How the Resale Fee Calculator Works
This calculator models the fee structure for Mercari, Poshmark, and any custom resale platform. Select a preset to auto-fill the correct fee percentages, or use Custom mode to enter your own values.
Mercari Preset
The Mercari preset uses a 10% seller fee on the item price plus buyer-paid shipping, with a 3.6% buyer protection fee for reference. The buyer protection fee is charged to buyers and does not reduce your payout.
Poshmark Preset
The Poshmark preset uses a conditional fee: $2.95 for sales under $15, or 20% for sales $15 and above. No payment processing is added separately.
Seller Fees vs Buyer Fees
Most resale platforms charge sellers directly, but Mercari also charges buyers a Buyer Protection fee (~3.6%). This is shown in the calculator as a reference to help you understand the total cost to the buyer.
Resale Profit Formula
Mercari:
Gross Base = Item Price + Buyer-Paid Shipping
Platform Fee = Gross Base × 10%
Net Payout = Gross Base − Platform Fee − Seller Shipping
Net Profit = Net Payout − Product Cost − Packaging − Other Costs
Poshmark:
If Sale Price < $15: Poshmark Fee = $2.95
If Sale Price ≥ $15: Poshmark Fee = Sale Price × 20%
Net Payout = Sale Price − Poshmark Fee − Shipping Discount
Net Profit = Net Payout − Product Cost − Packaging − Other Costs
Mercari vs Poshmark Fee Example
| Scenario | Mercari (10%) | Poshmark ($2.95/20%) |
|---|---|---|
| $10 sale | $1.00 fee → $9.00 payout | $2.95 fee → $7.05 payout |
| $15 sale | $1.50 fee → $13.50 payout | $3.00 fee → $12.00 payout |
| $25 sale | $2.50 fee → $22.50 payout | $5.00 fee → $20.00 payout |
| $50 sale | $5.00 fee → $45.00 payout | $10.00 fee → $40.00 payout |
| $100 sale | $10.00 fee → $90.00 payout | $20.00 fee → $80.00 payout |
Mercari is cheaper for items $15 to $29.50. Poshmark's flat $2.95 wins for items under $15. Above $29.50, Poshmark's 20% exceeds Mercari's 10%.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate resale seller fees?
Resale seller fees are calculated as a percentage of the sale price (sometimes including buyer-paid shipping), or as a flat fee. For Mercari: fee = (item price + buyer-paid shipping) × 10%. For Poshmark: fee = $2.95 if under $15, or sale price × 20% if $15 or more. Use this calculator to model any resale platform's fee structure.
What is seller net payout?
Seller net payout is the amount you receive after the platform takes its fee but before your other costs. For Mercari: payout = (item price + buyer shipping) − (10% of that base) − seller shipping. For Poshmark: payout = sale price − Poshmark fee − shipping discount. Your net profit is payout minus product cost, packaging, and other expenses.
Should buyer fees be included in profit calculations?
Buyer fees (like Mercari's 3.6% Buyer Protection fee) do not reduce your payout directly. However, they increase the buyer's total cost and can reduce conversion rates. For competitive pricing, consider buyer-side costs: a lower item price that saves the buyer 3.6% may lead to more sales even if your payout stays the same.
Is Mercari cheaper than Poshmark?
Mercari is cheaper than Poshmark for items priced $15 to $29.50 (10% vs 20%). Poshmark is cheaper for items under $15 ($2.95 flat vs 10%). Above $29.50, Poshmark's 20% ($5.90+) exceeds Mercari's 10% ($2.95+). Compare both with this calculator for your specific items.
Why does profit change when shipping is buyer-paid?
On Mercari, the buyer-paid shipping is included in the fee base — the platform takes 10% of the shipping amount too. So a $7.48 buyer shipping adds $0.75 to your Mercari fee. On Poshmark, shipping labels are deducted from earnings separately. Understanding who pays shipping and how it affects fees is key to accurate profit calculation.
What is effective take rate?
Effective take rate is the total platform cost (fees + shipping discounts + payment processing) divided by gross revenue, expressed as a percentage. A lower take rate means you keep more of each sale. Comparing take rates across platforms gives a more accurate picture than fee percentages alone.