top of page
Search

💸 How to Make Money Selling on eBay (And What Fees to Expect)

Updated: 10 hours ago





If you’ve ever looked around your home and thought, “I could probably sell that,” then eBay is a fantastic place to start. It’s one of the easiest ways to turn clutter into cash — and with the right approach, you can make consistent income.


Whether you’re decluttering or flipping items for profit, here’s everything you need to know about selling on eBay — including the fees they take and how to maximise your earnings.


📦 What Can You Sell on eBay?


Literally almost anything. Popular items include:


  • Used clothes and shoes


  • Baby and kids’ items


  • Electronics (working or for parts)


  • Home decor and small furniture


  • Collectibles, toys, games


  • Books, DVDs, vinyls


You can sell second-hand goods, new products, handmade items, or even dropship — whatever works for you.


🛒 How to List an Item on eBay


  1. Sign up or log into your eBay account


  2. Click “Sell” at the top


  3. Add a title, photos, and description


  4. Choose auction or “Buy It Now” format


  5. Set the price and postage cost


  6. List it!


Top tip: Always include clear photos, detailed condition info, and relevant keywords in your title for better visibility.


💷 How Much Does eBay Charge?


Here's a breakdown of eBay’s selling fees (as of 2025):


🧾 Final Value Fee


This is the main fee eBay charges — 12.8% of the total sale amount, which includes item price + postage.


  • Example: If you sell something for £10 + £3.50 postage = £13.50 totaleBay takes 12.8% of £13.50 = £1.73


➕ 30p Fixed Fee


On top of the percentage, eBay also charges a flat 30p per order.


So in the above example, total fees would be:


  • £1.73 (final value fee) + £0.30 = £2.03 total fee


You’d take home:£13.50 – £2.03 = £11.47


📦 Postage


You can charge the buyer for postage or offer free delivery — it’s up to you. eBay often gives you discounted shipping rates if you use their courier partners like Evri or Royal Mail.


✅ Pros of Selling on eBay


  • Massive audience = more chance of a sale


  • Easy to list and manage


  • Get paid straight into your bank account


  • Good for one-offs or side hustles


❗Things to Watch Out For


  • eBay fees eat into profit, so always factor them in when pricing.


  • Buyers can open disputes, so be clear and honest in your listings.


  • You may need to pay tax if you're running it as a business.


🛍️ Swapping Clutter for Cash


I personally love selling on eBay when I’m having a clear-out or if I find something valuable in a charity shop. It’s an easy way to make a little extra cash, especially if you keep postage and fees in mind when pricing things.


🧡 Want to Get Started?


Head over to eBay.UK and create your first listing — it's free to sign up, and you only pay when something sells.




bottom of page