Should I sell on eBay or Etsy?

Choose Etsy for handmade, vintage, or unique craft items, as it attracts buyers seeking specialty goods and often allows for higher price points. Choose eBay for mass-produced, brand-name, or diverse inventory, benefiting from a larger global audience, faster sales, and robust selling tools.

How much does eBay take from a $100 sale?

On a $100 sale in most categories, eBay will deduct about $13 to $15 in fees. For example, if the final value fee is 13.25%, that equals $13.25. Certain categories may be slightly higher or lower. If the buyer is international, add an extra 1.65% ($1.65) to the total fee.

Does HMRC check Etsy?

Digital platforms like Vinted, eBay, Etsy and Depop must report your earnings to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) if you sell more than a certain amount.

How much does Etsy take from a $100 sale?

The baseline cost: For a standard $100 sale in the US without any advertising, Etsy takes approximately $9.95. This includes the listing, transaction, and payment processing fees. The Offsite Ads impact: If that same $100 sale is generated through a mandatory 12% Offsite Ad, Etsy's take more than doubles to $21.95.

What is the 3 day rule on eBay?

When you can ask eBay to step in. Once the buyer has let you know that they have an issue, you have 3 business days to respond with a resolution. After that, if the matter hasn't been resolved, either of you can ask us to step in and help.

Etsy vs eBay: Where Should You Sell in 2026?

What is the 5000 rule on eBay?

The Reporting Threshold for eBay Sales

As a platform, eBay is required to issue Form 1099-K to sellers who generated more than a certain threshold. Under updated IRS rules, this threshold has a lowering trend. The mentioned threshold is $5000 for 2024 and $2500 for 2025. It is planned to be reduced to $600 for 2026.

How many items can you sell on eBay as a beginner?

Went from 10 listing/sold limit as a new seller to 18 listing/sold limit after exhausting the first 10 in about a week and selling one or two items during that first week.

What are the disadvantages of selling on Etsy?

Cons of selling on Etsy

• Numerous Etsy seller fees. Even though launching a product on Etsy costs less than a dollar, it's not the only fee you'll have to cover as an Etsy business owner. ...
• Tough competition. ...
• Influx of mass-produced items. ...
• Limited brand control. ...
• Unexpected suspensions.

Are your first 40 listings on Etsy free?

How much does it cost to sell? Transaction fees are only 6.5% per sale. It costs $0.20 to list an item for 4 months. Your first 40 listings are free!

Why are Etsy's fees so high?

Pros of Etsy's Transaction Fees

starting your own site: 👍 More Marketing = More Buyers: Etsy says one of the key reasons they're increasing transaction fees is so they have more money for marketing. Etsy says they spent close to $600M in 2021, and intend to increase that spend in 2025.

How to avoid eBay HMRC?

In general, selling personal items is not taxed if they're below £6,000 and you're not selling as part of a business.

How to avoid Etsy tax in the UK?

If you had sales of less than £1,000 a year with Etsy you do not need to do anything. HMRC lets you earn £1,000 a year through websites like Etsy without worrying about income tax. If you had sales of more than £1,000 a year with Etsy, you need to submit a tax return.

How much can you earn without declaring?

I heard that I don't need to do anything until I'm earning over £3,000? That's not true. If you're earning over £1,000 from side hustles, you'll still need to tell HMRC. At the moment, you tell HMRC by doing a Self Assessment tax return.

What is the downside of selling on eBay?

eBay charges various selling fees, including listing and final value fees. These costs can add up and significantly impact on your earnings. Complexity in shipping. Managing shipping, especially for international sales, can be complex and costly.

Is it totally free to sell on eBay UK?

It's free, easy and safe to sell on eBay for UK-based private sellers. You get 300 free listings every month, and you only pay fees for optional listing upgrades or if you deliver to an overseas address. Fees are different for business sellers and for selling vehicles.

How much does eBay charge if an item doesn't sell?

If your item doesn't sell, you will not be charged any final value fees.

How to get 10 sales a day on Etsy?

With that in mind, we asked Etsy sellers to share their tips for doing just that.

1. Add More Listings. The more listings you add to your shop, the better your chances of getting found by shoppers, which could eventually lead to more sales. ...
2. Refine Your Product Photography. ...
3. Go Global. ...
4. Track Your Progress. ...
5. Celebrate and Reflect.

Can I start Etsy with no money?

Yes, you can start an Etsy shop for free. Etsy doesn't charge any setup fees, and it's possible to source products and create listings with minimal expense. Plus, online tools and free resources can help you design your products quickly and get your shop up and running without any initial investment.

Why are sellers boycotting Etsy?

Buyers and sellers on Etsy are protesting the platform until merch celebrating the Trump administration's Florida detention center is taken down. Calls to boycott Etsy are growing since “Alligator Alcatraz” merch popped up on its marketplace.

Why is no one buying on Etsy?

Critical Reviews. Negative feedback or reviews is another common reason why an Etsy listings may have views but no sales. It should come as no surprise that even one critical review can scare off potential buyers.

What are the biggest Etsy seller mistakes?

Let's check the most common mistakes you, as a new Etsy seller, may make.

1. Neglecting Product Photos or Mockups. ...
2. Not Creating Seasonal or Holiday Products. ...
3. Not Having a Clear or Consistent Brand Identity. ...
4. Underpricing or overpricing products. ...
5. Poor Etsy SEO Optimization. ...
6. Disregarding Etsy policies. ...
7. Not Optimizing for Mobile.

Why can I only sell 10 items a month on eBay?

We review your account every month and adjust the limits automatically based on your volume of sales and the Feedback you've received from buyers. We may end any listings that you have created over your existing limit.

What happens after 250 free eBay listings?

Insertion Fees

If you don't have an eBay Store subscription, you can list up to 250 items for free each month. Beyond that, each additional listing costs $0.35. Once you exceed this limit, a per-listing fee applies: Basic Store: 250 free listings, then $0.30 per additional listing.

What are the new rules for eBay sellers 2025?

What's Changing. Starting August 27, 2025, items valued at US$500 or above (including shipping fee) for shipping to the United States will require additional seller enablement on eBay. Note: This updates our prior threshold of US$2,500; all other terms remain the same.