You list an item, make a sale, and then… eBay takes its cut. That’s the moment many sellers ask, “Wait, how much is eBay charging me?”
The eBay percentage fee isn’t random — it’s a calculated fee that affects your real profit. If you understand it clearly, you can set better prices, avoid surprises, and keep more money in your pocket.
Here’s what we’re going to break down together:
- What is eBay fee percentage
- Does eBay take a percentage of shipping fees too
- How to actually calculate your real earnings
- Common fee misunderstandings
- Smart tricks to reduce what you pay
Let’s clear the fog so your next sale doesn’t come with a surprise bill.
What Is eBay Percentage Fee?
Okay, let’s keep things really easy.
eBay essentially says, “Thanks for selling on our platform,” through the % charge. This is our cut.
It’s often a certain proportion of your overall sales, however the exact amount may vary slightly based on the product you’re selling.
👉 For instance:
For $100, you sell something.
eBay’s percentage cost will be $13.25 if your category fee is 13.25%.
The real amount you receive, before any payment processing, is $100 minus $13.25 = $86.75.
Indeed, that is precisely what people are looking for when they search for “what is eBay fee percentage.” It is the price of your item multiplied by eBay’s percentage rate.
Just a heads up: Rates vary by category. Collectibles, apparel, and electronics don’t all have the same percentage.
Does eBay Take a Percentage of Shipping Fees?
A lot of new vendors don’t see this one coming.
Short answer? Yes.
eBay also takes into account the cost of shipping when figuring out your fees.
Why? Some vendors used to try to be smart by charging $1 for an item and $50 for shipping to avoid expenses. eBay knew that would happen.
Time for an example:
- Cost of the item: $80
- $20 for shipping
- $100 in total
- The fee is $13.25, which is 13.25% of the full $100, not just the $80.
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Does eBay take a cut of shipping costs?” The answer is yes. It’s a good idea to keep this in mind when pricing your items.
Step-by-Step: How to Calculate eBay Percentage Fee
You don’t need to use complicated spreadsheets. Here’s a simple approach to figure it out:
Step 1: Add the cost of shipping and the item.
This is the number that eBay uses to figure out how much you owe.
Step 2: Look up the Fee Percentage for Your Type
If you’re just guessing, you can look at eBay’s charge chart or use the average of about 13%.
Step 3: Multiply the total by the percentage.
That’s your eBay fee.
Step 4: Take away the fee and the payment processing.
Now you’ll know how much money you really made.
A quick example:
- The total cost is $100, which includes the item and shipping.
- The eBay fee is $13.25.
- Processing payments costs $3.50.
- Your net is $83.25.
Simple, right?
Common Misunderstandings About eBay Fees
Let’s be honest: eBay’s fees can seem a little deceptive at first. But once you realise what’s true and what’s not, everything goes well.
- ❌ “They don’t charge on shipping.”
→ Oh, they do. Every time. - ❌ “The percentage is the same for everything.”
→ Nope. Different categories, different percentages. - ❌ “I can trick the system with cheap items and expensive shipping.”
→ eBay already thought of that. 🙃 - ❌ “I’ll only pay fees if the buyer pays me.”
→ Fees are based on the sale, not your bank account.
The sooner you get this, the better your pricing approach will be.
Smart Tips to Pay Less in eBay Fees
You can’t avoid costs totally (unless you stop selling 😅), but you can definitely spend less smartly:
- Don’t add extra costs to shipping rates that don’t need to be there.
- Choose the right category; the wrong one could cost you extra.
- Don’t run expensive promotions; run smart ones.
- Always figure out how much eBay will charge you before you list anything.
- Keep an eye on your sales and fees so you don’t get any surprises.
Small changes to your prices can save you a lot of money over time.
How Fee Tracking Is Easy with PlugBooks
If you offer a lot of items on eBay, keeping track of each charge by hand can feel like a second job.
That’s why PlugBooks was made. It connects to your eBay account without you knowing and does all the arithmetic for you, saving you hours of time wasted in spreadsheets.
Stop guessing. You won’t have to ask yourself, “Where did my money go?” anymore. Simple numbers that are easy to read and make sense at first glance.
What PlugBooks accomplishes for you is as follows:
- The cost of shipping, and the charge percentage automatically.
- Shows you how much money you made right after each sale.
- 🔗 Works well with Xero and QuickBooks
- Keeps your books nice, organised, and stress-free
It’s like employing a personal accountant for your eBay store, but you don’t have to pay for it.
FAQs About eBay Percentage Fee
Q1: What is eBay’s fee percentage for different products?
A: It depends on the category, but most hover around 12.9%–13.25%. Always check the current rates.
Q2: Does eBay take a percentage of shipping fees too?
A: Yup, they do. The percentage applies to the entire amount — item plus shipping.
Q3: Can I reduce how much eBay charges me?
A: Not fully, but smart pricing and smart shipping can definitely help lower the impact.
Q4: How do I calculate the fee without messing it up?
A: Add item + shipping, multiply by the fee %, subtract processing. Done.
Q5: Are personal and business sellers charged the same percentage?
A: Usually yes, though business accounts may have extra options or discounts depending on volume.
Final Takeaway
- The eBay percentage fee is how eBay takes its cut from your sale.
- If you’re asking “what is eBay fee percentage” — it’s a fixed percent of your total sale.
- And yes, does eBay take a percentage of shipping fees — they sure do.
- Always calculate fees upfront so you don’t get a nasty surprise later.
- Tools like PlugBooks can save you from doing all the math yourself.
In the end, know the fees and keep the money.
If you know where your money is going, selling on eBay may be fun and successful.
Once you understand how eBay’s percentage charge works and why shipping costs are included, you can set pricing that works for you and not just eBay.
If you’d rather sell than do maths, just let PlugBooks take care of the numbers.