Running an eCommerce business means always looking for new ways to attract customers and boost sales. One of the most effective options? Selling on eBay.

With over 134 million active buyers worldwide, eBay gives entrepreneurs instant access to a massive customer base and global visibility. Whether you’re offering vintage treasures or trending products, you can showcase them directly on eBay—and even keep everything in sync with your Shopify store.

By taking an omnichannel approach, where eBay becomes one of several strategic sales channels, you can expand your reach and uncover new growth opportunities.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to sell on eBay—from setting up your account and listing products to optimizing your listings, managing shipping, and connecting your eBay store to Shopify.

What Do You Need to Start Selling on eBay?

Before you can list your first item, make sure you’ve got these essentials ready:

An eBay account – Sign up with your email on the registration page. If you plan to sell regularly or scale your business, choose a business account.
Bank account details – eBay pays sellers via direct deposit, so you’ll need to link a valid bank account to receive payouts.
Valid ID and tax information – Depending on your location and business type, eBay may request identity verification and tax details.
Product information – Prepare clear product titles, detailed descriptions, competitive pricing, and high-quality photos. This builds trust and attracts buyers.
Shipping plan – Decide how you’ll fulfill orders—whether self-fulfillment, third-party logistics, or dropshipping—and set accurate delivery times and costs.

If you’re a Shopify user, connecting your store to eBay is even easier. Instead of uploading everything manually, the eBay app for Shopify automatically syncs your listings, inventory, and order data. Just be sure your product information in Shopify is complete and up to date before connecting.

How to Sell on eBay in 2025: 7 Steps

1. Choose Your Selling Account Type

The first decision you’ll need to make is what kind of eBay account fits your goals: individual or business.

If you’re just testing the waters—say, clearing out your closet or running a virtual garage sale—an individual account will do the trick. But if you’re building a brand, selling in higher volumes, or running a Shopify store, a business account is the smarter choice. It unlocks more tools, custom branding, and protections designed for serious sellers.

Individual vs. Business Accounts

Feature	Individual Account	Business Account
Best for	Casual or one-time sellers	Full-time sellers, brands, Shopify merchants
Tax reporting	Personal tax details	Business tax ID and documentation
Branding options	Limited	Custom branding, business name display
Selling limits	Lower initial limits	Higher limits, scalable with performance
Access to tools	Basic	Advanced seller tools and insights

💡 Why it matters: Starting with a business account sets you up for long-term growth. You’ll simplify tax reporting, build brand recognition, and take full advantage of eBay’s seller tools. This step is especially important if you plan to connect your eBay account with your Shopify store later on.

2. Set Up Your eBay Seller Account

Once you’ve created your eBay account, you’ll receive an email asking you to verify it. After verification, eBay will guide you through a quick setup process.

You’ll be asked to provide a few key details about your business, such as whether you’re operating as a:

Sole proprietor
Registered business
LLC
Nonprofit

You’ll also need to share your business address, contact information, stakeholder details, and bank account for payouts.

Take a moment to carefully review everything before confirming. Once complete, you’ll be ready to start exploring eBay’s seller tools from your new homepage dashboard.

3. Create Your First Listing

Before you can start selling, you’ll need inventory ready to go. If you’re already an established seller, this step is straightforward. If you’re new, begin by adding products to your store.

From the Seller Hub, open the Listings dropdown menu and select Create listing. You’ll then configure your listing by filling in:

Product name or identifier
Listing description (clear and keyword-rich)
Category and item details
Quantity, price, weight, and dimensions
Package and shipping settings
Item specifics and variations (like size or color)
Product condition (new, refurbished, used, etc.)
Pricing model (auction-style or fixed-price)

Don’t forget to upload high-quality product photos and videos—these play a huge role in buyer trust and conversion.

When everything looks good, click Save and publish your listing to go live on eBay.

💡 Pro Tip: Use keywords in your product title and description that match what buyers are likely searching for. This helps your listings appear higher in eBay search results.

Use eBay’s Mobile App Features

The eBay app makes it simple to manage your business on the go. From your phone, you can:

Create and edit listings
Respond to buyer messages
Adjust prices in real time
Track orders and sales

For busy eCommerce entrepreneurs, these tools make it easier to stay responsive and in control—even when you’re away from your desk. The app is especially handy if you’re running multiple sales channels or syncing inventory with platforms like Shopify.

