Everything You Need to Know About eBay Fees: 2025

Starting to sell on eBay can be daunting, especially when it comes to understanding the fees. Common questions arise, such as: “How much will eBay charge when an item sells?”, “Do listing fees apply to every item?”, “Are there any discounts available?”, and “Can fees be refunded if an item doesn’t sell?” The answers to these questions are important to understand for any eBay seller, and this guide will cover everything you need to know about eBay fees in 2025.

Insertion Fees

An insertion fee is charged when creating a listing.

How much eBay charges:

Up to 200 listings each month are free, or more if a seller has a store.
A final value fee will still apply once the item sells.

How to check free listings: Go to My eBay > Promotional Offers to track available free listings. eBay often runs additional free listing promotions.

Good ‘Til Cancelled Listings: These listings automatically renew every 30 days and incur an insertion fee each month. Items can sell at any time during this period.

Final Value Fees

This fee is charged when an item sells, typically around 12.35% + a $0.30 transaction fee for most categories.

How eBay calculates the fee:

It’s a percentage of the total amount the buyer pays, including shipping.

Refunds: If an item doesn’t sell or is canceled, the final value fee will be refunded.

Fee Overview:

Most categories have a 12.35% final value fee, with exceptions for categories like books, movies, music, and heavy equipment.
Use an eBay fee calculator or check the Seller Hub account summary for an accurate fee breakdown.

You can try this fee and profit calculator.

Extra eBay Listing Fees

Upgrading listings on eBay comes with additional fees. Here’s the breakdown for Good ‘Til Canceled listings under $150:

Bold Listing – $4.50
Gallery Plus – $1.50
International Site Visibility – $0.60
Listing Designer – $0.40
Subtitle – $1.75

Tip: While upgrades can enhance your listing’s visibility, they can add up quickly. Unless these features are essential to the listing, it’s best to keep upgrades to a minimum.

How to Save Money on eBay Listings

There are several ways to minimize fees and maximize profits on eBay:

Take advantage of promotions
eBay often offers promotions like 50% off final value fees or 100 free zero insertion fee listings.
Avoid upgrading listings
Optional listing upgrades can quickly increase your costs. Use them only when necessary.
Charge buyers for shipping
Buyers are generally willing to pay for shipping, and offering free shipping can eat into your profit margins.
Buy an eBay store
Having an eBay store reduces final value fees. It also comes with hundreds or even thousands of free listings each month. Check out more about store costs and benefits in the post: Should You Buy an eBay Store?

All About eBay Managed Payments

eBay transitioned to Managed Payments, allowing sellers to receive payments directly into their bank accounts without relying on PayPal. This system continues to simplify the payment process for both buyers and sellers in 2025.

Why the switch to Managed Payments?

Simpler for Buyers:
More payment options are available, including credit, debit, gift cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal. This offers a smoother and more flexible payment experience for customers.

Convenience for Sellers:
Funds are automatically transferred to a seller’s bank account, with payouts processed on weekdays within two business days after order confirmation.

Streamlined Operations:
Everything from fees to reports, returns, and shipping labels is simplified, making it easier for sellers to manage their business. eBay now offers a more integrated and user-friendly experience, reducing the complexity of managing transactions and providing consolidated reports.

Final Tips for eBay Sellers

eBay fees can seem intimidating at first, but with experience, it becomes easier to navigate them. The key is to charge buyers for shipping and avoid unnecessary upgrades to listings.

Remember: each fee is essentially an investment in advertising your items to potential buyers. Don’t be discouraged by occasional challenges, such as a difficult return or a lower-than-expected sale price. With every sale, the process gets easier and more rewarding.

Key Takeaways for Successful Selling:

Don’t overinvest in inventory. The goal is to make a profit at the point of purchase.
Price items slightly above average selling prices.
Stay organized and ship items promptly to maintain customer satisfaction.
Reevaluate listings that aren’t selling and refresh photos if necessary.

Above all, consistency is key. The more listings you post, the more sales you’ll make. Keep listing, and the profits will follow.