eBay vs Etsy vs Amazon Fees Comparison (UK)
Understanding how eBay, Etsy, and Amazon fees compare is critical for UK sellers deciding where to list products. Fees directly impact profit margins and influence pricing, promotion, and fulfilment decisions. This guide provides a detailed breakdown of fee structures, practical examples, and strategies to minimise costs across marketplaces.
We’ll examine insertion/listing fees, final value/referral fees, payment processing fees, optional upgrades, and fulfilment-related costs for each platform.
1. eBay Seller Fees
UK eBay sellers pay insertion fees (after free listing allowance), final value fees (percentage of total sale including postage), and payment processing fees via managed payments. Optional upgrades include subtitles, bold titles, and gallery upgrades.
Example
Selling an item for £50 with £5 postage:
- Insertion fee beyond free quota: £0.35
- Final value fee: 12% × £55 = £6.60
- Payment processing fee (2.9% + £0.30) = £2.20
- Total fees = £9.15
Tools: eBay Fee Calculator (UK)
2. Etsy Seller Fees
Etsy charges a £0.20 listing fee per item, plus a 6.5% transaction fee on the total sale (including shipping), and a 4% + £0.20 payment processing fee via Etsy Payments.
Example
Selling an item for £40 with £5 shipping:
- Listing fee: £0.20
- Transaction fee: 6.5% × £45 = £2.93
- Payment processing: 4% × £45 + £0.20 = £1.80 + £0.20 = £2.00
- Total fees = £5.13
Tools: Etsy Profit Calculator (UK)
3. Amazon Seller Fees
Amazon UK sellers pay referral fees (percentage of sale), and if using FBA, fees for storage, fulfilment, and shipping. Referral fees vary by category, typically 12-15%. FBA fees include per-item fulfilment and monthly storage charges.
Example
Selling a £50 item with FBA:
- Referral fee (15%) = £7.50
- FBA fulfilment fee = £3.00
- Monthly storage = £0.50 per item
- Total fees = £11.00
Tools: Amazon FBA Fee Calculator
4. Comparative Fee Analysis
| Marketplace | Listing Fee | Transaction / Final Value Fee | Payment / Processing Fee | Optional / FBA Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| eBay UK | £0.35 beyond free listings | 10-12% of sale + postage | 2.9% + £0.30 | Subtitles, bold titles |
| Etsy UK | £0.20 | 6.5% of sale + shipping | 4% + £0.20 | Optional ads |
| Amazon UK (FBA) | No fixed listing fee for professional account | 12-15% referral fee | Included in FBA fee if used | FBA fulfilment & storage |
5. Best Practices for Marketplace Fee Management
- Calculate all fees before pricing: Use Break-Even Calculator to maintain margins.
- Leverage free or low-cost listing limits on eBay and Etsy.
- Consider bundling items to reduce per-item fees (Bundle Pricing Calculator).
- Compare marketplaces by product type and sales volume before committing to a platform.
6. Common Mistakes Sellers Make
- Ignoring hidden fees like shipping credits or optional upgrades
- Assuming referral or final value fees are fixed without checking category rates
- Failing to adjust prices to account for currency conversion and VAT where applicable
- Over-relying on one marketplace without fee diversification
7. Practical Example
Selling the same £50 product across all three platforms:
- eBay: Total fees = £9.15 → Net revenue £45.85
- Etsy: Total fees = £5.13 → Net revenue £44.87
- Amazon FBA: Total fees = £11 → Net revenue £44.00
Decision depends on product type, fulfilment preference, and potential for higher visibility.
8. FAQ
Which marketplace has the lowest fees for UK sellers?
It varies by product and sales volume. Etsy often has lower fees for small sellers, eBay is flexible, and Amazon FBA charges more but includes fulfilment.
How do eBay, Etsy, and Amazon fees differ?
eBay has insertion and final value fees, Etsy has listing and transaction fees, and Amazon has referral and FBA fees.
Can seller fees impact profit margin?
Yes. Accurate fee calculation is essential for pricing to maintain margins.
Are there tools to compare marketplace fees?
Use the eBay Fee Calculator (UK), Etsy Profit Calculator (UK), or Amazon FBA Fee Calculator.
Which marketplace is best for small UK sellers?
Depends on product type, sales volume, and fulfilment needs. Etsy suits handmade items, eBay for general goods, Amazon for higher volume FBA-supported products.
Conclusion
Comparing eBay, Etsy, and Amazon fees is crucial for UK sellers to optimise pricing and maximise profits. Use calculators to estimate total costs, factor in optional upgrades or fulfilment fees, and choose platforms based on product type and expected sales volume.