give you further guidance.