Which platform has higher sales volume for cross-border sellers?

Amazon has significantly higher sales volume globally. Amazon's monthly active buyers exceed 300 million, compared to eBay's ~130 million. However, eBay has stronger penetration in certain categories (auto parts, collectibles, used items) and in specific markets (UK, Australia, Germany). For new cross-border sellers, Amazon typically generates more initial sales due to Prime eligibility and buy box algorithms.

eBay vs Amazon Fees Comparison 2026

Q: Can I use Amazon FBA to fulfill eBay orders?

Yes, you can use Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF) through Amazon FBA to ship eBay orders. However, MCF costs are typically 20-30% higher than standard FBA fulfillment fees. You also lose the Prime badge on eBay listings. For most sellers, using eBay's own fulfillment partners or self-fulfilling is more cost-effective than MCF.

Q: What are the hidden costs of selling on eBay vs Amazon?

Hidden eBay costs include: Promoted Listings fees (2-20% of sale price depending on ad boost), PayPal/payment processing fees (if not using Managed Payments), return shipping costs (seller pays), and store subscription fees ($0-$299.95/month). Hidden Amazon costs include: FBA fees (fulfillment + storage), aged inventory surcharges, return processing fees, and the 3.5% fuel surcharge. Both platforms charge for premium listing features.

Last updated: 2026-09-18

✍️ Yuwen Chen ✓ Verified Amazon Seller Expert·Published: July 04, 2026·Updated: September 02, 2026·About the Author

📅 Updated September 2026 — Fact-checked against the latest Amazon fee changes and seller policy updates

A data-driven, side-by-side breakdown of every fee on both platforms — so you can choose where your products make more profit.

Fee Structure at a Glance

🟠 Amazon

Referral Fee: 8-45% (most: 15%)
Fulfillment Fee: $3.45-$12+ per unit
Storage Fee: $0.78-$2.40/cubic ft/month
Fuel Surcharge: 3.5% (new in 2026)
Placement Fee: $0-$0.98/unit
Monthly Subscription: $0 (Individual) or $39.99 (Professional)

🔴 eBay

Final Value Fee: 13.25% (most categories)
Per-Order Fee: $0.30
Fulfillment Fee: $0 (self-ship)
Storage Fee: $0 (self-store)
Placement Fee: $0
Monthly Subscription: $0-$299.95 (optional store tiers)

Head-to-Head Fee Comparison

Fee Type	Amazon	eBay	Winner
Referral / Commission	15% (most categories)	13.25% + $0.30/order	eBay (by ~2%)
Fulfillment	$3.45-$12+ per unit	$0 (self-ship)	eBay (if self-fulfilling)
Storage	$0.78-$2.40/cubic ft/mo	$0	eBay
Peak/Seasonal Fees	$2.40/cubic ft (Oct-Dec)	$0	eBay
Aged Inventory	$0.50-$7.90/cubic ft	$0	eBay
Return Shipping	Amazon pays (FBA)	Seller pays	Amazon (FBA)
Advertising	PPC (CPC model)	Promoted Listings (CPS model)	Tie (varies by strategy)
Prime/Speed Badge	Prime (2-day)	Fast 'N Free	Amazon (Prime wins)

Real Cost Example: $30 Product, 1 lb, Standard-Size

Scenario: Selling a $30 phone case (1 lb, standard-size, 15% referral category)

Amazon FBA:

Selling price: $30.00
Referral fee (15%): -$4.50
FBA fulfillment ($3.45 × 1.035 fuel): -$3.57
Storage (0.08 cu ft × $0.78): -$0.06
Placement (avg): -$0.25
Total fees: -$8.38 → Profit: $21.62 (72.1%)

eBay (self-fulfillment):

Selling price: $30.00
Final value fee (13.25%): -$3.98
Per-order fee: -$0.30
Shipping (USPS First Class): -$4.50
Packaging: -$0.50
Total fees: -$9.28 → Profit: $20.72 (69.1%)

Result: Amazon FBA wins by $0.90 on this example — but the gap widens for heavier items (higher shipping on eBay) and narrows for lighter items.

When to Choose eBay Over Amazon

Low-volume sellers — No monthly subscription needed, no minimum volume
Used/collectible items — eBay dominates in pre-owned and collectible categories
Slow-moving inventory — No storage fees means no penalty for unsold stock
High-margin luxury items — Lower commission rate saves more on expensive items
Auction-style pricing — eBay's auction format can drive higher prices for unique items

When to Choose Amazon Over eBay

High-volume new products — Prime eligibility drives 3-5x more conversions
Heavy/bulky items — Amazon FBA shipping rates beat self-fulfillment
International sellers — Amazon's FBA export program handles customs and shipping
Brand building — Amazon Brand Registry, A+ Content, and Sponsored Brands
Automated fulfillment — FBA handles storage, packing, shipping, and returns

The Multi-Channel Strategy

💡 Sell on Both Platforms

The most profitable approach for many sellers is to sell on both platforms simultaneously:

Use Amazon FBA for high-volume, fast-moving products
Use eBay for slow-moving, used, or collectible inventory
Use the Multi-Store Dashboard to manage inventory across both platforms
Use Profit Dashboard to track margins on each platform separately

Fee Calculator

Use our free tools to compare your exact costs on each platform:

Platform Comparison Tool — Side-by-side cost analysis
eBay vs Amazon Calculator — Product-specific comparison
Profit Dashboard — Multi-platform profit tracking
COGS Calculator — Calculate your landed cost

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper to sell on, eBay or Amazon?

It depends on your product category and selling volume. eBay's final value fee (13.25%) is slightly lower than Amazon's referral fee (15%) for most categories. However, Amazon FBA provides fulfillment services that eBay doesn't. For products under $20, eBay is typically 2-3% cheaper. For products over $50 with high volume, Amazon FBA often wins due to Prime eligibility and higher conversion rates.

What is eBay's final value fee in 2026?

eBay's standard final value fee in 2026 is 13.25% of the total sale amount (including shipping). Some categories have different rates: Musical Instruments charges 6.35%, Heavy Equipment charges 3%.

Does eBay have storage fees like Amazon?

No, eBay does not charge storage fees. You store your inventory wherever you want. This is a significant advantage for sellers with slow-moving inventory. Amazon charges $0.78-$2.40 per cubic foot per month, plus aged inventory surcharges after 181 days.

Can I use Amazon FBA to fulfill eBay orders?

Yes, through Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF). However, MCF costs are typically 20-30% higher than standard FBA fees, and you lose the Prime badge on eBay listings.

What are the hidden costs of selling on eBay vs Amazon?

Hidden eBay costs: Promoted Listings (2-20%), return shipping (seller pays), store subscriptions ($0-$299.95/mo). Hidden Amazon costs: FBA fees, aged inventory surcharges, 3.5% fuel surcharge, return processing fees.

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