eBay Profit & Fee Calculator
Calculate your net earnings after Final Value Fees and expenses.
Understanding the eBay Fee Structure
Selling on eBay can be highly lucrative, but many sellers are caught off guard by the complex fee structure. To run a successful e-commerce business, you must account for Final Value Fees, listing upgrades, and shipping costs before listing your items.
How eBay Final Value Fees Work
In most categories, eBay charges a percentage of the total amount of the sale, which includes the item price, any handling charges, the shipping service the buyer selects, and sales tax. As of the current managed payments system, the standard fee for most categories is 13.25% plus a $0.30 fixed per-order fee.
Key Factors That Impact Your Profit
- Category Variances: Media categories like books, movies, and music often have higher fees (around 15%), while high-value electronics or heavy equipment may have lower percentage tiers.
- Promoted Listings: If you use eBay's advertising tools, you agree to pay an additional percentage of the sale price if a buyer clicks on your ad and purchases within 30 days.
- Store Subscriptions: Sellers with a Basic, Premium, or Anchor Store subscription often benefit from reduced Final Value Fees and more free listing insertions.
- Shipping Arbitrage: Charging the buyer more for shipping than what you actually pay can slightly increase your profit, but remember that eBay takes their fee percentage from the shipping total as well.
Example Calculation
Suppose you sell a vintage camera for $100 and charge $15 for shipping. The buyer pays $115 total (excluding tax). If your item cost was $40 and shipping costs you $10:
- Total Revenue: $115.00
- eBay Fee (13.25% + $0.30): $15.54
- Expenses (Cost + Shipping): $50.00
- Net Profit: $49.46
FAQs for eBay Sellers
Does eBay take a fee on shipping?
Yes. eBay calculates the Final Value Fee based on the "Total Amount of Sale," which explicitly includes the shipping cost paid by the buyer. This prevents sellers from listing items for $0.01 and charging $100 for shipping to avoid fees.
What is the $0.30 fee?
This is a fixed per-order transaction fee that eBay charges regardless of the item's price. If a buyer purchases multiple items from you in one transaction, you only pay this $0.30 fee once for the entire order.
How can I lower my eBay fees?
Becoming a "Top Rated Seller" can earn you a 10% discount on Final Value Fees. Additionally, opening an eBay Store can lower your category fee percentages if you sell in high volumes.