Example scenario · illustrative, not a real seller
An example pair of boots sells for $60 plus $10 shipping. eBay’s fee, on a total that includes tax, is $10.59; Mercari’s is $7.00. If eBay buyers pay $70 for the same boots, eBay still wins.
What you’ll get
- Both fee structures side by side.
- Worked comparisons at $60 and $300.
- Why sold prices matter more than fees.
- Tool and returns differences.
- Items that lean toward each platform.
Same item, two different fee bases
eBay and Mercari are the two general marketplaces most US resellers try first. Both take a percentage of the sale, and both count the shipping the buyer pays. The difference is in the rate, the extras and the kind of buyer each attracts. For a $30 item the gap is small; for a $300 item it can be significant.
This guide compares the two using eBay's US selling fees page and Mercari's US fees article, both checked November 8, 2026, and suggests which items fit each.
Fees side by side
| eBay, most categories | Mercari | |
|---|---|---|
| Listing fee | First 250 listings free per month, then $0.35 each | Listing is free |
| Main percentage | 13.6% final value fee | 10% selling fee |
| Applied to | The total amount of the sale, including shipping, handling and sales tax | The item price plus buyer-paid shipping |
| Fixed per-order fee | $0.30 if the order is $10 or less; $0.40 over $10 | None in the seller fee |
| Category exceptions | Yes; some categories have different rates | Not by category |
eBay's fee page lists category exceptions, for example 15.3% for Books & Magazines, Movies & TV and most Music, and a different structure for athletic shoes at $150 or more. Mercari's article says its 10% applies to listings created or updated since January 6, 2025.
Worked comparison
In this chosen example, a pair of boots sells for $60 with $10 buyer-paid shipping. eBay's total includes sales tax; assume 7% tax on the item and shipping, $4.90, on eBay, which Mercari's seller fee doesn't include.
| Line | eBay | Mercari |
|---|---|---|
| Fee base | $60 + $10 + $4.90 = $74.90 | $60 + $10 = $70.00 |
| Percentage fee | 13.6% × $74.90 = $10.19 | 10% × $70 = $7.00 |
| Per-order fee | $0.40 | — |
| Total seller fee | $10.59 | $7.00 |
On these assumptions Mercari leaves you $3.59 more. At $300 with the same shipping and 7% tax, eBay's fee would be 13.6% × $331.70 + $0.40 = $45.51 against Mercari's $31.00, a gap of $14.51.
The fee gap is not the whole story. If an item sells for $70 on eBay but only $55 on Mercari, the eBay payout wins. Fees only decide between platforms when the expected sale price is similar.
Step 1: Compare sold prices, not listings
Check what the item sold for recently on each platform. eBay's product research tool shows sold history, as covered in the eBay product research guide. Compare with the sold examples you can find for the same item on Mercari. The research prices manual explains how to read both.
Step 2: Run the fees on the likely price for each
Use each platform's likely sold price and fee, then subtract shipping and the item's cost. The marketplace net tool does this side by side.
Step 3: Weigh the selling tools
Each platform offers different tools that affect how fast items sell:
- eBay has auctions, Best Offer with automatic accept and decline amounts, promoted listings and item specifics that feed search filters. See the eBay offers guide and the eBay item specifics guide.
- Mercari has offers, promotions that must go below your historical lowest price, and bundles. See the Mercari promotions guide and the Mercari bundles guide.
Step 4: Consider returns
Return expectations differ. eBay lets you set a return policy per listing, and eBay's money back guarantee still applies to items not as described. Mercari's returns follow its own process. The eBay returns settings guide and the Mercari returns guide explain each.
Which items lean which way
| Item type | Leans toward | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Parts, model-numbered electronics, collectibles with specifics | eBay | Search filters and buyers who search by model |
| Everyday clothing, home goods under about $50 | Mercari | Lower percentage, no per-order fee |
| High-value items with strong eBay sold history | eBay, if the price is higher | Price difference outweighs fee difference |
| Items that might suit an auction | eBay | Mercari doesn't run auctions |
These are tendencies, not rules. Many sellers list on both and remove the other listing when one sells; the cross-listing manual covers that.
Common mistakes
- Comparing eBay's 13.6% with Mercari's 10% and forgetting eBay includes tax in the base.
- Ignoring eBay's $0.30 or $0.40 per order, which matters on cheap items.
- Choosing the lower fee even when the other platform's buyers pay more.
- Assuming all eBay categories use 13.6%.
- Forgetting to end the second listing after a sale.
Price first, fees second
Between eBay and Mercari, the platform where the item sells for more usually wins; fees decide only when prices are close. Check sold prices on both, then run the fees.
Worked example · hypothetical, not a real seller
Keep the example in view
| Chosen line | eBay | Mercari |
|---|---|---|
| Fee base | $74.90 | $70.00 |
| Percentage fee | $10.19 | $7.00 |
| Per-order fee | $0.40 | — |
| Total seller fee | $10.59 | $7.00 |
Before the next transaction
With JavaScript and browser storage, only checked-step IDs can stay on this device. No buyer details or amounts are saved.
Practical questions
What does eBay charge in most categories?
eBay’s fee page lists 13.6% of the total amount of the sale plus $0.30 for orders of $10 or less or $0.40 over $10, and the total includes shipping and sales tax.
What does Mercari charge sellers?
Mercari’s fees article says a 10% selling fee applies to the item price plus buyer-paid shipping for listings created or updated since January 6, 2025.
Is Mercari always cheaper?
On fees, usually. But if the item sells for more on eBay, the eBay payout can be higher.
Do all eBay categories use 13.6%?
No. eBay lists exceptions, such as 15.3% for Books & Magazines.
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