The seller transaction fee on PayPal refers to the charge applied to sellers when they receive payments for goods or services through the platform. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know about these fees:

What is the Seller Transaction Fee?

  1. Definition
    • The seller transaction fee is a percentage of the total payment amount, plus a fixed fee, that PayPal deducts from each payment received. This fee is charged to the seller for using PayPal’s services to process transactions.
  2. Purpose
    • These fees help cover the costs associated with maintaining the PayPal platform, ensuring secure transactions, and providing customer support.

How Are Seller Transaction Fees Calculated?

  1. Percentage and Fixed Fee
    • The seller transaction fee typically consists of a percentage of the transaction amount plus a fixed fee based on the currency received. For example, in the U.S., the standard fee is usually around 2.9% plus $0.30 per transaction.
    • Rates may vary depending on the seller’s transaction volume, location, and whether the transaction is domestic or international.
  2. Example Calculation
    • If you receive a payment of $100, the fee would be calculated as follows:
      • 2.9% of $100 = $2.90
      • Plus a fixed fee of $0.30
      • Total fee = $2.90 + $0.30 = $3.20
    • Therefore, you would receive $96.80 after the transaction fee.

When Are Fees Charged?

  • Every Transaction
    • Seller transaction fees apply to each transaction where money is received through PayPal, whether for goods, services, or donations.

Additional Considerations

  1. Currency Conversion Fees
    • If you receive payments in a different currency, PayPal may also charge currency conversion fees.
  2. Business Accounts vs. Personal Accounts
    • Fees may differ for personal and business accounts. Business accounts may have access to lower rates based on transaction volume.
  3. Refunds
    • If you issue a refund to a buyer, PayPal does not return the transaction fees, which means you may lose the fee amount even if the sale is canceled.