How much does eBay take per sale? (2026, with real examples)
Short answer: on a typical US sale in most categories, eBay takes about 14% to 16% of what the buyer pays, including shipping and sales tax. Cheap items lose a bigger share because of the fixed per-order fee.
The fees on every eBay sale
- Final value fee: 13.6% of the total amount of the sale in most categories, up to $7,500 per item, then 2.35% on the part above $7,500.
- Per-order fee: $0.40 on orders over $10, or $0.30 on orders of $10 or less.
- Insertion fee: your first 250 listings each month are free, then $0.35 per listing. Store subscribers get more free listings.
- International fee: 1.65% when the buyer is outside the US, unless you use eBay International Shipping.
The "total amount of the sale" includes the item price, the shipping the buyer pays, handling and sales tax. That is why your real fee rate is higher than 13.6% of the item price.
What eBay takes at different prices
US seller, most categories, buyer pays $4.95 shipping, sales tax not shown, no promoted listing.
| Item price | Buyer pays | eBay fees | % of sale |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10 | $14.95 | $2.43 | 16.3% |
| $25 | $29.95 | $4.47 | 14.9% |
| $50 | $54.95 | $7.87 | 14.3% |
| $100 | $104.95 | $14.67 | 14.0% |
If sales tax is collected, the final value fee is charged on it too, so the dollar amount goes up a little.
Free calculatorSee the exact eBay fees for your itemEnter your price, shipping and costs. See every fee, your real profit and margin.Open the eBay fee calculator →Costs that make it higher
- Promoted Listings: an extra ad rate you choose (often 2% to 10%) on sales that came through the ad.
- Below Standard surcharge: an extra 6% on final value fees if your account falls below standard, 7% after four months.
- Shipping labels you buy on eBay are deducted from your payouts.
How to keep more of each eBay sale
- Price with about 15% in fees in mind, not 13.6%.
- Bundle cheap items. The $0.40 per-order fee hurts most under $20.
- Keep your seller level above standard to avoid the surcharge.
- Only promote listings where your margin can absorb the ad rate.
Common questions
Does eBay charge fees on shipping?
Yes. The 13.6% final value fee is charged on the total the buyer pays, including shipping and sales tax.
Is eBay cheaper than Etsy?
Usually not for small items. On a $25 item with $4.95 shipping, eBay takes about $4.47 and Etsy about $3.30, unless the Etsy sale came from an Offsite Ad. Compare both on the all-platforms page.
Are some categories cheaper?
Yes. Some categories, such as certain collectibles, sneakers and business equipment, have different rates. Check eBay's fee table for your category.
Rates from eBay's published US fee schedule, checked October 2026. eBay can change fees, so confirm on eBay before pricing. FeeMath is independent and not affiliated with eBay.