How much does eBay take from a sale? Worked examples

The two parts of the fee

The final value fee is a percentage of the order total, which includes the item price, shipping charged to the buyer, and sales tax. In most categories the standard rate is 13.6%, and some categories are higher or lower.

The per-order fee is a flat amount added to each order. As of September 2026 it is $0.30 on orders of $10 or less and $0.40 on larger orders.

Example 1: a $5 item with free shipping

The final value fee is 13.6% of $5.00, which is $0.68. Add the $0.30 per-order fee and eBay takes $0.98, leaving $4.02 before your cost, shipping, and any ad fee.

On low-priced items the flat fee matters more than it looks. Nearly 20% of this sale goes to eBay.

Example 2: a $50 item with free shipping

13.6% of $50.00 is $6.80. Add the $0.40 per-order fee and eBay takes $7.20, leaving $42.80 before your own costs.

Example 3: a $50 item with $8 buyer-paid shipping

The fee applies to the $58.00 total, not just the $50 item. 13.6% of $58.00 is $7.89. Add $0.40 and eBay takes $8.29.

Charging for shipping does not make it free money. You pay a fee on it, and your actual postage cost comes out of what is left.

What the estimate leaves out

Promoted Listings ad fees, eBay Store subscriptions, international fees, returns, and category-specific tiers for high-value items are not in these numbers. Check your category's current rate before you rely on an estimate.

• Rates change, so confirm them against eBay's own fee page
• Store subscribers often pay a lower percentage in some categories
• Always subtract your item cost and real postage to find profit

Check your own category

FlipHall's eBay fees pages list the first-tier rate by category with and without a Store. The fee calculator and listing estimates apply published category rates, price tiers and per-order fees, with advertising separate. Completed orders use the actual charges imported from eBay.