- Mercari's 10% selling fee in the US
- What changed for older Mercari listings
- The Buyer Protection fee Mercari charges shoppers
- How Mercari releases your money
- Mercari cash-out options and their fees
- Mercari shipping costs sellers should plan for
- Ways to keep more of your Mercari sales
- Mercari fees summary
- Frequently asked questions
In the US, Mercari takes a 10% selling fee on the item price plus any buyer-paid shipping, for listings created or updated since January 6, 2025. Listing is free and there's no separate payment processing fee for sellers. Standard direct deposit is free, while Instant Pay costs a flat 3 US dollars per cash-out.
Mercari rewrote its fees at the start of 2025, and the change moved costs around between buyers and sellers in a way that confused a lot of people. If you're pricing a closet clear-out or a box of collectibles, here's what Mercari's own Help Center says you'll pay, and the one quirk that makes the fee slightly bigger than it first looks.
Mercari's 10% selling fee in the US
Mercari's Fees on Mercari page says listing an item is always free, and fees are charged when an item sells or when a service is used. Effective January 6, 2025, a 10% selling fee applies to the item price plus buyer-paid shipping, for new and updated listings.
That second part is the quirk. If your buyer pays for shipping, Mercari takes 10% of the combined total, not 10% of your price tag. On a light item that barely changes anything. On a bulky one with expensive shipping, it adds up, so it's worth knowing before you choose between buyer-paid and seller-paid shipping.
What changed for older Mercari listings
Any listing created before January 6, 2025 sat under the old rules until they were updated. Mercari says those existing listings would be updated automatically within a week, and the new structure also applies whenever you edit an older listing. In plain terms, every active listing should now be on the 10% seller fee.
The old model charged the buyer a 10% fee plus a payment processing fee of 0.50 US dollars plus 2.9%. That's why you'll still find guides describing Mercari as free for sellers, and others saying sellers pay 2.9% processing. Both are out of date for current listings.
The Buyer Protection fee Mercari charges shoppers
Since the change, buyers pay a Buyer Protection fee of 3.6% of the item price plus buyer-paid shipping. Mercari says no separate payment processing fee applies to new or updated listings. The fee shows on the checkout page as part of the final price.
It doesn't come out of your payout, but it does mean the buyer's total is higher than your listed price. When you're comparing your price with similar items on other selling apps, remember that a Mercari buyer is looking at that total.
How Mercari releases your money
Mercari's Buyer Protection page explains that it holds the buyer's payment until the item is delivered and the buyer rates the order. If the buyer doesn't rate it within 72 hours of carrier-confirmed delivery, the transaction completes automatically and the funds are released to you.
Buyers also have 72 hours after confirmed delivery to report an item that isn't as described. Mercari doesn't accept returns for reasons such as doesn't fit, not my style or changed my mind. If a return is approved, the buyer has to ship it back within 3 days of the claim approval.
Mercari cash-out options and their fees
- Direct deposit: free. Since January 6, 2025, there's no longer a 2 US dollar fee per cash-out. You can request one cash-out a day, and it's typically processed within 5 business days.
- Failed deposits: a 2 US dollar non-refundable fee applies to each failed direct deposit, so double-check your bank details.
- Instant Pay: a flat 3 US dollars per cash-out, to an eligible debit card, once a day and up to 600 US dollars a month. Mercari says it can take up to 30 minutes to reach your bank account, depending on your bank.
If you're not in a rush, direct deposit keeps the full balance in your pocket.
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Mercari shipping costs sellers should plan for
Mercari prepaid labels cover USPS, FedEx and UPS for packages up to 100 lbs. Over that, you'll need to ship it yourself and cover the costs. Mercari also notes that if a return is approved on an item over the limit, the seller has to provide the return label.
Shipping rates are listed in the Help Center and change from time to time, so check them when you list rather than relying on an old figure. If the buyer pays for shipping, remember that the 10% fee applies to that amount as well.
Ways to keep more of your Mercari sales
- Price with the fee in mind. Take 10% off the item price plus any shipping the buyer pays.
- Use direct deposit rather than Instant Pay unless you need the money the same day.
- Write clear, honest descriptions with plenty of photos, since not as described is the main route to a return.
- Pack well. Damage in transit is a valid return reason, and returns slow your payout.
- Keep records of what you paid for stock if you resell regularly, and ask an accountant about tax on your own sales.
If you sell across apps, the way Poshmark works out what it keeps makes a useful comparison, since it uses a flat percentage and buyer-paid labels. For other ways to bring in extra money from home, see my list of legitimate fast ways to make money online.
Mercari fees summary
| What | How it works | Source checked |
|---|---|---|
| Listing | Always free | Mercari Fees on Mercari |
| Selling fee | 10% of item price plus buyer-paid shipping | Mercari Fees on Mercari |
| Buyer Protection fee | 3.6%, paid by the buyer | Mercari Buyer Protection |
| Payment processing | None on new or updated listings | Mercari Fees on Mercari |
| Direct deposit | Free; 2 US dollars if a deposit fails | Mercari Fees on Mercari |
| Instant Pay | 3 US dollars per cash-out, up to 600 a month | Mercari Fees on Mercari |
These are Mercari's US figures. Fees can change, so take a quick look at the Fees on Mercari page in the Help Center before you price a big batch.
Frequently asked questions
Does Mercari charge sellers a fee?
Yes. Mercari charges a 10% selling fee on the item price plus buyer-paid shipping, for listings created or updated since January 6, 2025. Listing is free.
Is there a payment processing fee on Mercari?
Not on new or updated listings. Mercari removed the separate processing fee when it introduced the 3.6% Buyer Protection fee paid by buyers.
How much does Mercari charge to cash out?
Direct deposit is free, though a failed deposit costs 2 US dollars. Instant Pay costs a flat 3 US dollars per cash-out.
When does Mercari release the money from a sale?
After the buyer rates the order, or automatically if they don't rate it within 72 hours of carrier-confirmed delivery.
Does Mercari take a cut of shipping?
Yes, when the buyer pays for shipping. The 10% selling fee is worked out on the item price plus buyer-paid shipping.
