If you’re selling on eBay, one of the first questions you’ll ask is, “What percentage do eBay take in 2026?” Understanding eBay’s real selling costs is essential for protecting your profits and running a successful online store. Many sellers overlook how fees impact their final earnings, which can lead to pricing mistakes and unexpected payout surprises.
In this guide, we’ll break down eBay’s fee structure, explain how different charges affect your sales, and share practical tips to help you manage costs and make smarter selling decisions.
What Percentage Does eBay Take from Your Sales in 2026?
eBay charges multiple fees when you sell, but the main cost that affects your profit is the final value fee — that’s the percentage eBay takes from the total sale price (item + shipping). In 2026, most sellers will pay a much clearer version of this fee thanks to updated fee rules.
Updated Final Value Fees (2026)
In 2026, eBay’s base final value fee for most categories is around 13.6% of the total amount paid by the buyer (including shipping).
Here’s how it normally works:
- Most categories: ~13.6%
- Books, DVDs & Music: ~15.3%
- Jewelry & Watches: ~15%
- Guitars & heavy gear: lower rates (as low as ~6.7%)
- Heavy equipment: ~3% on many listings
👉 Pro tip: On very high‑value items (over a certain threshold like $7,500) the percentage above that threshold drops significantly — sometimes as low as ~2.35% — meaning you pay a smaller rate on the high‑end part of the sale.
Per‑Order Fees Don’t Count as a Percentage
In addition to the percentage fee above, eBay also charges a per‑order fee on every sale:
- $0.30 for orders $10 or less
- $0.40 for orders over $10
This fixed fee isn’t a percentage, but it increases your effective percentage on smaller item sales.
How Does eBay Charge Listing (Insertion) Fees?
Besides the final value fee, eBay can charge a listing (insertion) fee when you create a listing:
- eBay gives sellers a large number of free listings per month (e.g., hundreds before you start paying).
- Once you exceed free listings, each new listing costs around $0.35 (category‑dependent).
Listing fees apply even if your item doesn’t sell, so plan carefully — especially if you list many products.
Do Store Subscriptions Reduce Fees?
If you have an eBay Store subscription, you may get:
- Lower final value fees in many categories
- Higher free listing allowances
- Tools that help you manage and scale listings
Store subscriptions can make a big difference to your net profit, especially if you sell high volumes.
Are There Any Additional eBay Fees to Be Aware Of?
Beyond listing and final value fees, eBay can charge other fees depending on your selling options:
- PayPal Fees: Although eBay now handles its own payments, if you’re still using PayPal, you’ll face an additional 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction fee for each sale. Keep in mind that this fee is separate from eBay’s final value fee.
- Promoted Listings Fees: If you want your products to stand out, eBay offers a “Promoted Listings” option where you pay a fee to increase visibility. This fee is percentage-based, and you decide how much you’re willing to pay based on a percentage of your sale price. Most sellers pay between 2% and 5% for this service.
- Subscription Fees: If you decide to upgrade your seller account to a Store Subscription, you’ll pay a monthly fee. eBay offers several tiers, ranging from $4.95 per month for a Basic Store to $299.95 per month for a Premium Store. This can be a good investment if you plan to sell a large volume of items.
How to Minimize eBay Fees and Increase Profit Margins
Knowing what percentage do eBay take is one thing, but understanding how to minimize those fees and maximize your profits is essential to success on the platform. Here are some effective strategies to help you reduce fees and increase your profit margins:
1. Use Free Listings
Make the most of eBay’s 50 free listings per month. What Percentage Do eBay Take? is a great way to avoid listing fees if you’re just starting out or only need to list a small number of items each month. To make the most of these free listings, plan your listings carefully to ensure that only your most valuable items are posted, saving you from unnecessary costs. Keep track of your monthly listing allowance so that you don’t exceed it, avoiding the extra $0.30 per listing fee.
2. Consider an eBay Store Subscription
If you plan on listing a lot of items, upgrading to an eBay Store Subscription can help you save money on listing fees. eBay offers several subscription tiers, including Basic, Premium, and Anchor stores. A store subscription provides unlimited free listings, allowing you to list as many items as you want without incurring extra fees.
Additionally, a store subscription gives you access to increased exposure and marketing tools to help boost your sales.
For more details on what percentage do eBay take and eBay Store Subscriptions, you can check out the official eBay page here.
Are There Any Additional eBay Fees to Be Aware Of in 2026?
Beyond listing and final value fees, eBay may charge additional fees depending on the selling tools and options you choose:
Managed Payments vs. PayPal Fees
In 2026, most eBay sellers use eBay’s Managed Payments system, which consolidates all costs into one payout — meaning you no longer pay a separate PayPal fee. However:
- If you still use PayPal for checkout (rare in 2026), typical fees are 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction.