Write SEO-Optimized Titles

Your product title and description are two of the most important elements of an eBay listing. A well-crafted title not only helps your item show up in search results but also gives buyers a clear idea of what you’re selling.

To optimize your titles:

Use relevant keywords buyers are likely to search for.
Include key details such as brand, model, size, color, and condition.
Keep titles readable and professional—avoid filler words, all caps, or excessive punctuation.

Example:

❌ Great deal! Amazing shoes size 9!!!
✅ Nike Air Max 270 Men’s Running Shoes – Size 9, Black/White, New

The optimized version is keyword-rich, specific, and easy to scan—making it more likely to attract clicks and conversions.

If you’re syncing products from Shopify, review your titles to ensure they’re marketplace-ready. Small adjustments can make a big difference in how well your listings perform in eBay search results.

4. Price Competitively

Getting your pricing right can make or break a sale on eBay. To stay competitive, start by researching similar listings. Look at both active and sold items to understand what buyers are actually paying. For fast-moving products or items with steady demand, a fixed-price listing is often the best choice.

You can also take advantage of eBay’s Terapeak Product Research tool (found in Seller Hub) to analyze market trends, pricing history, and buyer demand.

Pricing Formats to Consider

Buy It Now – Best for consistent, predictable pricing. You can also use simple pricing psychology—like ending prices in .99—to make listings more attractive.
Auction – Works well for rare, collectible, or high-demand products. Just remember there’s more risk if bidding stays low. To protect your margins, set a reasonable minimum bid and consider adding a reserve price.

No matter which format you choose, make sure your pricing:

Reflects the true value of your product
Accounts for eBay fees and shipping costs
Aligns with buyer expectations

Competitive pricing not only improves visibility but also builds buyer trust—helping you close more sales.

Auction vs. Buy It Now: Which Should You Choose?

eBay’s marketplace is competitive, with many sellers offering similar products at different price points. While factors like shipping speed and seller ratings matter, price is often the deciding factor for buyers.

When you create a listing, you’ll need to decide between two main pricing formats—Auction or Buy It Now—each with its own advantages.

Format	Pros	Cons	Best for
Auction	• Can drive up the final price through bidding • Creates urgency and buyer competition • Great for rare or hard-to-price items	• No guaranteed price • Risk of lower profits if bidding is slow • Buyers must wait until auction ends	Collectibles, limited editions, or products with unpredictable value
Buy It Now	• Immediate purchase and payment • Predictable pricing and margins • Ideal for scaling and managing inventory	• May get less attention than auctions • Requires competitive pricing to stand out	Everyday products, impulse buys, or items with steady demand (e.g., apparel, electronics, accessories)

If you’re running a Shopify store and syncing inventory with eBay, Buy It Now listings are usually more efficient for keeping pricing consistent and inventory under control. Still, auctions can be a smart way to test demand for unique or hard-to-value products.

5. Set Up Shipping and Returns

Modern shoppers expect fast, affordable shipping—and in many cases, free shipping can be the deciding factor. To stay competitive:

Offer low or no-cost shipping when possible.
Use your preferred carrier’s services to balance speed and affordability.
Consider expedited options to attract buyers who value quick delivery.
Print shipping labels directly through eBay to save time and streamline fulfillment.

If you’re selling large or bulky items, offering local pickup can be a practical alternative that saves both you and your buyer money.

eBay Guaranteed Delivery

eBay Guaranteed Delivery (EGD) is designed to help shoppers receive their orders faster while protecting sellers from added risk.

To qualify, sellers must:

Offer same-day or one-day handling
Complete at least 100 transactions per year
Maintain a late-shipment rate below 5%
Provide accurate handling times and upload tracking information promptly

Once enrolled, eBay calculates and guarantees the delivery date for buyers. This assurance builds trust, improves visibility in search results, and can lead to higher sales.

While meeting the requirements takes consistency and organization, the benefits of increased exposure and customer confidence often outweigh the extra effort.

eBay International Shipping (EIS)

As of March 31, 2023, eBay replaced both the Global Shipping Program (GSP) and eBay International Standard Delivery (eISD) with a unified system: the eBay International Shipping Program (EIS).

EIS combines the benefits of the older programs while simplifying cross-border selling and adding extra protections for sellers.

