How to Sell on eBay in 2025: 7-Step Guide for Beginners

Running an ecommerce business means constantly looking for ways to reach new customers and increase sales. Selling on eBay is a practical way to do just that.

With 134 million active buyers worldwide, eBay offers entrepreneurs a massive built-in customer base and global reach. Whether you’re selling vintage finds or trending products, you can promote them directly on eBay while keeping everything synced with your Shopify store. 

Taking an omnichannel approach, where eBay becomes one of several strategic sales channels, helps you reach more shoppers and seize new opportunities for growth.

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

What do I need to start selling on eBay?

Before you can list an item, you’ll need a few basics in place:

1. An eBay account: Sign up using your email address through the registration page. Choose a business account if you plan to sell regularly or at scale.
2. Bank account details: eBay uses direct deposit to pay sellers, so you’ll need to link a valid bank account to receive payouts.
3. Valid ID and tax information: eBay may ask for identity verification and tax details depending on your location and business type.
4. Product details: Gather your product titles, item details, pricing, and high-quality photos. These help build trust and draw in potential buyers.
5. Shipping plan: Decide how you’ll fulfill orders—whether through self-fulfillment, third-party logistics, or dropshipping—and set clear delivery times and costs.

If you’re a Shopify user planning to connect your store to eBay, don’t worry about importing everything manually. The eBay app for Shopify makes it easy to sync your listings, inventory levels, and order data. Just make sure your product info is complete and up to date in Shopify before you connect.

How to sell on eBay in 2025: 7 steps

1. Choose your selling account type
2. Set up your eBay seller account
3. Create your first listing
4. Price competitively
5. Set up shipping and returns
6. Understand eBay payments and taxes
7. Connect eBay to Shopify

1. Choose your selling account type

The first step to selling on eBay is choosing the type of account that best fits your goals: individual or business.

If you’re testing the waters or selling occasionally, like running a garage sale, an individual account may be enough. But if you’re building a brand, selling at volume, or running a Shopify store, a business account is the smarter choice. It gives you access to more tools, custom branding, and seller protections designed for entrepreneurs.

Individual vs. business accounts

Why it matters: Choosing a business account from the start sets you up for growth. You can build brand recognition, simplify tax reporting, and take full advantage of eBay’s seller tools. It’s especially important if you plan to integrate your eBay account with your Shopify store down the line.

2. Set up your eBay seller account

After you create your account, eBay will send an email prompting you to verify it.

Next, eBay will ask a few questions about your business information, including whether you’re a:

• Sole proprietor
• Registered business
• LLC
• Nonprofit

The platform will also request your business address, contact details, stakeholders, and bank account information.

Take a moment to review and confirm everything, and then you’ll land on eBay’s homepage.

3. Create your first listing

To list products on eBay, you’ll need inventory. If you’re an active and established seller, you’re good to go. If you’re new, start by adding products to your store.

Once you have products ready for listing, select Create listing in the Seller Hub Listings dropdown menu.

Configure the following settings for your eBay listing:

• Product name or identifier
• Listing description
• Category and item details
• Quantity, price, weight, and other options
• Package settings and shipping details
• Item specs and variations
• Condition of the product
• Pricing

You’ll also have the chance to add product photos and videos. Choose your pricing model: auction-style listings or fixed-price listings. 

When you’re ready, click Save your changes and push it live.

Use eBay’s mobile app features

TheeBay app makes it easy to manage your business on the go. You can create and edit listings, respond to messages, adjust prices, and track sales—all from your phone.

For busy ecommerce entrepreneurs, these tools help you stay responsive and in control, even when you’re away from your desk. This is especially useful if you’re managing multiple sales channels or syncing inventory across platforms like Shopify.

Write SEO-optimized titles

Your product title and description are among the most important elements of your eBay listing. A strong title helps your item appear in search results and gives buyers a clear idea of what you’re selling.

Use keywords that shoppers are likely to search for, and include key details like brand, model, size, color, or condition. Keep it readable and avoid unnecessary punctuation or filler words.

Example:

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

The strong version is keyword-rich, specific, and easy to scan, so it’s more likely to get clicks and conversions.

If you’re syncing your products from Shopify, double-check that your product titles are optimized for marketplaces like eBay, not just your online store. Even small tweaks can significantly improve visibility in search results.

