How do I calculate profit after eBay fees and shipping?
Profit = sale price + shipping the buyer pays − eBay fees − your shipping and packaging − what you paid. For most categories, eBay fees are 13.6% of the total sale amount (item, shipping and sales tax) plus $0.30 per order ($10 or less) or $0.40 (over $10). The calculator below does it for you, by category.
Runs entirely in your browser: nothing you type is uploaded or saved. Fees use eBay's published rates for US sellers without an eBay Store (source, checked 2026-10-07).
Worked example
The calculator starts with an illustrative example (made-up numbers, not market data): a find you paid $8 for sells for $40 in a "most categories" listing, and the buyer pays $10 shipping.
- Total sale amount: $40 + $10 = $50 (no sales tax entered)
- eBay fees: 13.6% × $50 = $6.80, plus a $0.40 per-order fee = $7.20
- Net profit: $50 − $7.20 − $10 label and box − $8 paid = $24.80
- For a $20 profit target, the most you could have paid: $50 − $7.20 − $10 − $20 = $12.80
That last number is the one to know before you buy. The garage sale buying guide explains how to pick a realistic sold price and profit target at yard sales, estate sales and thrift stores. To find the sale price in the first place, see how to check eBay sold prices while thrifting.
eBay final value fees by category
US sellers without an eBay Store, as published on eBay's selling fees page (checked 2026-10-07). Every category also has the per-order fee: $0.30 on orders of $10 or less, $0.40 on orders over $10 (except sneakers at $150 or more). Store subscribers and categories not listed here use other rates; check the page for yours.
| Category | Final value fee |
|---|---|
| Most categories | 13.6% of the total up to $7,500, plus 2.35% of the portion over $7,500 |
| Books, movies & music | 15.3% up to $7,500, plus 2.35% of the portion over $7,500 |
| Coins & paper money (except bullion) | 13.25% up to $7,500, plus 2.35% of the portion over $7,500 |
| Trading cards & collectible card games | 13.25% up to $7,500, plus 2.35% of the portion over $7,500 |
| Bullion | 13.6% if the total is $7,500 or less; 7% if it is over $7,500 |
| Jewelry & watches (except watch parts & accessories) | 15% if the total is $5,000 or less; 9% if it is over $5,000 |
| Watches, parts & accessories | 15% up to $1,000, 6.5% of the portion from $1,000 to $7,500, 3% of the portion over $7,500 |
| Women's bags & handbags | 15% if the total is $2,000 or less; 9% if it is over $2,000 |
| Athletic shoes (sneakers) | 13.6% if the total is under $150; 8% and no per-order fee at $150 or more |
| Guitars & basses | 6.7% up to $7,500, plus 2.35% of the portion over $7,500 |
The fee is charged on the total amount of the sale: item price, shipping and handling the buyer pays, sales tax and any other applicable fees. eBay may add a percentage to final value fees for sellers rated below standard or with a very high rate of "item not as described" returns.
Skip the typing at the sale
Honest Haul is an iPhone app, coming soon to the App Store, that runs this math from a photo: snap a find, enter the tag price, and see a low / typical / high resale range, profit after estimated fees and shipping, the most you should pay, and a Buy / Maybe / Pass call, with one tap to real eBay sold listings.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate profit after eBay fees and shipping?
Profit = sale price + shipping the buyer pays − eBay fees − your shipping label and packaging − what you paid for the item. eBay fees are the final value fee (a percentage of the total sale amount, including shipping and sales tax) plus a per-order fee of $0.30 on orders of $10 or less or $0.40 on larger orders.
What percentage does eBay take when you sell something?
For most categories, sellers without an eBay Store pay a final value fee of 13.6% of the total sale amount up to $7,500 (2.35% on the portion above that), plus the $0.30 or $0.40 per-order fee, according to eBay's selling fees page (checked 2026-10-07). Books, movies and music, coins, trading cards, jewelry, watches, handbags, sneakers and guitars use different rates, listed on this page.
Does eBay charge fees on shipping?
Yes. The final value fee is calculated on the total amount of the sale, which includes the shipping and handling the buyer pays and the sales tax. So charging the buyer for shipping still costs you the fee percentage on that shipping amount.
How do I work out the most I can pay for an item to resell on eBay?
Start from the recent sold price, add any shipping the buyer pays, then subtract the eBay fees, your shipping and packaging cost, and the profit you want. What is left is the most you can pay. The calculator on this page does this when you enter a target profit.
What does this calculator not include?
Optional and account-specific costs: Promoted Listings ad fees, international fees, listing upgrades, eBay Store subscription rates, extra fees for below-standard seller performance, and returns. Add any of those to your shipping and packaging cost if they apply to you.
Sources
- eBay: Selling fees — final value fees by category and the per-order fee (checked 2026-10-07).
This calculator is general information, not financial or tax advice. eBay is a trademark of eBay Inc.; Honest Haul is not affiliated with eBay. Fees change, so confirm on eBay before you rely on a number.