eBay UK selling fees explained (2026): private vs business

In 2026, UK private sellers pay no selling fees on most categories, so their eBay costs are effectively £0. Business sellers pay a final value fee plus VAT, a per-order fee, and a small regulatory fee. Knowing which you are, and what comes off each sale, is the difference between a profit and a quiet loss.

Private sellers: effectively free

If you're selling as a private individual, eBay UK currently charges no final value fee and no regulatory fee when your item sells. There are exceptions worth knowing: listing more than 300 items a month, optional listing upgrades, delivery to overseas addresses, and the motors categories can all incur charges. For a typical UK card seller under those limits, fees are £0.

Business sellers: what comes off a sale

Registered business sellers pay a stack of fees, all calculated on the total the buyer pays (item + postage):

• Final value fee (FVF): a category-based percentage, roughly 7-13% for most items.
• VAT on the fee20% added to the FVF (reclaimable if you're VAT-registered).
• Regulatory operating fee0.35% of the order total.
• Per-order fee30p for orders up to £10, 40p above £10 (from February 2026).

On a low-value single, those fixed bits matter: a per-order fee and VAT-on-fee can turn a slim margin negative. Rates change and vary by category, so always check eBay's current fees for your category.

Curio applies the right fee treatment for your account type on every card, and subtracts postage, so the number you see is the profit you keep, not the headline sale.

Protecting your margin

Two habits: always subtract fees and postage before you decide a card is worth listing, and bulk or bundle the cards that don't clear a sensible net. Try the numbers yourself with the eBay UK fee & profit calculator, and see the wider picture in how to sell Pokémon cards in the UK.

Fee figures reflect 2026 eBay UK guidance and change over time, confirm against eBay's live fee pages. Curio is not affiliated with eBay.

FAQ

Do you pay fees to sell on eBay UK?

As of 2026, UK private sellers pay no selling fees on most categories when an item sells. Business sellers pay a final value fee plus VAT, a per-order fee and a small regulatory fee.

How much is the eBay final value fee in the UK?

For business sellers it's a category-based percentage (roughly 7-13% for most items) of the total the buyer pays including postage, with 20% VAT added on the fee.

What is the eBay per-order fee?

A flat fee eBay charges business sellers per order, 30p for orders up to £10 and 40p for orders above £10 (as of February 2026).

Do I pay the fee on postage too?

Yes. The final value fee is charged on the full order total, item price plus the postage you charge, so factor postage in before you price.

Last updated August 2026