Private sellers: free in the UK
eBay's fee page says UK private sellers pay no final value fee and no regulatory fee when items sell to UK buyers. A 3% international fee applies if the buyer is outside the UK. Cars, motorbikes and other vehicles have their own fees.
The Buyer Protection fee
Buyers of private sellers' items pay a Buyer Protection fee: £0.10 per item, plus 7% of the price up to £20, 4% of the part from £20 to £300, and 2% of the part from £300 to £4,000. It doesn't come out of your money, but buyers see the total. This replaced a £0.75 + 4% fee on 17 Jul 2025.
Business sellers
Business sellers pay a final value fee on the total including postage. Most categories are 9.9% to 12.9%, with 10.9% common; clothes, shoes and accessories are 11.9% (7% for trainers over £100); home, furniture and DIY are 11.9% up to £500 and 7.9% above; jewellery and watches 14.9% up to £1,000. On top is a per-order fee of £0.30 on orders of £10 or less and £0.40 above, a 0.35% regulatory fee, and 20% VAT on fees unless you're VAT registered. Buyers don't pay a Buyer Protection fee on business items. Tick "Business" in the calculator to see this.
Postage
On eBay you set the postage price, or offer free postage, and buy the label yourself, which eBay can sell you. Put what you charge and what you pay in the calculator; the difference counts towards what you keep. See the UK postage guide for carrier prices.
When you get paid
Private sellers with a strong sales history usually get their money within 24 hours of the buyer paying. Otherwise eBay can hold it until 2 days after delivery is confirmed.