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eBay fees in the UK depend first on one question: are you a private seller or a business seller? Private sellers clearing out their homes pay no final value fee on sales to UK buyers. Business sellers pay a percentage of every sale that varies by category, plus a per-order fee, a regulatory fee and VAT.
This guide explains both, with worked examples in pounds.
Private sellers: no final value fee
Since late 2024, private sellers on eBay UK pay no final value fee and no regulatory operating fee on most items sold to buyers in the UK. Buyers pay a Buyer Protection fee instead. A few things still cost money:
- International sales: a 3% fee applies when the buyer is outside the UK.
- Optional upgrades and promoted listings if you choose them.
- Some categories, such as vehicles, have their own fees.
Private seller example
You sell a £40 jacket with £4 postage to a buyer in Manchester. eBay's fees: £0. You receive the full £44. Sell it to a buyer in the US instead and the 3% international fee costs £1.32.
Are you really a private seller?
Selling your own unwanted things is not trading. But if you buy items to resell, make things to sell, or sell regularly to make a profit, you are likely trading and must register as a business seller. HMRC also receives information from eBay about sellers who make 30 or more sales or earn about £1,700 or more in a calendar year. If your trading income goes over the £1,000 trading allowance, you will usually need to register for Self Assessment.
Business sellers: fees by category
Business sellers without an eBay Shop pay a final value fee on the total amount of the sale (item price plus postage), plus:
- a per-order fee of £0.30 on orders of £10 or less, or £0.40 on orders over £10;
- a regulatory operating fee of 0.35% of the total;
- 20% VAT on eBay's fees (VAT-registered sellers can usually reclaim it).
| Category | Final value fee |
|---|---|
| Most categories (everything else, crafts, pet supplies) | 12.9% |
| Clothes, shoes & accessories | 11.9% |
| Trainers | 11.9%, or 7% on the whole sale from £100 |
| Antiques, art, collectables, toys, sporting goods, garden, health & beauty, musical instruments | 10.9% |
| Books, films, music, video games, most computers | 9.9% |
| Home, furniture & DIY (most) | 11.9% up to £500, 7.9% above |
| Jewellery (not watches) | 14.9% up to £1,000, 4% above |
| Phones, laptops, tablets, cameras, TVs | 6.9% up to £1,000, 3% above |
| Vehicle parts & accessories (most) | 9.5% up to £750, 3% above |
Rates for every category, with the date we last checked them:
eBay United Kingdom (business sellers)
| Category | Final value fee |
|---|---|
| Everything else, crafts, pet supplies, wholesale | 12.9% |
| Clothes, shoes & accessories | 11.9% |
| Trainers (men's & women's) | 11.9% if the item price is £99.99 or less, 7% above that |
| Women's bags & handbags | 12.9% up to £800.00, 7% on the rest |
| Antiques, art, collectables, toys, sporting goods, garden, health & beauty, musical instruments | 10.9% |
| Books, films & TV, music, video games, computers (most), phones accessories | 9.9% |
| Business, office & industrial | 12.5% |
| Home, furniture & DIY (most) | 11.9% up to £500.00, 7.9% on the rest |
| Jewellery (not watches) | 14.9% up to £1,000.00, 4% on the rest |
| Watches, parts & accessories | 12.9% up to £750.00, 3% on the rest |
| Mobile & smart phones, laptops, tablets, cameras, TVs | 6.9% up to £1,000.00, 3% on the rest |
| Vehicle parts & accessories (most) | 9.5% up to £750.00, 3% on the rest |
| Coins | 10.9% up to £450.00, 3% on the rest |
Per-order fee: £0.30 (orders £10.00 or less), otherwise £0.40. Regulatory operating fee: 0.35%. International fee: 1.05% (Eurozone & Northern Europe), 1.8% (US & Canada), 2% (All other countries). Business-seller fees are shown excluding VAT (eBay adds 20% VAT; VAT-registered sellers can usually reclaim it). Private sellers pay no final value fee or regulatory fee, only 3% when the buyer is outside the UK.
Last verified: . Official sources: eBay UK: Fees for business sellers · eBay UK: Fees for private sellers
Business seller example
A business seller sells a £40 item in a general category with £4 postage, so the total is £44:
- Final value fee: 12.9% × £44 = £5.68
- Per-order fee: £0.40
- Regulatory operating fee: 0.35% × £44 = £0.15
That is £6.23 before VAT, or £7.48 including 20% VAT. If the item cost you £15, your profit is about £22.77 (before VAT on fees). Try your own numbers:
eBay Fee Calculator
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Enter your sale price to see eBay's fees.
International fees for business sellers
When a business seller ships an item abroad, eBay adds an international fee on the total:
| Buyer's location | International fee |
|---|---|
| Eurozone & Northern Europe | 1.05% |
| US & Canada | 1.8% |
| All other countries | 2% |
Promoted listings
Promoted Listings let you pay an ad rate to appear higher in search. The ad rate is charged on the total sale when a buyer clicks your promoted listing and buys within the attribution window. A 5% ad rate on top of a 12.9% final value fee means eBay takes over 18% of that sale before VAT, so only promote items with room in the margin.
How to pay less in eBay fees
- Use the right account type. If you are only decluttering, a private account means no final value fee on UK sales.
- Know your category rate. Phones, laptops and cameras pay just 6.9%, while jewellery pays 14.9%.
- Avoid tiny orders as a business seller. The fixed per-order fee takes a large share of cheap sales.
- Reclaim VAT on fees if you are VAT-registered.
- Use promoted listings selectively, and set ad rates you can afford.
The bottom line
UK private sellers can sell unwanted items to UK buyers without final value fees, while business sellers should expect roughly 12–17% including VAT, depending on the category. Use the eBay fee calculator with the United Kingdom selected, and read eBay fees explained for the US, Canada and Australia.
Fees in this guide were checked against eBay UK's fee pages for private and business sellers in October 2026. Tax information is general; check GOV.UK for your circumstances.
Frequently asked questions
Do private sellers pay eBay fees in the UK?
Private sellers pay no final value fee or regulatory operating fee on most items sold to UK buyers. A 3% fee applies when the buyer is outside the UK, and optional upgrades cost extra.
How much does eBay charge business sellers in the UK?
Most categories pay 12.9% of the total sale, plus £0.30 or £0.40 per order, a 0.35% regulatory operating fee and 20% VAT on the fees. Some categories, such as phones and laptops, have lower rates.
Does eBay UK charge fees on postage?
For business sellers, yes. The final value fee is calculated on the total amount of the sale, including postage.
When should I switch to a business account on eBay?
When you buy items to resell, make goods to sell, or sell regularly for profit. That counts as trading, and eBay's terms require you to register as a business seller.