eBay Drops Fees for UK Private Sellers in Bid to Outpace Rivals

eBay has eliminated fees for private sellers in the UK across most categories in a move to strengthen its position against fast-growing competitors like Depop and Vinted. The new policy exempts vehicle sales but includes all other items, allowing sellers to list for free.

Earlier this year, eBay had removed fees for private sellers of second-hand clothing, leading to a surge in listings for items such as jeans and shirts. This latest move expands that offering to a broader range of products, continuing to drive user engagement and sustainability efforts.

Kirsty Keoghan, eBay UK’s general manager, noted that the change is aimed at providing buyers with more inventory options while simplifying the selling process for users. According to eBay, the fee removal has already resulted in double-digit growth in listings and helped keep more items out of landfills.

This update comes as eBay faces mounting competition from platforms like Depop and Vinted, both of which operate under different fee structures. Depop, for instance, recently scrapped its 10% seller fee but introduced a marketplace fee for buyers. Meanwhile, Vinted charges no fees to sellers but levies a buyer protection fee on purchases.

The latest eBay survey suggests that nearly 300 million unused items in UK homes could generate up to £9 billion in resale value. Popular categories include clothing, DVDs, and gadgets, with almost a quarter of households owning items worth over £500.

Following a similar move by eBay’s German site last year, the company saw a substantial increase in both sellers and buyers, with sellers purchasing twice as much as those who don’t sell.