Who this is for
First-time eBay sellers who want a straightforward guide to start selling. Whether you're clearing out a closet or launching a side business, this covers everything from account setup to your first sale.
Generate optimized eBay titles
Create keyword-packed 80-character titles that rank in Cassini search.
The goal
Learn how to sell on eBay from start to finish. By the end, you'll have a verified seller account, understand the fee structure, know how to create listings that get found, and be ready to ship your first order.
What you need to start selling on eBay
Before creating your account, gather these essentials:
- Email address — Used for account verification and buyer communication
- Phone number — Required for two-factor authentication
- Bank account or debit card — Must be a checking account or Visa/Mastercard debit card where the name matches your eBay account
- Government ID — Driver's license or passport for identity verification
- SSN or EIN — Required for tax reporting (1099-K issued for sales over $600)
eBay automatically enrolls all sellers in Managed Payments, meaning you'll receive payouts directly to your linked bank account rather than through PayPal.
Personal account vs business account
| Feature | Personal | Business |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly free listings | 250 | 250 |
| Tax document | 1099-K (over $600) | 1099-K (over $600) |
| Legal liability | Personal | Business entity |
| Required info | SSN | EIN + business details |
| Best for | Casual sellers | Volume sellers, resellers |
Start with a personal account. You can upgrade to a business account later if you sell regularly or want liability protection.
Identity verification process
eBay verifies all new sellers before allowing listings. The process takes 24–72 hours and requires:
- Government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport)
- Social Security Number or EIN
- Bank account verification (micro-deposits or instant verification)
Verification helps protect buyers and gives you access to higher selling limits.
How to create an eBay seller account
- Go to ebay.com and click "Register"
- Choose "Personal account" (or "Business account" if applicable)
- Enter your name, email, and create a password
- Verify your email address via the confirmation link
- Click "Sell" in the top navigation to start seller registration
- Link your bank account for payouts (checking account or debit card)
- Complete identity verification when prompted
Once verified, you're ready to list items.
Setting up your payout schedule
eBay offers four payout options:
- Daily — Funds available 2 days after buyer payment confirmation
- Weekly — Payouts every Tuesday
- Biweekly — Payouts every other Tuesday
- Monthly — Payouts once per month
Add 1–3 business days for bank processing. Most sellers choose daily payouts to maintain cash flow.
Generate optimized eBay titles
Create keyword-packed 80-character titles that rank in Cassini search.
How much does it cost to sell on eBay?
eBay's fee structure has three components:
- Insertion fees — $0.35 per listing after your first 250 free listings per month
- Final value fees — 2.5% to 15.3% of total sale amount (item + shipping + tax), varies by category
- Per-order fee — $0.30 for orders $10 or less, $0.40 for orders over $10
For a detailed breakdown of fees by category, see our eBay fees explained guide.
Category fee examples
| Category | Final Value Fee |
|---|---|
| Books, Music, DVDs | 2.5% – 12.35% |
| Clothing & Accessories | 13.25% |
| Electronics | 13.25% |
| Home & Garden | 13.25% |
| Collectibles | 13.25% |
| Jewelry & Watches | 15.3% |
| Sporting Goods | 13.25% |
| Auto Parts | 13.25% |
Calculating your actual profit
Use this formula:
Profit = Sale Price - Item Cost - eBay Fees - Shipping Cost
Example: You sell a shirt for $30 with $5 flat-rate shipping.
- Total sale: $35
- Final value fee (13.25%): $4.64
- Per-order fee: $0.40
- Total eBay fees: $5.04
- If shipping costs you $4: Profit = $35 - $5.04 - $4 - (item cost)
Use our eBay Fee Calculator to calculate your exact fees before listing.
eBay photo requirements
Quality photos directly impact your sales. eBay requires:
- Minimum size: 500 × 500 pixels
- Recommended size: 1600 × 1600 pixels (enables zoom)
- Maximum photos: 24 per listing
- Accepted formats: JPEG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, HEIC, BMP
- Maximum file size: 12 MB per photo
Photo tips that increase sales
- Use a white or neutral background — Makes items stand out in search results
- Show all angles — Front, back, sides, inside, bottom
- Capture details — Tags, labels, measurements, any flaws
- First photo matters most — This is your search result thumbnail
- Natural lighting — Photograph near a window or use a lightbox
- No watermarks — eBay prohibits text overlays and promotional watermarks
Listings with more high-quality photos consistently outperform those with fewer images.
How to create your first eBay listing
- Click "Sell" in the top navigation
- Enter your item's name, UPC, or ISBN — eBay will suggest matching catalog products
- Select a category (or let eBay auto-select based on your title)
- Choose listing format: Buy It Now (fixed price) or Auction
- Set your price, quantity, and condition
- Upload photos (aim for 8–12 minimum)
- Write your description
- Complete all required item specifics
- Set shipping options and handling time
- Review and submit
For most items, Buy It Now format works better than auctions. Buyers prefer immediate purchases, and you get predictable pricing.
Writing titles that get found
Your title is the most important factor in eBay search visibility. You have 80 characters—use them strategically.
Include:
- Brand name
- Model number or style
- Size, color, material
- Condition (New, Pre-owned, etc.)
- Key features buyers search for
Avoid:
- ALL CAPS (looks spammy)
- Symbols like *** or !!!
- Words like "WOW" "L@@K" or "RARE" (unless genuinely rare)
- Repeating keywords
Example: ❌ "AMAZING Nike Shoes!!! L@@K RARE MUST SEE!!!" ✅ "Nike Air Max 90 Men's Running Shoes Size 10 White Black 2024"
For more title strategies, see our eBay title optimization guide and character limits reference.
Completing item specifics for visibility
Item specifics (brand, size, color, material, etc.) carry significant weight in eBay's search algorithm. Listings with complete item specifics appear in filtered searches—incomplete listings don't.
