How much can you make reselling?
A clothing find bought for $5 and sold at the typical $21 leaves $12.66 after eBay's fees. Per item it is usually a little: most eBay sales are small, and eBay's fee is 13.6% in most categories plus a per-order fee. The table works it out for each category at its typical sold price.
Typical prices from 894,636 eBay sold listings, July 1, 2026 to September 28, 2026; fees read September 28, 2026. Updated
Profit per item at the typical sold price
What is left after eBay's fees at three example buy prices. Examples, not promises; a loss shows in amber.
| Category | Paid $2 | Paid $5 | Paid $10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ClothingSells $21, fees $3.24 (13.6% + per order) | $15.66 | $12.66 | $7.66 |
| Pottery and glassSells $25, fees $3.73 (13.6% + per order) | $18.77 | $15.77 | $10.77 |
| CollectiblesSells $19, fees $2.92 (13.6% + per order) | $13.58 | $10.58 | $5.58 |
| ToysSells $18, fees $2.78 (13.6% + per order) | $12.72 | $9.72 | $4.72 |
| JewelrySells $32, fees $5.26 (15% + per order) | $25.14 | $22.14 | $17.14 |
| AccessoriesSells $35, fees $5.16 (13.6% + per order) | $27.83 | $24.83 | $19.83 |
| AntiquesSells $35, fees $5.15 (13.6% + per order) | $27.80 | $24.80 | $19.80 |
| ElectronicsSells $60, fees $8.56 (13.6% + per order) | $49.44 | $46.44 | $41.44 |
| ShoesSells $40, fees $5.81 (13.6% + per order) | $31.96 | $28.96 | $23.96 |
| Home and gardenSells $26, fees $3.87 (13.6% + per order) | $19.63 | $16.63 | $11.63 |
| Other vintageSells $27, fees $4.07 (13.6% + per order) | $20.93 | $17.93 | $12.93 |
| ArtSells $27, fees $4.07 (13.6% + per order) | $20.94 | $17.94 | $12.94 |
| SportsSells $30, fees $4.48 (13.6% + per order) | $23.51 | $20.51 | $15.51 |
| BooksSells $11, fees $2.06 (15.3% + per order) | $6.77 | $3.77 | −$1.23 |
| MusicSells $15, fees $2.44 (13.6% + per order) | $10.55 | $7.55 | $2.55 |
| FurnitureSells $58, fees $8.27 (13.6% + per order) | $47.59 | $44.59 | $39.59 |
A worked month, as an example
Say you sell 20 items a month in clothing at its typical $21, each bought for $5. That leaves $12.66 an item and $253.20 for the month, before supplies, gas, unsold stock and your time. Double the sales and it doubles; pay more per item and it shrinks. That is the whole business: buy low, sell near the typical price, and list a lot.
What these numbers leave out
- These are examples, not promises. Your items, condition and prices will differ.
- Fees are eBay US for a seller without a store, charged here on the sale price only. eBay also charges them on the shipping and sales tax the buyer pays, so your fee will be a little higher.
- Each row uses the main eBay rate for that category. Some items inside a category pay more: women's handbags 15%, and CDs 15.3% where vinyl is 13.6%.
- Shipping is left out: we assume the buyer pays calculated shipping that covers your postage. Free shipping comes out of your profit.
- Not everything sells, and some sales end in returns. Our data records sales, not listings that never sold.
For your own numbers, with shipping, promoted listings and every eBay category, use the eBay fee calculator or the calculators for other marketplaces.
Questions
How much do resellers make per item?
It depends on the category. At the typical eBay sold price in each category we track, an item bought for $5 leaves from $3.77 (books) to $46.44 (electronics) after eBay's fees, before shipping and your time.
How much does eBay take from a sale?
For most categories on eBay US, 13.6% of the total sale plus 30 cents on orders of $10 or less or 40 cents above. Books and jewelry run higher, at 15.3% and 15%. The fee calculator shows every category.
Can reselling be a full time income?
For some people, after a long ramp and with a lot of volume. Most resellers sell part time. We do not publish income figures because we cannot see what sellers spend or how long they work.
Not sure what yours is worth?
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