eBay Fee & Profit Calculator
Calculate your precise eBay fees and net profit margin for 2024.
Understanding eBay Selling Fees
Selling on eBay can be lucrative, but the fee structure is often complex for new and experienced sellers alike. To accurately calculate your take-home pay, you must account for multiple variables including the Final Value Fee (FVF), category-specific percentages, and promotional costs.
1. The Final Value Fee (FVF)
Most sellers pay a Final Value Fee which consists of a percentage of the total amount of the sale, plus a fixed $0.30 per order. The "total amount of the sale" includes the item price, any handling charges, the shipping service the buyer selects, and sales tax (though eBay calculates its fee on the pre-tax amount in many scenarios, this calculator focuses on the seller's gross revenue).
2. Store Subscriptions vs. Individual Sellers
If you have an eBay Store subscription (Basic or higher), your Final Value Fee percentages are typically lower (often around 12.35%) compared to non-store sellers (standard 13.25%). This calculator allows you to toggle between these rates to see if a store subscription would save you money.
3. Promoted Listings
Promoted Listings is eBay's advertising tool. If you opt-in, you agree to pay an additional percentage of the item's final sale price if a buyer clicks on the ad and purchases the item within 30 days. This is a powerful way to gain visibility but can significantly eat into your margins.
Example Calculation
Suppose you sell a vintage camera for $100.00 and charge the buyer $15.00 for shipping. Your total collected is $115.00.
- Variable Fee (13.25%): $15.24
- Fixed Fee: $0.30
- Total eBay Fees: $15.54
- Net Revenue: $99.46
From that $99.46, you still need to subtract the original cost of the camera and the actual postage you paid to determine your true profit.
Tips to Increase Your Profit
- Use Free Supplies: Reuse boxes and packing materials to lower your overhead.
- Compare Shipping Labels: Use eBay's discounted labels or services like Pirate Ship to save up to 40% over retail post office rates.
- Analyze High-Volume Categories: Some categories like Heavy Equipment or Musical Instruments have significantly lower fee caps.