eBay vs Amazon Seller Fees: Category Rate Comparison, FBA Costs, and Platform Selection Guide
eBay charges casual sellers 13.6% Final Value Fee in most categories plus $0.40 per-order fee plus 2.7% plus $0.30 Managed Payments fee, totaling approximately 16.7% effective rate on a $100 standard-category sale.
The comparison between eBay and Amazon selling fees depends on 3 factors: the product category (different platforms charge different rates in different categories), the sale price (fixed components like per-order fees favor higher-value sales on eBay), and the seller's subscription status (Amazon's Professional plan at $39.99 per month versus eBay store subscriptions at $21.95 to $2,999.95 per month).
What Is the eBay vs Amazon Fee Comparison by Category?
eBay charges 13.6% in most categories while Amazon charges 8% to 15% depending on category. Amazon charges lower fees in Electronics (8%), Computers (6%), and Clothing (17%). eBay charges lower fees in Musical Instruments (6.35%), Heavy Equipment (3%), and for Top-Rated Sellers (10.88%). Neither platform is uniformly cheaper across all categories.
The table below compares eBay casual seller Final Value Fee rates to Amazon referral fee rates in major categories. Source: eBay Seller Fees, effective February 14, 2025. Amazon Seller Referral Fees, accessed May 2025.
| Category | eBay Casual Seller Rate | Amazon Referral Fee Rate | Lower Cost Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard / General | 13.6% | 15% | eBay |
| Electronics (Consumer) | 13.6% | 8% | Amazon |
| Computers | 13.6% | 6% | Amazon |
| Clothing and Accessories | 13.6% | 17% | eBay |
| Books | 15.3% | 15% + $1.80 closing | eBay (on items above $18) |
| Shoes above $150 | 8% | 15% | eBay |
| Musical Instruments | 6.35% | 15% | eBay |
| Jewelry | 15% | 20% up to $250 then 5% | eBay (above $250) |
| Toys and Games | 13.6% | 15% | eBay |
| Sports and Outdoors | 13.6% | 15% | eBay |
| Watches | 15% (3-tier) | 16% up to $1,500 then 3% | eBay (above $1,500) |
Category assignment affects both platforms. An item can be classified differently on eBay and Amazon, resulting in different rates on each platform for the same physical product.
What Are the Hidden Fees on Amazon Compared to eBay?
Amazon charges fulfillment fees for sellers who use Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) ranging from $3.06 to $150+ per unit depending on size and weight. eBay charges no fulfillment fees because eBay does not operate fulfillment centers. Amazon also charges monthly storage fees of $0.87 per cubic foot (January to September) or $2.40 per cubic foot (October to December) for FBA inventory. eBay has no storage fees.
Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) is Amazon's warehousing and fulfillment service where sellers send inventory to Amazon's fulfillment centers and Amazon picks, packs, ships, and handles customer service. FBA fees include a fulfillment fee per unit based on product size and weight, plus monthly inventory storage fees, plus optional fees for long-term storage (items stored more than 365 days pay an additional fee).
The FBA fulfillment fee for a standard-size item weighing 8 ounces and measuring under 12 by 9 by 0.75 inches is $3.22 per unit. A seller who sells 100 such items per month pays $322.00 in FBA fulfillment fees in addition to the 15% referral fee. The effective combined fee rate on a $25 item sold through FBA is 15% ($3.75) plus $3.22 fulfillment fee, totaling $6.97 in fees, representing 27.9% of the $25 sale price.
eBay sellers who self-ship pay for shipping separately (USPS, UPS, FedEx) but avoid the storage fee structure. A comparable $25 item shipped via eBay Labels USPS First Class at approximately $4.00 incurs 13.6% ($3.40) in Final Value Fees plus $0.40 plus $0.98 Managed Payments plus $4.00 shipping, totaling $8.78. If the buyer pays the $4.00 shipping, the seller's net cost is $4.78 in eBay fees, which is 19.1% of the item price.
Does eBay or Amazon Have More Buyers for Most Products?
Amazon has more than 300 million active customer accounts globally compared to eBay's 130 million active buyers. For new commodity products, Amazon's buyer pool is larger. For used goods, collectibles, vintage items, and niche categories, eBay's buyer pool is more engaged because eBay is the primary platform buyers use for second-hand and collectible shopping.
The buyer pool composition differs significantly between the two platforms. Amazon buyers primarily purchase new products with Prime shipping. Amazon buyers who want a specific current model of a product search Amazon first. eBay buyers who want used, vintage, rare, or collectible items search eBay first.
Sell-through rates for common used items (used electronics, used clothing, used sporting goods) are typically higher on eBay than on Amazon's Used marketplace because eBay's buyer base actively seeks used goods. Amazon's used marketplace exists within an ecosystem designed for new products, which can reduce buyer trust in used listings.
For new commodity products with high turnover (phone cases, generic accessories, basic household items), Amazon's buyer pool and Prime eligibility through FBA produce higher sales velocity than eBay. For products with unique characteristics, limited availability, or collector appeal, eBay's audience specificity produces higher final prices even with a smaller total buyer pool.
Should a Seller Use eBay or Amazon to Sell Their Items?
Sellers choose eBay for: used goods, collectibles, vintage items, high-value specialty items (watches, jewelry, instruments), and vehicles. Sellers choose Amazon for: new commodity products, branded consumer goods, items with UPCs that match Amazon's catalog, and products suitable for Prime shipping through FBA. Many sellers use both platforms simultaneously to maximize reach across both buyer pools.
The platform selection decision rests on 4 factors. Factor 1: Item condition. Used items sell better on eBay. New items sell better on Amazon. Factor 2: Category fees. Sellers in Electronics, Computers, and Clothing categories save money on Amazon. Sellers in Musical Instruments, Heavy Equipment, and Shoes pay less on eBay. Factor 3: Item uniqueness. Unique, rare, or collectible items benefit from eBay's auction format and collector buyer base. Standard catalog items benefit from Amazon's product page system. Factor 4: Fulfillment capability. Sellers who want Amazon to handle fulfillment use FBA. Sellers who self-fulfill have more flexibility on eBay.
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*Source: eBay Seller Fees Help Page, effective February 14, 2025. Amazon Seller Referral Fees, May 2025. Amazon FBA Fee Schedule, May 2025.*
