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What does eBay really take from a sale?
You get up to 250 free listings a month, and eBay’s final value fee in most categories is 13.6% of the total sale, plus a per-order fee.
eBay charges an insertion fee to list and a final value fee when an item sells. The final value fee is worked out on the total amount of the sale.
What do you need for eBay?
- Things to sellFrom your home, or bought to resell.
- Photos and honest descriptionsBuyers can return items.
- A way to shipShipping cost is part of your sum.
What comes off each sale
| Fee | Amount | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Free listings | Up to 250 a month | Then $0.35 per listing, in most categories |
| Final value fee | 13.6% in most categories | On the total sale up to $7,500, plus a per-order fee |
| Books, music, film | 15.3% | See eBay’s table for other categories |
| Above $7,500 | 2.35% | On the portion above that |
On a $50 sale at 13.6% the fee is $6.80, before the per-order fee. That is our sum. eBay says this covers payment processing, so there is no separate third-party fee.
What it adds up to
| Sales of $50 a month | Final value fees at 13.6% | Left before per-order fees |
|---|---|---|
| 10 sales | $68 | $432 |
| 50 sales | $340 | $2,160 |
| 100 sales | $680 | $4,320 |
Within the 250 free listings, before what the items and postage cost you. Our sums on eBay’s numbers above: an example, not a promise.
When does eBay pay you?
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Paid out at | On demand, or on a schedule you pick |
| First money | Usually available within 48 hours of the buyer’s payment, unless held. Your bank then takes 1 to 3 business days |
What is the catch with eBay?
- Insertion fees above your free allowance are not refunded if the item does not sell.
- A listing in two categories pays for the second.
- Rates vary by category, so check eBay’s table.
How to start with eBay
- Start with what you ownIt costs nothing to source.
- Check your category’s rateIt changes your margin.
- Include shipping in your sumThe fee is on the total.
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Sources
- eBay: selling fees, checked 5 Nov 2026
- eBay Help: getting paid for items you’ve sold, checked 5 Nov 2026