Sell on Mercari if you want the simplest deal: listing is free and Mercari takes 10% of the item price and buyer-paid shipping when it sells, with the buyer paying a 3.6% protection fee. Sell on eBay if you want auctions, category-specific rates and more listing tools: most categories carry 13.6% of the total sale plus $0.30 or $0.40 per order, with 250 free listings a month.
Mercari and eBay both let you sell almost anything, from trainers to kitchen gadgets, which is why sellers end up choosing between them. The difference is how each one works out its cut. I read eBay's US selling fees page and Mercari's seller protection, buyer protection and getting paid pages, so the numbers here are what the two companies publish as of October 2026.
eBay and Mercari side by side
| Details as of October 2026 | eBay | Mercari |
|---|---|---|
| Listing | 250 free a month, then $0.35 each | Free in any category |
| Main selling fee | 13.6% of the total sale up to $7,500 in most categories | 10% of item price and buyer-paid shipping |
| Per order fee | $0.30 on orders of $10.00 or less, $0.40 above | None |
| Shipping in the fee base | Yes, unless you offer free domestic shipping | Yes, buyer-paid shipping |
| Photos per listing | Up to 24, free | Up to 12 |
What eBay counts in the total sale
eBay's final value fee is a percentage of the total amount of the sale, plus a per order fee. That total includes the item price, any handling charges, shipping costs collected from the buyer, sales tax and any other applicable fees. An order means any number of items bought by the same buyer at checkout with the same shipping method, so a buyer who takes three items pays one per order fee, not three.
There are exceptions on shipping. If you offer free domestic shipping, eBay doesn't charge a final value fee on shipping. If you offer 1-day or international shipping alongside a lower-priced domestic option, the total is based on the lowest domestic option you offer. And eBay says you don't pay separate third-party payment processing fees.
eBay rates that aren't 13.6%
Most categories sit at 13.6% up to $7,500 and 2.35% above it, but several don't. Books and magazines, movies and TV, and music (except vinyl) are 15.3%. Coins and paper money, comic books, and sports and collectible trading cards are 13.25%. Guitars and basses are free to list and 6.7% on the sale. If you sell in these categories, the comparison with Mercari's 10% changes.
A few listing rules catch people out. Insertion fees aren't refundable if your item doesn't sell, listing in a second category means a second insertion fee, and Good 'Til Cancelled listings renew every month and count towards your free allowance each time. Optional upgrades cost extra, such as $2.00 for bold on an auction-style listing. Sellers rated Below Standard pay an additional 6% on final value fees the following month.
Mercari: free listing, 10% when it sells
Mercari says listing is free regardless of category, price or volume, with up to 12 photos, a description, brand, condition and tags. When the item sells, Mercari takes a simple 10% of the item price and buyer-paid shipping. You can ship on your own or use Mercari's prepaid labels, which come with discounted rates, tracking and up to $200 of Shipping Protection for loss or damage. You've got 3 days to drop the item off after a sale.
The catch: Mercari's buyer fee and shipping base
Mercari's 10% looks like less than eBay's 13.6%, and for many items that holds. But Mercari charges it on the shipping the buyer pays as well, and adds a 3.6% Buyer Protection fee to the buyer's total. eBay, for its part, adds a per order fee, charges $0.35 per listing after the first 250 each month and counts shipping and sales tax in its base. Compare the categories you sell in, not the headline rates.
When Mercari pays you
Mercari's buyer protection page says payment is held until the item is delivered and the buyer rates the order, or released automatically 72 hours after confirmed delivery if they don't. To withdraw, free ACH direct deposit typically takes about 5 business days. Instant Pay costs $3 a time, once a day, up to $600 a month, and needs a verified ID and a Visa or Mastercard debit card. If a buyer's item isn't as described, they've got 72 hours to report it, and Mercari won't take returns for fit, style or a changed mind.
Which one fits the way you sell
- A quick clear-out of household items: Mercari, with free listing and one 10% fee when it sells.
- Collectables, coins or trading cards: eBay, where those categories sit at 13.25% and auctions help find the price.
- Guitars and basses: eBay, at 6.7% with free listing.
- Books, films and music: Mercari's 10%, against eBay's 15.3% in those categories.
- Sellers listing hundreds of items a month: Mercari, since eBay charges $0.35 per listing after 250.
For the full picture on each, read how much Mercari takes and how much eBay takes from a sale.
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My advice on eBay or Mercari
Start with Mercari for everyday items you want gone without fuss: free to list, one 10% fee and shipping cover on its labels. Use eBay for collectables, guitars and anything rare where an auction might find a higher price, and check your category on eBay's fees page before you list. Many sellers run both and keep each item where it sells fastest.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Mercari or eBay's fee lower?
Mercari charges 10% of the item price and buyer-paid shipping, as of October 2026. eBay charges 13.6% of the total sale in most categories plus a per order fee of $0.30 or $0.40.
Does Mercari charge to list?
No. Mercari says listing is free regardless of category, price or volume. eBay gives US sellers 250 free listings a month, then $0.35 each.
Does eBay include shipping in its fee?
Yes. eBay's total amount of the sale includes shipping costs collected from the buyer and sales tax, unless you offer free domestic shipping.
What is Mercari's Buyer Protection fee?
Mercari adds a 3.6% Buyer Protection fee to the item price and buyer-paid shipping, paid by the buyer, as of October 2026.
How long does a Mercari seller have to ship?
Mercari gives sellers 3 days to pack and drop off an item after it sells. Sellers who ship on their own must add tracking before they get paid.
How fast do I get paid on Mercari?
Free direct deposit typically arrives within 5 business days. Instant Pay costs $3 per withdrawal and works once a day, up to $600 a month.
