eBay Germany fees: private or business seller in 2026?

Quick answer

For a seller resident in Germany selling domestically on eBay.de, private and business fee models differ. eBay describes regular private domestic sales as free, with exceptions such as optional features and advertising. Business commission depends on the category, condition and order amount. English-language listings do not turn German account rules into US or UK fees.

This guide helps you select a fee model. It does not decide whether your activity legally counts as private or commercial. Buying stock to resell should trigger a separate check of your obligations, rather than selecting “private” because the estimate is lower.

Check the correct fee table

The private seller fee page explains the domestic scope and additional charges. The business fee table lists commission excluding VAT: a variable component plus EUR 0.35 per order up to EUR 10, or EUR 0.45 above it. The fee base includes buyer-selected shipping.

For business sellers, the same broad product family can contain different categories. Device fees and accessory fees are not interchangeable. A reduced re-commerce rate requires an eligible category and eligible condition; “secondhand” alone does not establish eligibility. eBay's July 2026 changes explain the revised category structure.

Match the fee model to one order and its invoice

Under Payments → Reports, open the transaction report and detailed invoice for the relevant period. The report helps identify the order; the invoice explains charged fees. A monthly statement or bank payout does not replace that comparison. eBay's reconciliation guide explains the documents.

1. Define the sale: Record seller status, registered country, eBay selling site and delivery country. A German domestic assumption must match the actual sale.
2. Find the order: Match order and item IDs. Record the sale date and, for listing options, the listing date; the invoice date alone does not identify the applicable tariff.
3. Record the model: Save the exact category ID, condition, fee-table row and its effective date. Include buyer shipping and other applicable parts of the order's fee base.
4. Compare matching lines: Separate variable commission, the fixed order component, advertising and optional features. Use the same basis in both records, keeping fee tax, discounts and credits on separate lines.
5. Resolve the difference: The matched lines should explain the charged total before you reuse it in an estimate. If a difference remains, keep the order ID, applicable table row and specific disputed line ready for clarification.

Hypothetical fee reconciliation: find a EUR 0.50 difference

Every amount is invented; 10% is an assumed rate, not a category recommendation. Assume a EUR 60 item plus EUR 5 buyer shipping received. The comparison uses fees before fee VAT.

The EUR 0.50 difference in this invented record is entirely explained by the separate option. Dividing the total EUR 7.45 by the order amount would not identify a new commission rate. If your real invoice has no such line, your difference is still unresolved: check the fee base, category, date and other charges.

Next step: Open the eBay fee calculator with your order amount and the supported category group. Its grouped rates are an estimate; category exceptions and account-specific charges need checking. Then use the full sale calculation to add the rest of your costs.

Frequently asked questions

Does selecting private mode make a resale business private?

No. A calculator setting models costs; it does not classify your activity or replace checking the applicable obligations.

Does free private selling mean I have no expenses?

No. Packaging, sourcing, optional features and other actual costs can still reduce what remains.

Can I apply a reduced rate to every used item?

No. Verify both the category and condition requirements in the official table.