Required item specifics vary by category. eBay shows you which fields are required, recommended, and optional when you create a listing. Fill in as many as possible.
For a deep dive into how this affects your visibility, read our guide on item specifics data and understand how eBay's Cassini search algorithm ranks listings.
What shipping options should you offer?
| Method | How It Works | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Calculated | eBay calculates exact cost based on buyer location | Heavy or oversized items |
| Flat rate | You set one shipping price for all buyers | Lightweight, predictable items |
| Free shipping | You absorb shipping cost (build into item price) | Competitive categories |
New sellers should start with calculated shipping—it prevents undercharging on distant shipments and buyers see exact costs upfront.
Using eBay Labels
eBay Labels offers discounted shipping rates:
- USPS: Up to 33% off retail rates
- UPS: Discounted commercial rates
- FedEx: Negotiated rates for volume sellers
To use eBay Labels:
- Go to your sold item in Seller Hub
- Click "Print shipping label"
- Enter package dimensions and weight
- Select carrier and service
- Pay with your eBay account balance or linked payment method
- Print and attach the label
Tracking uploads automatically when you use eBay Labels—this is important for seller protection.
Setting your handling time
Handling time is how long you take to ship after receiving an order. Options: same day, 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, or longer.
- Shorter handling = better search placement — eBay favors fast shippers
- Be realistic — Missing handling time hurts your seller metrics
- Same-day handling — Only commit if you can reliably ship within hours
Most new sellers should start with 2–3 day handling until they establish a shipping routine.
Understanding payment holds for new sellers
eBay holds funds from new sellers to protect buyers. Here's how it works:
- Hold duration: Up to 21 days
- Early release: Funds release when tracking shows delivery
- Permanent removal: After 90 days of selling OR 25 completed transactions
The 21-day hold can feel frustrating, but it's temporary. Focus on:
- Uploading tracking immediately after shipping
- Shipping within your stated handling time
- Building positive feedback to establish trust
Once you hit the 90-day or 25-item threshold with good metrics, holds end permanently.
How to get paid faster
- Use eBay Labels — Tracking uploads automatically
- Ship quickly — Faster delivery = faster fund release
- Request feedback — Message buyers after delivery (politely)
- Maintain good metrics — Defects extend hold periods
Monitor your progress in Seller Hub under "Payments" → "Payment holds."
What seller protections does eBay offer?
eBay's Seller Protection Program covers you against certain buyer claims when you:
- Ship within your stated handling time
- Upload tracking before the estimated delivery date
- Use an eBay-integrated carrier
- Tracking shows successful delivery
You're protected against:
- "Item Not Received" claims when tracking shows delivery
- Certain return abuse patterns
- Payment reversals on eligible transactions
You're NOT protected if:
- You ship late or without tracking
- You use a carrier eBay can't verify
- The item is significantly not as described (legitimately)
Using Seller Hub tools
Seller Hub is your free command center. Key features:
- Sales dashboard — Daily/weekly/monthly performance
- Listing management — Edit up to 2,000 listings in bulk
- Performance metrics — Track defects, late shipments, cases
- Marketing tools — Promoted Listings, markdown sales
- Research — See what similar items sold for
Access Seller Hub at ebay.com/sh/overview after your first sale.
How does eBay compare to other platforms?
eBay offers access to 132 million active US buyers—one of the largest online marketplaces.
| Factor | eBay | Poshmark | Mercari | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audience | 132M buyers | Fashion-focused | General | Local + shipped |
| Fees | 2.5–15.3% + $0.30–0.40 | 20% flat | 10% + payment fee | 0–10% |
| Shipping | Seller handles | Poshmark provides | Seller handles | Seller handles |
| Best for | Everything, collectibles | Clothing, accessories | General goods | Local pickup items |
eBay excels for collectibles, electronics, auto parts, and brand-name items where buyers search by specific model numbers.
Use our Platform Comparison Calculator to compare your potential profit across marketplaces.
FAQ
How many items can I list for free on eBay?
250 listings per month. The count resets monthly, and unused listings don't roll over. Multi-quantity listings count as one listing.
Do I need a business license to sell on eBay?
No license required for casual selling. Some states require a business license or resale certificate if you sell at high volume or purchase wholesale inventory for resale.
How long do eBay payment holds last?
21 days for new sellers, or until tracking shows delivery (whichever comes first). Holds end permanently after 90 days of selling OR completing 25 transactions with good metrics.
Can I sell internationally as a beginner?
Yes, but start domestic-only. International shipping adds complexity: customs forms, longer transit times, higher return costs. Enable international shipping after you're comfortable with domestic orders.
What happens if a buyer doesn't pay?
Open an Unpaid Item case after 2 days. If the buyer still doesn't pay, you can close the case, relist the item, and receive a credit for any final value fees charged.
How do I handle returns as a new seller?
Offer a 30-day return policy—it improves search visibility and buyer confidence. When a buyer requests a return, eBay generates a prepaid label. The return cost depends on the reason: buyer's remorse = buyer pays; item not as described = you pay.
What categories have the highest eBay fees?
Jewelry & watches at 15.3%. Most categories are 13.25%. Books, music, and DVDs have the lowest fees at 2.5–12.35%.
Should I start with auctions or Buy It Now?
Buy It Now for most items. Auctions work for rare collectibles, vintage items, or when you genuinely don't know the market value. For everyday items, fixed pricing converts better.
Next steps
- Calculate your fees with our eBay Fee Calculator before listing
- Optimize your titles with our eBay title optimization guide
- Understand the algorithm with our Cassini search guide
- Compare platforms with our Platform Comparison Calculator
Generate optimized eBay titles
Create keyword-packed 80-character titles that rank in Cassini search.
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