You’re clearing out the garage or finally decided to part with those sneakers you never wear. Naturally, you head to Facebook Marketplace. It feels like the Wild West of commerce—no fancy storefronts, just a photo and a "pick up in the driveway" vibe. For a long time, it was the only major platform that felt truly free. But things have changed quite a bit recently.
If you’re wondering does facebook marketplace charge fees, the answer is a very loud "it depends." Honestly, it’s all about how the money changes hands. If you are handing a lamp to a neighbor for a $20 bill, you’re in the clear. But the moment you involve a shipping label or a "Buy Now" button, Mark Zuckerberg wants a piece of the action.
The 10% Reality Check: Shipped Orders
Let’s get the big one out of the way. If you sell an item and choose to ship it through the official Facebook checkout system, you are going to get hit with a fee. In 2024, Meta effectively doubled their take. It went from a modest 5% to a much more noticeable 10% selling fee.
This isn't just a 10% tax on the price of your item, either. This is where most sellers get tripped up. Facebook calculates that 10% based on the total transaction amount. That means they take a cut of the item price, the shipping cost the buyer paid, and even the sales tax.
Think about that for a second. If you sell a vintage jacket for $50 and the buyer pays $10 for shipping and $4 in tax, the total is $64. Facebook takes $6.40. You only pocket $43.60 before you even deal with your own costs. It’s a bit of a sting, especially since you’re paying a commission on tax money that you never even see.
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- Minimum Fee: There is a floor. If you're selling cheap stuff, Facebook takes a minimum of $0.80 per shipment.
- The "Zero Fee" Myth: People still say Marketplace is free. They aren't lying, but they are usually talking about local sales.
- Chargeback Risks: If a buyer disputes a charge and wins, Facebook might slap you with a $20 chargeback fee.
Why Local Pickup is Still King
If you want to keep every single cent of your sale, stay local. When you list an item for "Local Pickup Only," Facebook acts more like a digital bulletin board than a retail platform. You meet the buyer at a gas station, they check out the goods, and they hand you cash or send you a Venmo.
Since the payment happens outside of Facebook’s ecosystem, they have no way—and currently no policy—to charge you.
This is the "pure" version of Marketplace. No fees. No waiting 15 to 20 days for a payout. Just a direct exchange. It’s why so many people still prefer it over eBay or Poshmark, even if it means having to occasionally deal with "is this still available?" messages from people who never show up.
The Hidden Costs of Convenience
Let's talk about shipping labels. As of early 2025, Facebook stopped offering those handy prepaid shipping labels for many new listings. This means the days of just clicking "Print" and dropping a box at the Post Office are mostly over for individual sellers. You usually have to buy your own label through a third-party site like Pirate Ship or directly at the counter.
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Because you're paying for shipping yourself now, you have to be incredibly careful with your math. If you don't bake that 10% fee into your "shipping and handling" cost, you’ll find yourself essentially paying Facebook for the privilege of sending your own stuff away.
Business vs. Individual Sellers
If you're running a Facebook Shop (the more professional version of Marketplace for businesses), the rules are slightly different but the costs are still there. Most shops pay a 2.9% processing fee, but if you're a Shopify merchant, you might find some of these processing fees waived depending on your current integration. However, the standard Marketplace "Shipped" fee of 10% remains the benchmark for most people just trying to move inventory.
How to Protect Your Margins
Selling in 2026 requires a bit more strategy than it did five years ago. You can’t just post and pray.
First, try the "Local First" window. Give your item three or four days as a local-only listing. If it doesn't sell, then toggle the shipping option. This gives you a chance to snag a fee-free sale before opening it up to the national market where the 10% haircut applies.
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Second, bundle your items. If you have five $10 items, don't sell them individually. The $0.80 minimum fee and the shipping costs will eat you alive. Bundle them for $45. You’ll pay one fee, use one box, and keep way more of the profit.
Third, document everything. Since you’re paying for that 10% fee, you are technically paying for "Purchase Protection." Make sure you upload tracking numbers immediately. If you don't, Facebook can hold your funds for weeks, or worse, refund a buyer who claimed the package never arrived because there was no digital paper trail.
Actionable Strategy for Sellers
Check your active listings right now. If you have old items with shipping enabled, go into the settings and see what the "Estimated Payout" looks like. You might be surprised to see how small that number is compared to your asking price.
To maximize your take-home pay:
- Set a "Local Only" default for heavy or low-value items where shipping isn't worth the 10% cut.
- Factor the "Fee on Tax" into your pricing. Since Facebook charges you a percentage of the buyer's tax, increase your base price by 1-2% to cover that hidden leak.
- Use third-party shipping tools to find the cheapest rates, as Facebook no longer subsidizes labels the way they used to.
- Keep conversations on Messenger. If a dispute happens, Meta's support won't look at your WhatsApp screenshots or text messages. Using the platform's tools is the only way to ensure the fee you're paying actually provides you with seller protection.