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Sell on eBay

The original online marketplace with 132M+ active buyers worldwide

1.3B+
Monthly Visitors
132M+
Active Buyers
190+
Countries
1995
Founded
Last updated: March 2026

Overview

eBay is the original online marketplace, founded in 1995, and remains one of the largest e-commerce platforms globally with 1.7 billion monthly visits and 132 million active buyers. While often associated with auctions and second-hand goods, eBay has evolved significantly — today over 80% of items sold are brand new, and the fixed-price "Buy It Now" format dominates. eBay operates major European sites including eBay.de (Germany), eBay.co.uk (UK), eBay.fr (France), eBay.it (Italy), and eBay.es (Spain), giving sellers access to Europe's largest consumer markets.

For cross-border sellers, eBay's Global Shipping Program and international site visibility settings simplify multi-country selling. Unlike Amazon, eBay does not compete with its own private-label products, giving third-party sellers a fairer competitive landscape. eBay's fee structure is straightforward: a final value fee (typically 10–13% including payment processing) with no monthly subscription required for basic stores. The platform particularly excels for unique items, collectibles, automotive parts, refurbished electronics, and niche categories where Amazon's selection is limited.

eBay's Managed Payments system (powered by Adyen) processes transactions in local currencies and deposits funds directly to sellers' bank accounts. The platform has invested heavily in its authentication programs for luxury goods, certified refurbished program, and AI-powered search to maintain relevance against newer competitors. For sellers already established on Amazon, eBay represents a natural second channel that reaches a different customer demographic — eBay buyers tend to be more deal-oriented and loyal to specific sellers.

Top Categories

Electronics & SmartphonesFashion & AccessoriesAutomotive PartsCollectibles & MemorabiliaHome & Garden

Seller Requirements

  1. 1eBay account with verified identity (personal or business)
  2. 2Linked bank account for Managed Payments deposits
  3. 3VAT number required for EU business sellers
  4. 4Compliance with country-specific product regulations
  5. 5Good standing seller metrics (defect rate, late shipment rate)

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • No private-label competition from the platform itself
  • Flexible listing formats (auction, fixed-price, best offer)
  • Lower barriers to entry — no monthly subscription required for basic selling
  • Strong buyer base for niche, vintage, and collectible items
  • Global reach — sell to 190+ countries from one account
  • Promoted Listings boost visibility with pay-per-sale advertising

Cons

  • Final value fees (10–13%) can be significant on low-margin products
  • Less sophisticated fulfillment infrastructure than Amazon FBA
  • Buyer-friendly return policies can disadvantage sellers
  • Perception as a "second-hand" platform can deter some premium buyers
  • Search algorithm favors price over brand loyalty

Selling Tips

Use eBay's item specifics and catalog data thoroughly — filled-in specifics directly improve search visibility

Offer free shipping where possible — eBay's algorithm strongly favors free-shipping listings

Open an eBay Store (from €19.95/month) for lower insertion fees, promotional tools, and a branded storefront

Leverage Promoted Listings Standard (pay-per-sale) to boost visibility without upfront ad costs

Maintain Top Rated Seller status by keeping defect rate below 0.5% and late shipment rate below 3%

Related Marketplaces

Useful Tools

Frequently Asked Questions

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