- This is separate from eBay’s final value fee and can reduce your net profit, so transitioning to eBay Managed Payments is generally recommended.
Promoted Listings Fees
Want extra visibility? eBay offers Promoted Listings, where you only pay when your item sells through a promoted placement.
- Fees are percentage‑based, set by you (generally between 2% and 5% of the sale price).
- You choose the ad rate, and higher rates can lead to better exposure, but higher cost.
Subscription Fees (Store Plans)
If you sell frequently, an eBay Store subscription can reduce your overall cost by increasing free listing limits and lowering final value fees.
In 2026, typical store tier options include:
- Basic Store — lowest monthly cost, increased free listings
- Premium / Anchor Store — higher fee, but strongest fee discounts and seller tools
Store subscription costs can range from a low monthly fee up to higher tiers for power sellers, but the fee savings and tools can outweigh the cost if you sell at scale.
How to Minimize eBay Fees and Increase Profit Margins
Knowing what percentage eBay takes is just the first step — maximizing profit means reducing fees wherever possible. Here are effective ways to keep more of your revenue:
1. Use Free Listings Strategically
Take full advantage of eBay’s monthly free listings — for new sellers, that’s often 50+ free insertions every month.
To optimize:
- Prioritize your most profitable items during free listing slots.
- Track your usage so you don’t exceed the allowance and incur the ~$0.30 insertion fee per extra listing.
By matching free slots to high‑value products, you reduce upfront costs and preserve ROI.
2. Consider an eBay Store Subscription
If you’re listing frequently, an eBay Store often saves more than it costs:
- Unlimited free listings in many categories
- Lower final value fee percentages in some categories
- Access to seller tools like promotions, markdowns, and reports
For high‑volume sellers, the subscription cost can pay for itself through fee reduction and increased sales exposure.
3. Optimize Your Listings for Better Sales
High-quality listings attract more buyers and reduce the need for paid promotions. To make the most of your eBay store in 2026:
- Use clear, high-resolution photos: Buyers are more likely to purchase items with professional-looking images.
- Write detailed descriptions: The more information you provide, the more buyers trust your listing.
- Ensure accurate item specifics: Accurate details improve your eBay search ranking and increase visibility, helping you sell faster.
An optimized listing can reduce the need for Promoted Listings and other paid options, which helps you save on additional costs.
4. Be Strategic with Promotions
Promoted Listings can boost your product visibility on eBay. However, it’s important to avoid overspending:
- Start with a modest advertising budget.
- Track which listings get the most traction.
- Focus your promotion on items with the best return on investment.
By being strategic, you can minimize extra fees while maximizing your profits and exposure.
5. Leverage eBay’s Promotional Discounts
eBay often runs promotional offers for sellers, including discounts on final value fees or special incentives:
- Monitor eBay seller newsletters and platform announcements.
- Take advantage of limited-time fee reductions to lower your costs.
- Combine discounts with high-quality listings to increase overall profitability.
For more tips on saving on what percentage do eBay take, visit PlugBooks.io, where we provide resources to help sellers optimize their eCommerce strategies and maximize profits.
Boost Your eBay Sales with PlugBooks
Managing eBay fees and optimizing your listings can be challenging, but PlugBooks makes it easier for sellers to maximize profits. With tools and resources designed for eBay sellers, PlugBooks helps you track fees, plan pricing strategies, and improve your sales performance — all in one place.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced seller, PlugBooks provides actionable insights to reduce costs and grow your business efficiently.
FAQs
1. What percentage will eBay take in 2026?
Final value fees range from 10% to 13.6% depending on your item category, plus listing and promotional fees.
2. How can I reduce eBay fees?
Optimize your listings, use free listings, leverage promotional discounts, and choose the right Store subscription to minimize costs.
3. Are there extra fees for promoted listings?
Yes, promoted listings charge 2–5% of the sale price, applied only when your item sells through the promotion.
4. Does PlugBooks help manage eBay fees?
Absolutely. PlugBooks tracks fees, analyzes your sales, and provides strategies to optimize pricing and boost profits.
5. Should I upgrade to an eBay Store subscription?
If you list frequently, a Store subscription gives more free listings, lower fees, and tools that help increase sales efficiently.
Conclusion
In 2026, eBay’s final value fees range from 10% to 13.6% depending on your category. Add listing, per-order, and promotional fees to see total costs. By optimizing listings, using promotions wisely, and leveraging discounts, you can reduce fees and boost profits. For more tips, visit PlugBooks.io.
