How Much Does Whatnot Charge Sellers? A Complete Guide to Whatnot Fees

You're planning to sell on Whatnot and want to understand the Whatnot seller fees? You're right to check before hosting your first live stream.

On Whatnot, the costs aren't limited to a simple commission. There are two different types of fees: the Whatnot selling commission and the payment processing fees.

This is exactly what confuses many new sellers. It's easy to assume that only a sales commission is deducted. In reality, payment processing fees are charged in addition to the commission.

In this guide, I'll explain exactly how Whatnot fees work, the commission percentage, special cases, and the calculations you should understand before you start selling.

 

Whatnot Fees: The Quick Answer

For sellers based in Europe, Whatnot generally applies the following fees:

Fee Type	Amount	Notes
Whatnot selling commission	6.67% + VAT	Applies to most categories
Coins & Currency category	4% + VAT	Reduced commission rate
Payment processing fee	2.42% + €0.25 + VAT	Calculated on the total amount paid by the buyer
Seller account	Free	No registration fee
Whatnot live streams	Free	No fee to host a live show
Whatnot storefront	Free	No monthly subscription required

In short, every sale includes:

• a selling commission based on the item's sale price;
• payment processing fees based on the total amount paid by the buyer;
• VAT applied to these fees.

Personally, I always recommend calculating your profit using both types of fees. Otherwise, you may overestimate how much you'll actually earn.

What's the Difference Between the Commission and Payment Processing Fees?

This is the most important part of the article.

The Whatnot commission is the fee charged by the platform for allowing you to sell on the marketplace.

The payment processing fee covers the cost of handling the financial transaction.

These two fees are calculated differently.

Whatnot Selling Commission

The commission is calculated on the sale price of the item.

For example, if you sell an item for €50, the commission is calculated only on that €50.

Payment Processing Fees

Payment processing fees are calculated on the total amount paid by the buyer.

This amount may include:

• the item's sale price;
• shipping costs;
• applicable taxes;
• VAT, depending on the buyer's country.

That's why two sales with the same selling price can result in slightly different fees.

Simple Example of How Whatnot Fees Are Calculated

Let's use a simple example.

You sell a trading card, collectible figure, or piece of clothing for €50.

The Whatnot commission is 6.67% of the sale price.

• €50 × 6.67% = €3.34

You'll also pay the payment processing fee.

This fee is 2.42% + €0.25, but it's calculated on the total amount paid by the buyer.

If the buyer pays €50 plus shipping and VAT, the final fee may be slightly higher than expected.

This is the detail that surprises many new sellers.

Why Is Your Net Earnings Sometimes Lower Than Expected?

Many sellers ask this question after their first few sales.

They sell an item for €20, €50, or €100, then realize their final payout is lower than expected.

This difference usually comes from several factors:

• the Whatnot commission;
• payment processing fees;
• VAT applied to those fees;
• shipping costs you may be responsible for;
• different tax rates depending on the buyer's country.

My advice is simple: never calculate your profit based only on the selling price.

Always leave yourself a safety margin, especially if you're selling low-margin products.

Do Commission Rates Vary by Category?

Yes.

Many sellers discover this only after opening their store.

Most categories use the standard 6.67% + VAT commission, but some categories benefit from lower rates.

The Coins & Currency Category

For sellers in the Coins & Currency category, Whatnot applies a reduced commission.

The current rate is 4% + VAT.

This lower rate can save you a significant amount of money on high-value sales.

Before creating your listings, make sure your products are placed in the correct category.

The €1,500 Commission Cap: An Important Update

Since 2026, Whatnot has introduced a seller-friendly rule for certain categories.

When an item sells for more than €1,500, the commission is no longer charged on the entire selling price.

Instead, the commission only applies to the portion of the sale up to €1,500.

Any amount above €1,500 is not subject to the standard Whatnot selling commission.

Example

Imagine you sell a rare Pokémon card for €2,000.

• The first €1,500 is subject to the selling commission.
• The remaining €500 is exempt from that commission.

Keep in mind that this rule doesn't apply to every category.

It mainly applies to eligible collectibles covered by Whatnot's official fee policy.

Are Payment Processing Fees Charged on Shipping Costs?

Yes.

And it's probably one of the least-known details about Whatnot fees.

Payment processing fees aren't calculated only on the item's selling price.

They're based on the total amount paid by the buyer.