4. Price competitively

Setting the right price can make or break a sale. To stay competitive, start by researching similar listings on eBay. Check both active and sold items to understand what buyers are willing to pay. A fixed price listing works well for fast-moving products or items with consistent demand.

You can also use eBay’s Terapeak Product Research tool (available in Seller Hub) to analyze pricing trends and demand.

Consider your pricing format:

• Buy It Now works well for merchants who want consistent, predictable pricing. You can use pricing psychology, like ending prices in .99, to make listings feel more appealing.
• Auction listings may be ideal for rare or in-demand products, but they carry more risk if bidding remains low.

If you use auctions, choose a reasonable minimum bid, and consider setting a reserve price to protect your margins.

Whichever route you choose, make sure your price reflects your product’s value, accounts for fees and shipping, and meets buyer expectations. A competitive price builds trust and helps you close more sales.

Auction vs. Buy It Now comparison

eBay’s marketplace is highly competitive, with similar products listed at a wide range of prices. While buyers also consider factors like shipping speed and seller ratings, price is often the deciding factor.

When creating a listing, you’ll choose between two main pricing strategies, Auction or Buy It Now, each with its own strategy:

If you’re running a Shopify store and syncing inventory to eBay, Buy It Now listings usually offer more control and efficiency. That said, auctions can be a great way to test demand for unique or hard-to-price items.

5. Set up shipping and returns

Today’s shoppers expect free or low shipping costs. Offer competitive rates using your preferred shipping service, and consider free or expedited shipping to drive more sales. For added convenience, you can print shipping labels directly through eBay. 

If you’re selling large or bulky items, offering local pickup can be a helpful alternative.

eBay Guaranteed Delivery

eBay Guaranteed Delivery (EGD) helps shoppers get their orders faster without adding risk for participating sellers.

To qualify for EGD, eBay sellers must offer same-day or one-day handling. eBay calculates the delivery date, then guarantees on-time arrival to the buyer. 

Sellers must complete at least 100 transactions per year and maintain a late-shipment rate below 5% to be eligible. Participating sellers must also provide accurate handling times and upload tracking information on time.

The increased visibility and sales from EGD easily offset the added effort required to meet its requirements.

eBay International Shipping (EIS)

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

The new EIS retains the benefits of GSP, without requiring sellers to manage cross‑border logistics or customs. It also adds enhanced protections and simplified processes.

Here’s how it works:

1. Automatic enrollment: Eligible US sellers (typically Above‑Standard or Top‑Rated) are automatically enrolled. 
2. Ship to hub: Once an international sale occurs, you ship the item to eBay’s domestic shipping hub. eBay handles overseas shipping, customs, duties, tracking, and returns.
3. Protection and simplicity: Sellers are protected from issues like lost, delayed, or damaged shipments and negative feedback related to shipping.
4. Return handling: Buyers can return items within 30 days. eBay handles the entire return process at no cost to the seller.
5. No extra fees: Sellers pay only standard eBay selling fees—buyers cover international shipping, duties, and taxes.
   
   

Perks for Shopify merchants:

• Streamlines the process of cross-border selling.
• Automatically applies to eligible items, so once connected, your Shopify inventory can go global with minimal effort.
• Provides built-in protections so you can focus on growth, not paperwork or logistics.
  
  

Make sure to check eBay’s Shipping Preferences in your Seller Hub or My eBay > Account settings to confirm enrollment and manage country exclusions.

Create your return and exchange policies

Although other options are available, offering 30-day returns is eBay’s best practice and matches most buyers’ expectations. Free returns can further boost buyer confidence and encourage more sales.

Since eBay displays this information prominently, aligning your return policy with platform standards can help you stay competitive.

6. Understand eBay payments and taxes

Getting paid on eBay is fairly straightforward, but there are a few details sellers, especially new ones, should know about payout timing and tax reporting.

When you get paid

eBay manages payments directly, so buyers can check out using a variety of options, including: 

• Apple Pay
• Credit and debit card
• eBay gift card, eBay voucher, and eBay Bucks
• Google Pay
• Payment upon pickup
• PayPal and PayPal Credit
• Spendable funds

And the following are available in certain categories or under specific circumstances:

• Check
• Escrow
• Money order
• Online payment services (such as Allpay.net, CertaPay, Fiserv, Nochex.com, XOOM, etc.)
• Wire or bank transfer

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

Here’s how the payout process works:

• Payout schedule: You can choose to receive payouts daily, weekly, biweekly, or monthly.
• Processing time: Once the buyer pays, funds are typically sent within one to three business days, depending on your account settings.
• New seller holds: If you’re a new seller on eBay, you may experience temporary payment holds, usually up to 21 days, until your account establishes a track record of successful sales and deliveries.

