How eBay fees work
Most of what eBay charges is the final value fee: a percentage of the total amount of the sale, which includes the item price, shipping and handling, and the sales tax the buyer pays. For most categories it is 13.6% on the first $7,500 and 2.35% above that. Some categories differ: books, movies and music are 15.3%; trading cards and non-bullion coins 13.25%; guitars and basses 6.7%; jewelry and watches 15% up to $5,000 then 9%; women's handbags 15% up to $2,000 then 9%; and athletic shoes priced at $150 or more just 8% with no per-order fee.
On top of that comes a per-order fee of $0.30 on orders of $10 or less and $0.40 above. eBay adds 1.65% when the buyer's address is outside the US. Promoted Listings add your chosen ad rate when a sale comes through an ad. Sellers rated Below Standard pay an extra 6% (7% after four months).
Worked example
You sell a jacket for $100 with $10 shipping, and the buyer pays 7% sales tax. The total amount of the sale is $117.70. The final value fee is 13.6% × $117.70 = $16.01, plus the $0.40 per-order fee, so eBay takes $16.41. After the $40 you paid for the jacket and $9 postage, you keep $44.59.
If that sale came through a 5% promoted listing, add $5.89 in ad fees. A pair of sneakers sold for $200 instead pays only 8%: $17.12 on a $214 total, with no per-order fee.
Fees on tax and shipping are why eBay's effective rate is higher than the headline 13.6%. Compare with the Etsy fee calculator if you sell handmade or vintage on both platforms.
Limitations
Rates are for US sellers without an eBay Store subscription. Store subscribers get lower final value fees in many categories. Insertion fees ($0.35 per listing after 250 free listings a month), optional listing upgrades, eBay Motors, and the currency conversion charge for sellers paid in another currency are not included.
Sources
eBay selling fees (US), checked October 7, 2026.