How to Sell on Mercari in 2026: Fees, Shipping, Getting Paid

Published October 25, 2026 · By ListBomb

Short answer: Listing on Mercari is free. When an item sells, Mercari keeps a flat 10% of the item price plus any buyer-paid shipping. Ship within 3 business days, preferably with a Mercari prepaid label so the package has tracking and Shipping Protection, and the money lands in your Mercari balance once the buyer rates the order. Moving it to your bank by direct deposit is free. If the same item is listed anywhere else, take those copies down the moment it sells.

What selling on Mercari costs

Mercari changed its fees on January 6, 2025. These are the fees for any listing created or updated since then:

Example: you sell a jacket for $40 and the buyer pays $8 for shipping. The 10% fee is on $48, so it's $4.80, and you keep $35.20 for the item. If you offer free shipping instead, the label cost comes out of your earnings too, so build it into your price.

Older guides that say Mercari sellers pay no selling fee describe the 2024 fee structure, which Mercari replaced in 2025.

Step 1: Take photos that sell

• Use daylight or a bright room and a plain background.
• Make the first photo the whole item, then add close-ups of tags, brand labels, model numbers, measurements and any flaws.
• For clothing, show the size tag and lay the item flat; for electronics, show it powered on.

Step 2: Write a title and description buyers search for

• Title: brand + item + model or size + one key detail, such as "Nike Air Max 270 Men's 10.5, Black." Keep it short and specific.
• Description: condition in plain words, what's included, measurements, and every flaw. Honest descriptions mean fewer returns.
• Category, brand and condition: fill them all in so the listing shows up in Mercari's filters.
• No outside links or contact info. Keep everything in Mercari's app.

ListBomb can draft the title, description and an estimated price from your photos (the estimate is based on eBay asking prices). Read the draft and fix anything that isn't exactly right before you list.

Step 3: Price from sold listings

Asking prices show what sellers hope for; sold prices show what buyers paid. Search for the same item, filter to sold listings, and price a little above the lowest number you'd accept, because Mercari buyers often make offers. Remember the 10% fee and, if you're paying for shipping, the label cost.

Step 4: Pick your shipping option

When you list, Mercari suggests a shipping weight and the cheapest carrier option in that weight class. You choose who pays.

Mercari's prepaid labels come with Shipping Protection of up to $200 for standard, economy and Media Mail rates (up to $20 for First-Class Envelope) if you follow its guidelines. Weigh the item in its packaging: if the package turns out heavier or bigger than the label, the seller pays the difference.

Step 5: Ship within 3 business days

1. Pack the item carefully and attach the label. Mercari emails it to you and it's also on the Order Status page.
2. Drop it off with the right carrier. Mercari warns not to drop FedEx Ground Economy or UPS Ground Saver packages at USPS.
3. Tap the confirm-shipment button on the Order Status page only after drop-off. If you never confirm, the buyer may be able to cancel and you may not get paid.

Step 6: Get paid

After the package is delivered, the buyer usually has 3 days to check the item and rate you. If they don't rate in time, Mercari gives you an automatic 5-star rating and releases the money to your balance. From there:

• Direct deposit: free, once a day, usually 5 to 7 business days.
• Instant Pay: $3, about 30 minutes, needs a debit card and ID check.

Step 7: List it on more than one site

Mercari reaches shoppers nationwide, which is great for clothing, sneakers, electronics, collectibles and other items that ship easily. The same item can also sell on eBay or locally on Facebook Marketplace or OfferUp. Listing it in more places gets more buyers to see it. The risk is selling one item twice, so remove every other copy the moment it sells.

Here's how ListBomb handles each site:

ListBomb never posts to Mercari in the background. When you mark an item sold, ListBomb ends the eBay listing and walks you through taking down each other copy.

Quick checklist

1. Bright photos, flaws included.
2. Specific title with brand, model and size.
3. Price set from sold listings, with the 10% fee in mind.
4. Prepaid label for anything under 50 lbs and 34 inches.
5. Shipped and confirmed within 3 business days.
6. Every other copy removed the day it sells.

Want to write one listing and get it ready for every site? ListBomb is free for 2 items at a time, with Basic at $9.99 a month and Pro at $19.99 a month.