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?
- 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.
- 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?
- 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.
- 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.
- If you receive a payment of $100, the fee would be calculated as follows:
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
- Currency Conversion Fees
- If you receive payments in a different currency, PayPal may also charge currency conversion fees.
- 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.
- 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.