is selling cameras on ebay profitable
Last updated: April 2026 ·affiliate disclosure
Most camera sellers on eBay see net margins between 15% and 35% after all fees and shipping costs. Whether that's profitable depends entirely on your sourcing strategy and sales volume. If you're buying cameras at wholesale or liquidation prices, you can hit 30%+ margins consistently. If you're buying used cameras at retail and reselling, you're looking at 10-20% margins—which can work at scale but requires high volume to generate real income.
eBay Fees for cameras Sellers
eBay charges you 12.9% in final value fees on cameras (this includes the base insertion fee, final value fee, and payment processing fee combined). On a $200 camera sale, that's $25.80 going directly to eBay. You'll also pay 2.35% + $0.30 for payment processing if the buyer uses PayPal or credit card. Add shipping costs: eBay calculates postage, but cameras are heavy—expect $15-40 for domestic shipping depending on the camera type. International sales bump final value fees to 14.9% plus additional payment processing charges.
Profit Margin Benchmarks
Good margins: You source a used DSLR for $80, sell it for $200, pay $25.80 in eBay fees and $20 in shipping. Your margin is $74.20 on a $200 sale (37%). Average margins: You buy a camera for $120, sell for $180, pay fees and shipping of $35. Your margin is $25 (14%). Poor margins: You buy for $150, sell for $180, pay $35 in fees and shipping. Your margin is -$5 (you lose money). Most camera sellers operate in the 20-28% range after accounting for returns and disputes.
Calculate your actual numbers
The margins above are averages. Your real profit depends on your specific price, costs, and volume.
Run Your eBay Profit Calculation →Verdict: Is It Worth It?
Selling cameras on eBay is profitable if you have reliable sourcing below wholesale prices. Without that, margins are thin and competition is intense. You'll need 50+ sales monthly to justify the time investment at 20% margins. The category works best if you're liquidating inventory, have access to bulk camera lots, or specialize in a specific niche (vintage film cameras, for example). As a solo arbitrage business starting from zero, expect 6-12 months to build enough sales velocity to make meaningful income.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the exact eBay fees for selling cameras?
eBay charges 12.9% final value fee on cameras (covering insertion, final value, and payment processing). On a $200 camera sale, that's $25.80. International sales increase this to 14.9%. You also pay $0.30 per transaction for payment processing on top of the percentage-based fees.
What margins can I expect selling cameras on eBay?
Net margins typically range from 15% to 35% depending on your sourcing. If you buy used cameras at 40-50% below retail and sell at market price, you'll hit 25-35% margins. If you're buying closer to market price, expect 10-20% margins. Account for returns and disputes, which reduce margins by 2-5% on average.
How much do eBay camera sellers actually make per month?
A seller moving 10 cameras monthly at $200 average price with 20% net margin makes $400/month profit. At 50 sales monthly, that's $2,000/month profit. Most part-time camera sellers do 5-20 sales monthly, generating $200-$1,200 in profit. Full-time sellers with strong sourcing do 100+ sales monthly and generate $4,000-$8,000+ profit.
Is it worth selling used cameras on eBay or should I focus on new?
Used cameras have higher margins (25-35%) because you can source them cheaper, but they require more description detail and generate more returns. New cameras have 15-20% margins but lower return rates. Used cameras are more profitable per unit; new cameras move faster. Most successful sellers mix both, with used cameras comprising 60-70% of sales volume.
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