eBay fees 2026 UK: private vs business

If you sell on eBay in the UK, the fee that hits your pocket depends on one thing: whether you're listed as a private or business seller. Most casual clear-outs should stay private. Anyone buying to sell at volume usually ends up on business — and the cut is much steeper.

Private sellers: £0 seller fees

In 2026, eBay Private sellers pay £0 in final value fees on most personal sales. You keep the sold price (minus postage you pay yourself, packaging, and your time). That puts private eBay in the same ballpark as Vinted and Gumtree for seller cost.

Private is aimed at occasional sellers clearing their own stuff — not a full-time resale business. If eBay decides you look commercial, they can push you onto a business account.

Business sellers: roughly 13%

eBay Business fees are where people get surprised. A typical UK order includes:

• Final value fee around 12.8% of item + shipping charged
• A small per-order fee (about 30–40p depending on order value)
• A regulatory operating fee (~0.35%)
• VAT at 20% on those fees

On a £20 sale, that often lands around £3–£4 in total platform fees — before you've paid for postage or packaging. On the same sale as a private seller, fees are £0.

Which should you use?

Clearing old clothes and gadgets you already own? Stay private if you can. Buying stock to flip every week? You'll likely need business — and you should price that ~13% cut into every listing. For clothes specifically, compare eBay Private with Vinted and Depop on our best platform guide.

Fees are only half the story. Postage, packaging, and an hour of photographing and packing can wipe out a “good” sale. Use the profit calculator to see net profit and your effective hourly rate on eBay Private vs Business for the same numbers.