This generally includes:

• the selling price;
• shipping costs;
• applicable taxes;
• VAT when applicable.

As a result, two items sold for exactly the same price can generate slightly different payment processing fees.

Why Do My Earnings Change Even When I Sell at the Same Price?

Many new sellers think there's a mistake when they receive different payouts for similar sales.

In reality, several factors affect your final earnings.

The most common are:

• shipping costs;
• the buyer's country;
• VAT;
• payment processing fees calculated on the total transaction;
• whether you contribute to shipping costs.

This is completely normal.

I recommend reviewing your earnings across several sales instead of judging them based on a single transaction.

Where Can You See the Exact Fees Charged?

Whatnot provides a detailed breakdown after every sale.

From your Seller Hub, you can review each transaction in detail.

Simply go to:

Seller Hub → Orders → Receipt and Earnings

There you'll find:

• the sale price;
• the Whatnot commission;
• the payment processing fees;
• VAT applied to the fees;
• shipping costs;
• your net payout.

This is the first place I check whenever I want to verify how much I earned from a sale.

Can You Reduce Whatnot Fees?

There's no option to lower Whatnot's commission.

However, a few best practices can help protect your profit margins.

1. Set the Right Starting Price

Don't base your selling price only on your purchase cost.

Remember to include commissions, payment processing fees, and any other expenses.

2. Avoid Selling Very Low-Margin Items

Items sold for only a few euros are affected the most by the fixed payment processing fee.

In some cases, selling several items as a bundle can be much more profitable.

3. Pay Attention to Shipping Costs

Although buyers usually pay for shipping, shipping costs still influence the payment processing fees.

That's why it's worth configuring your shipping settings carefully.

If you're new to the platform, I also recommend reading my guide on how to sell on Whatnot. It includes practical tips to help you maximize your profits from your very first live sales.

Are Whatnot Fees Higher Than Other Marketplaces?

This is one of the most common questions sellers ask.

The answer depends on which marketplace you're comparing it with.

Compared with eBay, Vinted, or Etsy, Whatnot uses a different pricing structure.

The platform charges a relatively low selling commission but adds payment processing fees.

In return, you benefit from:

• live selling;
• an established buyer community;
• built-in shipping tools;
• secure payment processing;
• excellent visibility for active sellers.

In my opinion, the fees remain competitive if you make good use of live shows and build a loyal customer base.

Common Mistakes When Calculating Your Profit

Many sellers make the same mistakes when they first start selling.

Here are the most common ones.

• Only taking the Whatnot commission into account.
• Forgetting about payment processing fees.
• Ignoring VAT applied to the fees.
• Underestimating shipping costs.
• Selling with margins that are too low.

Before every live show, I recommend calculating your minimum acceptable selling price.

That way, even if bidding doesn't reach your target, you'll avoid selling at a loss.

FAQ: Whatnot Seller Fees

How much is the Whatnot selling commission?

For most European sellers, the standard commission is 6.67% + VAT. Some categories qualify for a reduced rate.

What are Whatnot's payment processing fees?

In Europe, payment processing fees are 2.42% + €0.25 + VAT. They're calculated on the total amount paid by the buyer.

Are shipping costs included in the fee calculation?

Yes. Payment processing fees are based on the total transaction amount, including shipping costs and any applicable taxes.

Is there a subscription fee to sell on Whatnot?

No. Creating a seller account, opening a storefront, and hosting live shows are all free. You only pay fees when you make a sale.

Where can I see the exact fees charged for each sale?

Open Seller Hub → Orders → Receipt and Earnings from your seller dashboard. You'll find a complete breakdown of every transaction.

Can you negotiate Whatnot's commissions?

No. Whatnot's fees are set by the platform and are applied automatically based on your country and product category.

My Opinion on Whatnot Seller Fees

Before selling on Whatnot, it's important to understand that the platform doesn't charge just one fee.

You also need to account for payment processing fees, which directly affect your final profit.

Once you understand how both fees work, calculating your earnings becomes much easier.

Personally, I think Whatnot's fees are reasonable considering what the platform offers: live selling, secure payments, an existing audience, and built-in shipping tools.

The key is to calculate your profit margins carefully before every live stream.

If you'd like to learn more, I also recommend reading my guides on how to sell on Whatnot and how to make money on Whatnot. They complement this guide perfectly.