To avoid delays, make sure your account is verified, ship orders promptly, and upload tracking details for each sale.

Tax reporting requirements

If you list items on the marketplace in the US, you may receive a Form 1099-K for tax reporting purposes. Beginning in 2024, eBay is required to issue a 1099-K if your gross payments exceed $5,000 in a calendar year. This applies regardless of whether you’re selling full-time, part-time, or just cleaning out your closet.

Here’s what sellers should keep in mind:

• The threshold is changing: The 1099-K threshold is $2,500 in 2025. It’s expected to drop to $600 in 2026, unless further delays are announced.
• Keep detailed records: Track all sales, expenses, and returns. Accurate bookkeeping helps you report profits (or losses) and makes tax season less stressful.
• Hobby vs. business: If you’re selling regularly with the intention of making a profit, the IRS may consider you a business, even if it’s a side hustle or hobby. Business sellers can typically deduct expenses like shipping, packaging, and eBay fees.
• No profit, still report? If you sell personal items at a loss, you might not owe taxes, but receiving a 1099-K still means you may need to report the activity on your tax return.

When in doubt, consult a tax professional to understand your obligations and ensure you’re filing correctly based on your selling activity and state requirements.

7. Connect eBay to Shopify

To sync Shopify with eBay, your best option is Shopify Marketplace Connect. This powerful tool is the fastest and easiest way to expand your sales across top-tier marketplaces.

It streamlines your operations by centralizing order and inventory management. With features like bulk editing and attribute mapping, it allows for a tailored product experience on each platform, helping boost sales across multiple channels.

You can also use Shopify Marketplace Connect to link your Shopify catalog to other leading marketplaces, including:

• Amazon
• Walmart
• eBay
• Etsy
• Target

Using the app makes it easy to sync your product listings.

“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, one of the founders of Aventuron, a Shopify merchant that sells bikes, camping, and overlanding gear. “eBay allows us to do that.”

What sells best on eBay in 2025

Like Amazon, eBay lets you sell just about anything, from shoes and electronics to niche finds like popcorn-scented pillows (yes, really).

Some of the most popular product 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, 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 operates primarily as a reseller platform, with both casual sellers and top-rated pros managing their own listings, shipping, and inventory. You can also dropship on eBay, listing products you don’t physically stock. When someone buys, a third-party supplier ships it directly to the customer.

eBay selling fees breakdown

Seller fees on eBay are straightforward. You pay two main platform fees:

1. Insertion fee (listing fee): eBay gives all sellers 250 free listings per month. After that, you’ll pay an insertion fee, typically 35¢ per listing, depending on the category and listing format. This fee applies regardless of whether the item sells.
2. Final value fee: When your item sells, eBay charges a percentage of the total sale. This fee usually ranges from 2.5% to 15%, depending on the product category, plus a fixed fee per order (usually .30¢ for sales under $10, or 40¢ for sales over $10).

Your final value fee is based on the entire transaction amount, including the item price, shipping, taxes, and any other applicable charges.

The exact fees you pay will depend on:

• How many listings you publish each month
• What category your product falls into
• Whether you have a store subscription, which can reduce some fees

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

Common beginner mistakes to avoid

Starting out on eBay is exciting, but even small mistakes can hurt your sales or seller rating. 

Here are some common pitfalls and how to avoid them:

• Using low-quality or unclear photos. Use bright, high-quality photos with a clean background. Show the product from multiple angles and highlight any flaws.
• Writing vague or inaccurate product descriptions. Be specific in your listing description. Include brand, size, condition, model number, and any details buyers care about. Honesty builds trust and reduces returns.
• Overcharging (or undercharging) for shipping. Weigh and measure your 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 to reviews, especially the negative ones. Strong ratings influence buyer decisions.
• Not offering returns. Consider offering a 30-day return window. It 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 healthy mix of items to increase your chances of making a sale.

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