eBay vs Amazon — which takes less?
| eBay | Amazon | |
|---|---|---|
| Headline rate | 13.6% FVF most categories (2.35% over $7,500) + $0.30/$0.40 per order | 8-17% referral fee by category ($0.30 min) + FBA fulfillment tiers |
| $100 → fees | $14.00 | $15.00 |
| $100 → net | $86.00 | $85.00 |
Side-by-side quick reference
| Amount | eBay fees | eBay net | Amazon fees | Amazon net | Difference | eBay charge→net | Amazon charge→net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $10.00 | $1.66 | $8.34 | $1.50 | $8.50 | amazon +$0.16 | $12.04 | $11.77 |
| $25.00 | $3.80 | $21.20 | $3.75 | $21.25 | amazon +$0.05 | $29.40 | $29.42 |
| $50.00 | $7.20 | $42.80 | $7.50 | $42.50 | ebay +$0.30 | $58.34 | $58.83 |
| $100.00 | $14.00 | $86.00 | $15.00 | $85.00 | ebay +$1.00 | $116.21 | $117.65 |
| $250.00 | $34.40 | $215.60 | $37.50 | $212.50 | ebay +$3.10 | $289.82 | $294.12 |
| $500.00 | $68.40 | $431.60 | $75.00 | $425.00 | ebay +$6.60 | $579.17 | $588.24 |
| $1,000.00 | $136.40 | $863.60 | $150.00 | $850.00 | ebay +$13.60 | $1,157.88 | $1,176.48 |
eBay formula
13.6% FVF most categories (2.35% over $7,500) + $0.30/$0.40 per order
13.6% FVF most categories (2.35% over $7,500) + $0.30/$0.40 per order — verified 2026-11-10
Amazon formula
8-17% referral fee by category ($0.30 min) + FBA fulfillment tiers
8-17% referral fee by category ($0.30 min) + FBA fulfillment tiers — verified 2026-11-10
eBay fee formula & hidden costs
13.6% FVF most categories (2.35% over $7,500) + $0.30/$0.40 per order
Worked example: $100.00 gross → $14.00 fees → $86.00 net. Reverse gross-up: charge = (target + fixed) / (1 − rate) → to net $100.00 charge $116.21.
Hidden fees to watch
- FVF is charged on the tax-inclusive total — an 8% sales-tax state inflates your fee base by 8%.
- Promoted Listings Standard adds 2-20% of the total sale on attributed orders.
- International sales add +1.65% on top of the category rate.
- Below Standard seller level adds +6% to the FVF.
- Heavy-item shipping overages and dispute fees are deducted from payouts.
Amazon fee formula & hidden costs
8-17% referral fee by category ($0.30 min) + FBA fulfillment tiers
Worked example: $100.00 gross → $15.00 fees → $85.00 net. Reverse gross-up: charge = (target + fixed) / (1 − rate) → to net $100.00 charge $117.65.
Hidden fees to watch
- The $0.30 minimum referral fee makes sub-$2 items effectively fee-locked.
- FBA adds fulfillment, monthly storage, aged-inventory and removal fees beyond referral.
- Media categories add a $1.80 closing fee per item.
- Refunds trigger a refund administration fee (~20% of the referral, capped).
- Low-price jewelry and beauty fee breaks flip at $250 and $10 thresholds.
Frequently asked questions
Which takes less on a $100 sale: eBay or Amazon?
eBay takes $14.00 (net $86.00); Amazon takes $15.00 (net $85.00). eBay wins by $1.00 at $100.
Which is better for international sellers, eBay or Amazon?
eBay: 13.6% FVF most categories (2.35% over $7,500) + $0.30/$0.40 per order. Amazon: 8-17% referral fee by category ($0.30 min) + FBA fulfillment tiers. Check the regional variants above — rates change materially by country.
What is the effective take rate difference between eBay and Amazon?
At $100, eBay takes 14.0% vs Amazon at 15.0% — a 1.0 point gap before modifiers.