🏷️ Everything you need to sell on eBay
Global Marketplace · US, UK, DE, FR, IT, ES, AU, CA, AT, BE, IE, NL, PL, CH, HK, KR, JP, SG, MY, PH, TH, TW
eBay is a global marketplace connecting buyers and sellers across 190+ countries. eBay acts as marketplace facilitator for sales tax in most US states and collects VAT/GST in the UK, EU, and Australia on behalf of sellers.
💰 Fee Structure
Final value fee: 2.35-15% (most categories ~13.25%). Insertion fee: $0.35/listing after free listings used. eBay Store subscription: $4.95-$2,999.95/month.
📋 Seller Requirements
eBay account, verified bank account for managed payments, government-issued ID. Business sellers in EU need VAT registration. Must maintain seller performance standards.
Compliance Topics
💰 Tax Collection
eBay collects and remits sales tax as marketplace facilitator in all applicable US states. For international sales, eBay collects VAT in the UK, EU (IOSS for ≤€150), and GST in Australia on behalf of sellers.
- •US: eBay collects sales tax in all 45 states plus DC with sales tax
- •UK: eBay collects VAT on all goods (standard rate 20%)
- •EU: eBay collects VAT on goods ≤€150 via IOSS, seller collects on >€150
- •Australia: eBay collects 10% GST on goods ≤AUD1,000
- •Canada: eBay collects GST/HST on goods since July 2022
📋 Seller Requirements
eBay seller registration is relatively straightforward. Sellers need an eBay account, verified payment method, and must comply with local business registration requirements for the countries they sell in.
- •Basic and Store seller account tiers
- •eBay managed payments: linked bank account required
- •Government ID and address verification for new sellers
- •EU: VAT number required for business sellers
- •Seller performance standards: <2% defect rate, <0.3% late shipment
💳 Fee Structure
eBay charges insertion fees for listing and final value fees as a percentage of the total sale amount. eBay Store subscribers get reduced fees and additional free listings.
- •Final value fee: 2.35-15% depending on category (most categories ~13.25%)
- •Insertion fee: $0.35/listing after free listings used (250 free for Store subscribers)
- •eBay Store subscription: $4.95-$2,999.95/month depending on tier
- •Payment processing fee included in final value fee since managed payments
- •Promoted Listings fee: 2-20% (optional, seller sets rate)
🌍 Cross-Border Selling
eBay's Global Shipping Program (GSP) simplifies international selling by handling customs, duties, and international shipping. Sellers ship to a domestic hub and eBay manages the rest.
- •Global Shipping Program (GSP) available in US, UK, and select countries
- •eBay International Shipping (eIS) replaces GSP for US sellers (2023+)
- •Sellers only responsible for domestic shipping to hub
- •Buyer pays all import duties and international shipping at checkout
- •eBay handles customs documentation and international tracking
✅ Product Compliance
eBay prohibits the sale of counterfeit items and restricts certain product categories. Sellers must comply with local product safety regulations and eBay's listing policies.
- •Verified Rights Owner (VeRO) program for IP protection
- •Restricted items: weapons, hazardous materials, recalled products
- •CE marking required for electronics in EU listings
- •eBay Authenticate program for luxury goods verification
- •Product safety recalls enforced: listings removed automatically
Official Sources
This information is for general reference only and does not constitute legal, tax, or compliance advice. Platform policies may change; always check official sources for the latest requirements.