How It Works

Automatic enrollment – Eligible U.S. sellers (Above-Standard or Top-Rated) are automatically enrolled.
Ship to hub – Once an international order is placed, you ship the item to eBay’s domestic hub. eBay then handles overseas delivery, customs, duties, tracking, and returns.
Protection and simplicity – Sellers are shielded from issues such as lost, delayed, or damaged packages, as well as negative feedback related to shipping.
Return handling – Buyers can return items within 30 days. eBay manages the entire return process at no cost to the seller.
No extra fees – Sellers only pay standard eBay selling fees. International buyers cover shipping, duties, and taxes.

Perks for Shopify Merchants

Streamlines cross-border sales without extra logistics management.
Automatically applies to eligible items, making it easy to expand global reach once your Shopify store is synced with eBay.
Provides built-in protections, allowing you to focus on growth instead of customs and paperwork.

To confirm your enrollment or adjust preferences, head to Seller Hub > Shipping Preferences or My eBay > Account settings, where you can also manage country exclusions.

Create Your Return and Exchange Policies

While eBay allows sellers to set their own terms, offering 30-day returns is considered best practice and aligns with buyer expectations. Providing free returns can further increase buyer confidence and make your listings stand out in competitive categories.

Because eBay displays return policies prominently in each listing, having a buyer-friendly policy not only builds trust but can also improve your visibility and conversion rates.

6. Understand eBay Payments and Taxes

Getting paid on eBay is simple, but there are a few key details sellers—especially beginners—should understand about payout timing and tax reporting.

Payouts: eBay sends payments directly to your bank account, typically within 1–3 business days after the buyer’s payment clears.
Fees: Selling fees and payment processing costs are automatically deducted before the payout.
Taxes: eBay collects and remits sales tax on behalf of sellers in many regions. However, you’re still responsible for tracking and reporting your business income for tax purposes.

Staying on top of these basics will help you manage cash flow, avoid surprises, and keep your business compliant.

When You Get Paid

eBay manages payments directly, giving buyers multiple checkout options such as:

Apple Pay
Credit and debit cards
eBay gift cards, vouchers, and eBay Bucks
Google Pay
Payment upon pickup
PayPal and PayPal Credit
Spendable funds

In certain categories or special cases, buyers may also use:

Checks
Escrow
Money orders
Online payment services (e.g., Allpay.net, CertaPay, Fiserv, Nochex.com, XOOM)
Wire or bank transfer

After a sale, eBay deducts the applicable selling fees and deposits the remaining balance into your linked bank account.

Payout Process

Payout schedule: Choose daily, weekly, biweekly, or monthly deposits.
Processing time: Once a buyer pays, funds are typically released within 1–3 business days.
New seller holds: If you’re new to eBay, payments may be temporarily held (up to 21 days) until your account builds a history of successful transactions.

✅ To avoid delays, verify your account details, ship orders promptly, and always upload tracking information.

Tax Reporting Requirements

If you sell items on eBay in the U.S., you may receive a Form 1099-K for tax purposes. Starting in 2024, eBay must issue a 1099-K if your gross payments exceed $5,000 in a calendar year. This applies whether you sell full-time, part-time, or simply declutter your home.

Key Points for Sellers

Changing thresholds: The 1099-K threshold drops to $2,500 in 2025 and is expected to fall further to $600 in 2026, unless regulations are delayed.
Keep detailed records: Track all sales, expenses, and returns. Proper bookkeeping simplifies tax reporting and ensures you accurately report profits or losses.
Hobby vs. business: Regular sellers aiming for profit may be considered a business by the IRS. Business sellers can often deduct expenses such as shipping, packaging, and eBay fees.
Reporting personal sales: Even if you sell personal items at a loss, receiving a 1099-K may still require reporting the activity on your tax return.

When in doubt, consult a tax professional to ensure compliance with federal and state requirements and to accurately report your eBay income.

7. Connect eBay to Shopify

The fastest and easiest way to sync your Shopify store with eBay is through Shopify Marketplace Connect. This tool helps you expand your sales across top marketplaces while simplifying day-to-day operations.

With Marketplace Connect, you can:

Centralize order and inventory management across platforms
Bulk edit listings and map attributes for each marketplace
Tailor product information to fit platform-specific requirements, improving visibility and sales

Marketplace Connect also allows you to link your Shopify catalog to other leading marketplaces, including:

Amazon
Walmart
Etsy
Target

By using the app, syncing product listings and maintaining inventory becomes seamless, letting you focus on growing your business.

