Why fee comparison matters more than platform hype
Resellers lose money in predictable ways: sourcing too high, sitting on dead stock, shipping in the wrong box. But the fee gap between platforms is just as real — and easier to fix. A $50 Madewell blouse nets you $50 on Vinted, $40 on Poshmark, and somewhere between on everything else. Cross-list the same SKU on three apps without running the math and you are guessing which sale actually made money.
This guide uses July 2026 published rates for US and UK sellers. Fees change — always confirm on the platform's own fee page before pricing inventory. For deeper dives, see our Vinted vs Poshmark fee breakdown, eBay seller fees guide, and Vinted USA reseller guide.
2026 seller fee comparison table (US & UK)
Assumptions: single item, no promoted listings, buyer pays shipping separately (so shipping is not in the fee base unless noted). Payment processing is included where the platform bundles it.
| Platform | US seller fee | UK seller fee | Who pays shipping | Best inventory fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vinted | 0% (buyer pays ~5% + $0.70 protection) | 0% (buyer pays protection fee) | Buyer (prepaid label) | Mall brands, fast fashion, kids' clothes |
| Poshmark | 20% flat (sales >$15); $2.95 under $15 | US-focused; limited UK presence | Buyer ($7.97 flat label discount available) | Premium brands, bundles, $40–$200 pieces |
| eBay | ~13.25% + $0.30/order (most categories) | ~12.8% clothing (no per-order fee) | Either party; fee applies to total incl. shipping | Reach, collectibles, international, high ASP |
| Mercari | 10% selling fee (US only) | Not available | Buyer or seller; fee on item + shipping | General goods, electronics, home, fashion |
| Depop | 0% selling + 3.3% + $0.45 payment processing | 10% on total (incl. shipping to buyer) | Buyer or seller (seller sets shipping) | Y2K, streetwear, curated vintage aesthetic |
| Facebook Marketplace | 0% local pickup; ~5% on shipped orders via checkout | 0% local; fees on shipping checkout | Local pickup (free) or buyer-paid shipping | Furniture, bulky local items, quick cash flips |
$50 worked example: what you actually receive
You thrift a Nike fleece for $8, list it at $50, buyer pays shipping separately. Here is what each platform deducts from your $50 list price (US rates unless noted):
| Platform | Fee calculation | Total fees | You receive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinted US/UK | 0% seller fee | $0.00 | $50.00 |
| Facebook (local) | 0% — cash or direct payment | $0.00 | $50.00 |
| Depop US | 3.3% × $50 + $0.45 | $2.10 | $47.90 |
| Mercari US | 10% × $50 | $5.00 | $45.00 |
| Depop UK | 10% × £50 | £5.00 | £45.00 |
| eBay US | 13.25% × $50 + $0.30 | $6.93 | $43.07 |
| eBay UK | 12.8% × £50 | £6.40 | £43.60 |
| Facebook (shipped) | ~5% × $50 | $2.50 | $47.50 |
| Poshmark | 20% × $50 | $10.00 | $40.00 |
After your $8 item cost, net profit ranges from $42.00 on Vinted down to $32.00 on Poshmark — a $10 swing on one flip. Sell twenty of those a month and the fee gap is $200, more than many part-time resellers' monthly profit target.
Run your own numbers before you buy inventory: use the flipping profit calculator for quick pre-source checks and the eBay fees calculator when cross-listing higher-ticket pieces with category-specific rates.
Platform-by-platform: when to pick each
Vinted — lowest seller fees, fashion-only catalog
Pick Vinted when: you flip mall brands and fast fashion at $15–$60, you want maximum fee retention, and you are fine with domestic-only shipping (US to US, UK to UK). The 0% seller fee is the headline, but buyers pay a protection surcharge — price 5–10% below Poshmark comps and you still earn more after fees.
Skip Vinted when: you sell designer above $150, electronics, books, or anything outside fashion/kids/home-adjacent. Cross-border shipping is not supported.
Poshmark — premium audience, highest flat fee
Pick Poshmark when: you sell recognizable brands at $40+, buyers expect Poshmark's social features (sharing parties, offers), or you need Poshmark's prepaid label simplicity on higher-ASP inventory. The 20% fee hurts less above $80 where buyer trust and authentication culture justify the cut.
Skip Poshmark when: your average sale price is under $30. On a $25 item, $5 in fees (20%) is painful — Vinted or Depop US leaves you $3–$5 more. See our dedicated Vinted vs Poshmark comparison for the full math.
eBay — reach and category flexibility
Pick eBay when: you need international buyers, sell outside fashion (parts, media, collectibles), or list sneakers over $150 (8% fee, no per-order charge). eBay's fee applies to shipping charged to the buyer — do not inflate shipping to dodge fees.
Skip eBay when: you only sell lightweight domestic fashion under $40 and speed matters. Listing effort and fee drag on small items often lose to Vinted's zero-fee model.
Mercari — generalist US marketplace
Pick Mercari when: you sell mixed inventory — a haul with clothes, a game console, and kitchen gadgets. The flat 10% is simpler than eBay's category schedule, and buyers browse beyond fashion.
Skip Mercari when: you are UK-based (no Mercari UK), or your catalog is pure fashion where Vinted's 0% wins on every comparable sale.
Depop — aesthetic-driven, US fee advantage
Pick Depop when: you curate Y2K, streetwear, or vintage with strong photography and social presence. US sellers benefit from no selling commission — only payment processing. UK sellers pay 10%, which changes the calculus entirely.
Skip Depop when: you want passive listings without Instagram-style engagement, or you sell practical mall brands where Vinted's buyer base is larger and fee-free.
Facebook Marketplace — zero fees, zero shipping infrastructure
Pick Facebook when: you sell locally — furniture, large items, quick cash flips within driving distance. No platform fee on local pickup sales. Shipped orders through Facebook checkout carry a selling fee (~5%), still below Poshmark.
Skip Facebook when: you need prepaid labels, buyer protection, or a national buyer pool. No integrated shipping on local sales means meetups, no-shows, and cash-only friction.
US vs UK: three fees that differ
- Depop. US = 0% selling + payment processing only. UK = 10% on total sale. Same app, very different margin.
- eBay per-order fee. US charges $0.30 per order on most categories. UK eBay typically has no equivalent per-order charge — but final value fee percentages differ by category.
- Mercari availability. US-only. UK resellers choose between Vinted, Depop, eBay, and Facebook.
Vinted's 0% seller fee holds in both the US and UK. The buyer protection model is the same idea: sellers keep the list price, buyers pay a surcharge at checkout.
Cross-listing strategy for 2026
The profitable resellers in 2026 do not pick one platform — they route inventory by fee structure and buyer intent:
- Volume basics ($15–$45 mall brands): Vinted first, Mercari or Depop US as backup.
- Premium fashion ($60–$200): Poshmark or eBay — buyer trust offsets higher fees.
- Y2K / streetwear aesthetic: Depop US (low fees) + Vinted for reach.
- Bulky local items: Facebook Marketplace pickup — zero fees, zero shipping hassle.
- Collectibles / international: eBay — fee premium buys global reach.
Cross-listing only works if you track which platform sold each SKU and at what net margin. Gut feeling fails when fee spreads hit $10 per item. Log purchase cost, platform, fees, and sale price per flip — that is how you know whether Poshmark's audience premium is actually paying for itself.
Hidden costs beyond the headline fee
Platform fees are not the whole picture. Budget for these on every flip:
- Shipping supplies — poly mailers ($0.15–$0.40), boxes, tape, tissue for Depop aesthetic.
- Promoted listings — optional on most platforms but increasingly necessary for visibility on Poshmark and Depop.
- Return risk — Poshmark and eBay buyer protection can mean lost shipping on returns; factor 3–5% shrinkage on high-return categories.
- Tax reporting — US 1099-K at $600 gross; UK DAC7 reporting for platform sellers. Gross sales reports do not subtract your COGS — track purchase cost per item.
The reselling profit margin guide walks through the full formula: item cost, fees, outbound shipping, supplies, and mileage to source.
FAQ
Which resale platform has the lowest seller fees in 2026?
Vinted charges sellers 0% in both the US and UK — you keep the full listed price. Facebook Marketplace local sales are also free, but without shipping infrastructure. Depop US is next best: no selling commission, only 3.3% + $0.45 payment processing. Poshmark's flat 20% is the highest among major fashion platforms.
How much does Poshmark take on a $50 sale?
Poshmark takes 20% on sales over $15. On a $50 item that is $10 in fees — you receive $40. Sales at $15 or under are charged a flat $2.95 instead.
Does Depop charge seller fees in the US?
Depop US charges no selling commission. You pay payment processing only: 3.3% of the sale total plus $0.45 per transaction. On a $50 sale that is $2.10, leaving you $47.90. Depop UK charges 10% on the total sale amount including shipping.
Is Mercari cheaper than eBay for resellers?
On a typical $50 item, yes — Mercari's 10% ($5) beats eBay US at 13.25% + $0.30 ($6.93). eBay wins on international reach, category exceptions (sneakers over $150 at 8%), and non-fashion inventory where Mercari's audience is thinner.