Selling on Mercari in 2026: the flat 10% fee, buyer-paid shipping and payout costs
Mercari charges sellers a flat 10% selling fee on the item price plus any buyer-paid shipping, with no separate payment processing fee. Buyers pay a 3.6% Buyer Protection fee. Direct deposit withdrawals are free; a failed deposit costs $2 and Instant Pay costs $3 per cash-out.
Short answer: Mercari charges sellers a flat 10% of the item price plus any buyer-paid shipping, with no separate processing fee. Buyers pay a 3.6% Buyer Protection fee on top. Cashing out by direct deposit is free, Instant Pay costs $3, and a failed deposit costs $2.
Mercari’s pricing is the simplest in US resale: one percentage, one fee basis. The one catch is easy to miss. The 10% applies to the shipping the buyer pays as well as the item.
Mercari’s fees at a glance
From Mercari’s Fees on Mercari article, checked 13 September 2026:
| Fee | Who pays | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Listing | — | Free |
| Selling fee | Seller | 10% of item price + buyer-paid shipping |
| Buyer Protection fee | Buyer | 3.6% of item price + buyer-paid shipping |
| Payment processing | — | None charged separately |
| Direct deposit | Seller | $0 ($2 if the deposit fails) |
| Instant Pay | Seller | $3 per cash-out, up to $600 a month |
These rates apply to listings created or updated on or after 6 January 2025. Mercari says older listings are updated automatically, or when you edit them.
Worked example: a $40 sweater with buyer-paid shipping
Assumptions: the buyer pays $8 shipping, which covers the label, and you paid $6 for the sweater.
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Item price | $40.00 |
| Buyer-paid shipping | $8.00 |
| Selling fee (10% of $48) | −$4.80 |
| Shipping label | −$8.00 |
| Cost of goods | −$6.00 |
| Net profit | $29.20 |
| Net if cashed out with Instant Pay | $26.20 |
The $3 Instant Pay fee is 7.5% of the item price here. Use it when you need the money today, not by habit.
Shipping: charge it or build it in?
If you offer free shipping, the label comes out of your price, but there is no buyer-paid shipping for the 10% to apply to. If the buyer pays, the fee also applies to the shipping amount. Either way, quote the label after packing and weighing, because an underquoted label costs you more than the fee does.
What tends to suit Mercari
Practitioner guidance, not Mercari data:
- Mid-priced general clothing you want to move quickly without complicated fee maths.
- Mixed inventory. Mercari sells well beyond clothing, which helps when you source home goods and toys alongside apparel.
- Bundles, where one label covers several items.
Before you list
- Price from sold listings. The pricing guide walks through it.
- Work out 10% on the item price plus buyer-paid shipping, not the item alone.
- Cash out by direct deposit unless you actually need the money today.
Mercari is one of the marketplaces built into the profit calculator. See the fee comparison for how it stacks up against eBay, Poshmark and Depop.
Editorial note
Mercari’s fees here apply to US sellers. Promotions and optional services can change what you receive. Check the linked source before pricing a batch.
How we checked this
The selling fee, buyer protection fee and withdrawal fees were read from Mercari’s Fees on Mercari help article on 13 September 2026. The worked example states its assumptions. Category fit is practitioner guidance.
- Verified marketplace rule
- Selling fee, fee basis, buyer fee and withdrawal fees link to Mercari documentation.
- Worked example
- Sale price, shipping and cost of goods are illustrative assumptions.
- Practitioner guidance
- What suits Mercari is editorial judgement.
Sources
- Fees on Mercari
Mercari Help · checked September 13, 2026
The 10% selling fee on item price plus buyer-paid shipping, the 3.6% buyer protection fee, free direct deposit, the $2 failed-deposit fee and the $3 Instant Pay fee.
Frequently asked
- What is Mercari’s selling fee in 2026?
- A flat 10% of the item price plus buyer-paid shipping, for listings created or updated on or after January 6, 2025. There is no separate payment processing fee for sellers.
- Does Mercari charge a fee to cash out?
- Direct deposit to your bank is free. Mercari charges $2 for a failed direct deposit and $3 for each Instant Pay transfer to a debit card.
- Does the buyer pay a fee on Mercari?
- Yes. Buyers pay a 3.6% Buyer Protection fee on the item price plus buyer-paid shipping, shown at checkout.