“I think the majority of people want to do right by others, and they want to do good and provide a great shopping experience,” says Carl Martens, co-founder of Aventuron, a Shopify merchant selling bikes, camping, and overlanding gear. “eBay allows us to do that.”

What Sells Best on eBay in 2025

eBay, like Amazon, allows sellers to offer a wide range of products—from everyday items to quirky, niche finds like popcorn-scented pillows.

Some of the most popular categories include:

Automotive: Car and motorcycle parts, accessories, lighting, and performance gear
Business and Industrial: Automation tools, lab and medical equipment, testing instruments
Clothing and Accessories: Apparel, handbags, beauty products, and watches
Collectibles: Military memorabilia, action figures, rocks and minerals, vintage blades
Computers and Networking: Laptops, replacement parts, printer supplies, gaming gear
Health and Beauty: Fragrances, supplements, and wellness products
Home and Garden: Small appliances, HVAC systems, outdoor and renewable energy tools
Jewelry and Watches: New and vintage pieces, watch parts, loose gemstones

eBay primarily operates as a reseller platform, with both casual sellers and top-rated professionals managing their own listings, shipping, and inventory. You can also dropship on eBay, listing products you don’t physically stock. When an item sells, a third-party supplier ships it directly to the customer.

This approach allows sellers of all sizes to reach millions of buyers worldwide without the overhead of storing inventory.

eBay Selling Fees Breakdown

Selling on eBay involves two main platform fees:

Insertion Fee (Listing Fee)
- eBay gives all sellers 250 free listings per month.
- Beyond that, you’ll pay an insertion fee, typically $0.35 per listing, depending on the category and listing format.
- This fee applies regardless of whether the item sells.
Final Value Fee
- Charged when your item sells, this is a percentage of the total sale, usually between 2.5% and 15%, depending on the product category.
- A fixed fee also applies per order (typically $0.30 for sales under $10 or $0.40 for sales over $10).
- The final value fee is calculated based on the entire transaction amount, including item price, shipping, taxes, and any other applicable charges.

Factors Affecting Your Fees

Number of listings you publish each month
Product category
Whether you have an eBay store subscription, which can reduce some fees

To avoid surprises, always review your category-specific fees in eBay’s Seller Center.

Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

Starting on eBay is exciting, but even small mistakes can hurt your sales and seller rating. Here are common pitfalls and how to avoid them:

Low-quality or unclear photos – Use bright, high-resolution images with a clean background. Show products from multiple angles and highlight any flaws.
Vague or inaccurate descriptions – Be specific. Include brand, size, condition, model number, and other details buyers care about. Honesty builds trust and reduces returns.
Overcharging or undercharging for shipping – Weigh and measure items before listing. Use eBay’s shipping calculator or set flat rates to avoid surprises at checkout.
Ignoring feedback – Monitor your seller feedback and respond professionally, especially to negative reviews. Strong ratings influence buyer decisions.
Not offering returns – Offering a 30-day return window can boost buyer confidence and improve your search ranking.
Listing too few products – The more listings you have, the more visible your store becomes. Start with a variety of items to increase your chances of making sales.

Avoiding these missteps helps you build credibility, attract more buyers, and scale faster—especially if you’re syncing your Shopify store with eBay.

How to Sell on eBay FAQ

How do beginners sell stuff on eBay?
To start selling on eBay, first determine if it’s the right platform for your business. Create an eBay seller account, connect it to your Shopify store if needed, list your inventory, and start making sales.

How much does it cost to sell on eBay?
eBay charges an insertion fee if you list more than 250 items per month. Additionally, a final value fee applies to each sale—typically 3% to 15% of the sale price, plus $0.30 per order.

How do you sell on eBay for free?
If you list fewer than 250 items per month, eBay waives the insertion fee. You still pay a final value fee, which can reach up to 12.55%, depending on the product category.

What is the downside of selling on eBay?
Selling on eBay comes with fees, high competition, and limited control over branding. New sellers may face temporary payment holds, and negative feedback can impact your seller reputation.

How do you make money selling on eBay?
To maximize earnings:

Focus on in-demand products
Craft keyword-rich listings
Set competitive prices
Deliver excellent customer service
Use promotional tools, monitor trends, and refine your strategy as you grow

How to Sell on eBay in 2025: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners