Poshmark and Mercari both charge a 10% to 20% seller fee in the U.S. as of 2026. A side-by-side breakdown of the real fee math, shipping ($6.49 on Poshmark via USPS Ground Advantage vs Mercari's carrier labels), audience fit, and which platform to choose, with every figure tied to a dated primary source.
Written by
Alize Mendez
Published on
June 13, 2026
Key takeaways
Poshmark and Mercari are both U.S. resale apps for clothes, shoes, and accessories, but they make money differently and cater to different audiences. Poshmark revolves around a social feed: you share listings, follow others, and join themed selling events. This setup is especially effective for fashion and brand-name items. On the other hand, Mercari is a quieter, search-focused marketplace that covers almost any category. Poshmark and Mercari charge different seller fees in the U.S., so the real choice depends more on audience and effort than on the basic fee. Here's the short version: choose Poshmark if you're selling apparel and are willing to invest time in sharing; go with Mercari if you sell a wider range and prefer a simpler listing process. Many sellers use both platforms.
This comparison is based on fee structures and shipping rates from each platform's policy pages, which are dated and linked here. The examples use the same calculations you'll do every time you price an item. Since fees and shipping details often change, we cite the source and date for each number and update this guide with any policy changes.
Here's a snapshot of how the two platforms compare as of June 2026. Each fee or shipping detail is linked in sections below.
| Factor | Poshmark | Mercari |
|---|---|---|
| Selling fee (US) | Flat $2.95 on sales under $15; 20% on $15 and up | 10% of item price plus buyer-paid shipping |
| Extra buyer-side fee | None on the item; buyer pays shipping | 3.6% buyer protection fee at checkout |
| Best for | Clothing, shoes, handbags, brand names | Almost any category, including electronics and home goods |
| Selling style | Social: sharing, following, themed parties | Search and browse, low maintenance |
| Shipping (US) | Flat prepaid USPS Ground Advantage label, paid by buyer ($6.49 up to 5 lb / 2.3 kg since Sept 2025) | Prepaid label, buyer or seller pays; carrier and weight options |
| Offers to likers | Yes, with a shipping discount | Yes, to recent likers for 24 hours |
| Payout | Direct deposit or Posh balance; held until delivery confirmed | Direct deposit ($0 fee), held until delivery confirmed; Instant Pay is $3 |
Fees are important in determining your profit margin, so you should start there. Poshmark uses a two-tier fee structure: for sales under $15, you pay a flat $2.95, while sales of $15 or more incur a 20% fee on the listing price. These details can be found in Poshmark's own Seller Fee Policy (confirmed June 2026). For a $40 dress, Poshmark takes $8, leaving you with $32, as the buyer covers shipping.
Contrary to a common myth, Mercari is not fee-free. It was for a short period but reinstated a 10% selling fee effective January 6, 2025, on the item price plus buyer-paid shipping, as stated in Mercari's Fees on Mercari help article (confirmed June 2026). Buyers also pay a 3.6% buyer protection fee at checkout, and the previous payment-processing fee has been eliminated. Therefore, a $40 sale on Mercari costs you $4 in seller fees, leaving $36 before shipping. If a guide suggests that Mercari takes nothing, it's outdated.
Here's the calculation to consider before setting prices, excluding shipping:
| Sale Price | Poshmark Keeps | You Net (Posh) | Mercari Keeps (10%) | You Net (Mercari) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $12 tee | $2.95 | $9.05 | $1.20 | $10.80 |
| $25 sweater | $5.00 | $20.00 | $2.50 | $22.50 |
| $40 dress | $8.00 | $32.00 | $4.00 | $36.00 |
| $120 jacket | $24.00 | $96.00 | $12.00 | $108.00 |
Two key points emerge from this. First, Mercari's 10% rate is lower than Poshmark's 20% rate for any sale over $15, making Mercari more cost-effective for sellers based solely on item fees. Second, the savings in raw dollars are most significant on high-priced items ($12 saved on a $120 jacket), but in percentage terms, Poshmark's flat $2.95 fee can take up to a quarter of a $12 tee's selling price. Many resellers still prefer Poshmark for apparel due to its buyer base, not the fee, which is the next factor to consider.
Poshmark is heavily focused on women's fashion, shoes, and handbags, with a strong appeal for secondhand and brand-name items. If you're selling a wardrobe full of clothes, the audience is ready and eager to explore outfits. Sellers who share their listings daily tend to see faster sales due to the social feed's activity rewards. Brand-name apparel generally sells quicker on Poshmark than on Mercari, which is why many sellers accept Poshmark's higher 20% fee for those pieces.
Mercari offers a broader market. While it also sells clothing, it's also a platform for electronics, toys, home goods, collectibles, and beauty products. If your stock is varied or includes categories that Poshmark limits, Mercari offers a single platform to list everything. Buyers primarily use search rather than a social feed, so effective titles and precise keywords are more critical than follower numbers. Electronics and household items often find buyers on Mercari, while they barely make a dent on Poshmark.
If you'd like a visual guide, here's a quick way to decide where to list an item before putting it online.
This is an often underestimated difference. Poshmark operates like a social platform, linking sales to your sharing activity. A daily routine generally includes:
This strategy works when done consistently, but it requires daily time, typically 20 to 30 minutes. Mercari takes a more hands-off approach: list with good photos and clear titles, and respond to offers as they arrive. There's no daily sharing loop. If time is limited, Mercari demands less per sale.
Both platforms provide a prepaid label, so postage isn't a guessing game. On Poshmark, U.S. buyers pay a flat shipping rate, which dropped to $6.49 for packages up to 5 lb (2.3 kg) when Poshmark switched to USPS Ground Advantage on September 12, 2025, according to the Poshmark blog announcement. Sellers can also offer a shipping discount to close a sale. On Mercari, you choose the carrier and weight option and decide whether you or the buyer covers the cost; many sellers include shipping in the price.
Return policies differ. Mercari holds payment until the buyer confirms the item, with a short period to report issues. Poshmark generally only accepts returns if items are not as described, protecting sellers from returns due to buyer's remorse. The main reason for apparel returns is fit, a buyer expecting one brand's size M and receiving a different fit is likely to open a case. Across both platforms, fit issues account for most returns.
Flat measurements are essential here. List garments laid flat: pit to pit, length, sleeve, waist, and inseam, in both inches and centimeters. A buyer checking 20 inches (51 cm) pit to pit against their shirt avoids size guessing, reducing returns. Sizely is a web tool that lets sellers create a neat, brand-styled size chart to embed in a listing, with 300+ garment templates to choose from. Over 85,000 sellers use it across Poshmark, Mercari, eBay, and more for one simple reason: allowing buyers to ensure fit before buying reduces returns.
Yes, for most sellers. Crosslisting the same item on Poshmark and Mercari roughly doubles its visibility without increasing your costs, since the inventory and photos are already prepared. The key is quick management: when an item sells on one platform, remove it from the other promptly to avoid double-selling and cancellations, which can negatively impact your seller metrics.
A practical strategy is to maintain a master listing with your photos, flat measurements, and description in a note. Paste it into each app and adjust the title for each audience. Tailor the listing lightly: emphasize brand and style on Poshmark and prioritize searchable keywords on Mercari. Many sellers use a crosslisting tool to automate posting and delisting across platforms as volume increases.
Opt for Poshmark if you're selling women's fashion, shoes, and handbags, particularly brand names, and are willing to share daily to engage with the social aspect. Its buyer base is ideal for clothing, and its strict return policy protects you, even though its 20% fee is higher.
Choose Mercari if you sell a diverse range of categories, want the lower 10% seller fee, or have less time to manage listings. The search-focused model and lighter fee structure make it a lower-effort, lower-cost option, especially with the 3.6% buyer protection fee affecting the buyer instead of you.
For most resellers, the best choice is both. List on all platforms where your buyers are, manage your listings diligently, and let each platform play to its strengths.
Mercari is more cost-effective for sellers concerning item fees as of June 2026. It charges a 10% selling fee on the item price plus buyer-paid shipping, while Poshmark charges 20% on sales of $15 or more (or a flat $2.95 under $15). For a $40 sale, Mercari takes $4, whereas Poshmark takes $8. Note that Mercari also adds a 3.6% buyer protection fee, but this is paid by the buyer.
No, it does not. Mercari had a brief period with no seller fees in 2024 but reinstated a 10% selling fee effective January 6, 2025, as noted in its Fees on Mercari help article. The fee applies to the item price plus buyer-paid shipping. Buyers also pay a 3.6% buyer protection fee at checkout. If a guide claims Mercari is fee-free for sellers, it's outdated.
Yes, you can. Crosslisting the same item to both platforms is common and increases your reach. Just make sure to delist it from the other platform as soon as it sells in one place to avoid double-selling, which could harm your seller rating.
Poshmark is generally better for clothing, shoes, and handbags because its audience and social feed are centered around fashion. Mercari also does well with clothing but excels when your inventory includes electronics, home goods, or collectibles.
On Poshmark, the buyer pays a flat U.S. shipping fee of $6.49 for packages up to 5 lb (2.3 kg) via USPS Ground Advantage, effective September 12, 2025. Sellers can offer a discount. On Mercari, you choose the shipping carrier and weight option and decide who covers the cost; many sellers include shipping in the price.
Most apparel returns happen because of fit issues, not condition. Include flat measurements (pit to pit, length, sleeve, waist, inseam) in both inches and centimeters, and add a size chart so buyers can compare with clothing they already own before purchasing.
If you want to learn more about either platform, start with the complete guide to selling on Poshmark and the guide to selling on Mercari. For broader selling options, see 10 alternatives to eBay and apps and sites to sell clothing online. For pricing higher-end items, check out the pros and cons of selling on Amazon and eBay.
Before you pick a platform, run the numbers: the free Poshmark fee calculator and Mercari fee calculator show your real payout on each. Selling clothes? Make a size chart image for your listings in about a minute with the free Size Chart maker.
Written by
Alize brings a deep understanding of the complexities of apparel sizing and has been instrumental in developing innovative measuring techniques that are at the heart of Sizely's technology. With over 5 years of experience as an online seller, her insights into clothing measurements have helped countless e-commerce businesses minimize returns and enhance customer satisfaction.
More from the blog
Guides on how to measure yourself, read a brand's size chart, and convert sizes between brands and countries, so you order the right size the first time.
Block a problem buyer on eBay in four steps, then set buyer requirements so you rarely have to. Includes a threshold-setting framework and how clearer listings cut the fit returns that create problem buyers.
Sophie Clipton
July 11, 2026
A seller's guide to canceling an eBay order, including the Seller Hub steps, the 30-day window, fee credits, and which reasons avoid an account defect.
Jason
July 11, 2026
A step-by-step 2026 guide to eBay's Time Away (vacation mode): where to find it, whether to pause or allow sales, what keeps running, and how to return.
Alize Mendez
July 11, 2026
