Which ecommerce marketplaces take the least margin from US sellers?

Following 2020, eCommerce saw a second boom with activity surging by 25.7%. While opportunistic businesses ramped up their eCommerce activity locally, some businesses saw this as a chance to break into new markets.

It’s never too late to jump into international markets. In fact, there are a wealth of opportunities tapping into markets that rival or even exceed America’s economic activity. However, with the uncertainties of how much activity there will be, choosing a marketplace to start on can be intimidating. 

Some places make their money on monthly fees while others are all about the commission. The one you choose will depend on what you expect your marketplace experience to look like. But before you do that, you need to understand how these marketplaces compare when it comes to how much margin they take.

First, we’ll break down each marketplace based on the monthly fees and commission rates.

Global rates

Amazon

• Monthly fee: $39.99

• Commission: 8-15%

• Active users: 300 million

Amazon is one of the most well known and highly trafficked marketplace sellers. It’s one of the first choices for people wanting to open up an online marketplace business because of this. But Amazon is aware of its reputation and pays a premium because of that.

First, you’ll be responsible for a $39.99 monthly fee just to start selling on their website. Then you’re giving up an 8-15% commission for every sale. With its active user account, making enough sales to cover the monthly fee is realistic. It doesn’t change the fact that watching these fees eat into your margins is a hard pill to swallow. 

When considering whether to sell on Amazon, keep in mind it can be a gateway for people to discover your product after which you can try to direct them to your own online storefront or another platform to improve your profitability.

Additionally, Amazon offers the ability to scale your sales globally by placing products on the international versions of their site. If you’re considering selling abroad with Amazon, consider opening up accounts in the countries you sell to reduce fees associated with foreign exchange rates.

Ebay

• Monthly fee: $27.95

• Commission: 2.35-15%

• Active users: 159 million

Once the hottest website for finding incredible steals and unique finds, Ebay has transitioned to be more in line with traditional ecommerce. While there’s still an active user base of sellers putting their old collectibles and unused goods up for others to bid on, some sellers solely operate by selling new products for a set price.

Even though Ebay has a cheaper monthly fee and potentially lower commissions relative to Amazon, it comes with nearly half the active users. But you should also consider brand image and customer expectations when it comes to selling on Ebay. The website doesn’t necessarily attract a customer base that’s expecting to pay full price. Rather, you could be selling to people only looking for steals meaning discounted prices that make up for the difference in selling costs. People may also associate your brand with “discount” products which can be damaging if you see yourself as a premium brand.

Etsy

• Monthly fee: None

• Commission: 5%

• Active users: 90.65 million

Etsy is the one website you can buy curses and rituals while also picking up some new crochet patterns to fill your weekend with. But beyond that, it’s also extremely seller friendly. With no monthly fee, a reasonable 5% commission, and a high active user count, there isn’t much of a compromise selling on their site. 

You also get the added perk of your products appearing to be “artisan” by selling on the platform. It’s a great way to make your brand appear human and personable. If you’re willing to put in the effort to add a little bit of personality to your storefront, there’s high potential to succeed selling on Etsy.

Fruugo

• Monthly fee: None

• Commission: 15%

• Active users: 25 million

One of the first things you see when you land on Fruugo’s website is its pledge of big savings on favorite brands. Perhaps that’s why it’s seen consistent year over year growth for the last 6 years. So while it only reported 25 million active users at the time of writing this, that number should inevitably go up.

Getting started on selling Fruugo is relatively easy. They will translate your listings for each market and won’t be asking for a monthly fee once you get set up. But the 15% commission is on the higher side of the global online marketplaces. This makes it a great place to test selling on a new global marketplace without worrying about a consistent, recurring cost. So long as the commission doesn’t eat too much into your profit margin, it’s an effective way to get in front of new audiences and identify trends. For example, if you start selling a large volume in a specific region, it can signal it’s time to get set up on another marketplace specific to that region.

Online Marketplaces in the United States

Newegg

• Monthly fee: None

• Commission: 8-15%

• Active users: 4.2 million

Newegg was founded in 2001 primarily as a place to get computer parts. From there, it naturally expanded into other technology products. But since being acquired by Liaison Interactive in 2016, it has continued to expand the products it offers. Now when you buy a computer, you can grab a new kettle to brew the tea you drink, new exercise equipment to offset the time sitting at said computer, and a vacuum to clean the dust off the exercise equipment.

With no monthly fee and just an 8-15% commission, Newegg is very reasonable to get started selling on. With its reputation, it’s likely best to start selling there if you have technology based products as those are what’s most popular amongst its demographic. 

Sears

• Monthly fee: $39.99

• Commission: 8-20%

• Active users: 16 million

For sellers focused on selling primarily in the US, Sears can be a good alternative to Amazon and Ebay. But with one of the higher monthly fees and commission rates, you might be feeling a bit hesitant to get started. 

Sears does offer benefits that make the fees easier to swallow. They offer 24/7 customer support on your behalf not to mention their reputation of having a wide variety of products for almost any need means you’re likely to be put in front of high intent customers. However, the fees make it more palatable to established sellers with a history of success. New sellers who don’t see immediate performance can get sunk by all the nickel and diming.

Walmart

• Monthly fee: $12.95

• Commission: 8-15%

• Active users: 220 million

Is there a name more synonymous with being a one stop shop than Walmart? Their active user base of 220 million is a testament to its reputation in America. As they increased their online presence, they knew that the next level of growth would be to add marketplaces for other online sellers.

One way of attracting sellers is with a lower fee and commission rate than the previously talked about Sears. Their fees are even competitive with Amazon and Ebay without much of a sacrifice in the active users. This makes it considerably easier to get started selling without losing too much by way of profit, although it still favors those with a proven track record of sales. With its attractive seller model, there will be increased competition relative to marketplaces that favor your niche.

Wish

• Monthly fee: None

• Commission: 15% revenue share

• Active users: 100 million

You might recognize Wish from their stint as the sponsor of the Los Angeles Lakers which cost them something in the range of $30 million. That’s no chump change. While there’s no telling how much that advertising lead to its 100 million active user count, it does send one clear message: Wish wants to grow.While they are no longer the jersey sponsor, they’re still as enticing of a marketplace as ever. No registration fees, no monthly fees, just a 15% revenue share. You only pay if you sell products while being on the sixth largest ecommerce site. 

The only real con to consider is that Wish now carries the reputation of having low quality products as it’s been flooded with sellers trying to make a quick buck. A simple search of “Wish expectations vs reality” brings up a large volume of cautionary tales you may not want your brand associated with.

Zibbet

• Monthly fee: $6 per sales channel

• Commission: None

• Active users: Unknown

Zibbet is unique since it doesn’t have a commission rate. Instead, you pay a flat fee based on how many sales channels you want to go through, then manage all sales, inventory, and product changes in a single space. You pay a $6 fee for each sales channel you opt to use and the fee is reduced to $5 per month if you pay annually. That means you can start selling for just $60 a year.

If you’re not sold yet, a 14 day free trial makes selling on Zibbet a no brainer.You can give it a try, see how the experience is, then decide on how many channels you want to operate. The one caveat is it favors artisan or unique products. But if you fall into that category, Zibbet is incredibly accessible for new and established sellers alike.

Online Marketplaces in Europe

Allegro

• Monthly fee: 39 to 3000 Zloty

• Commission: 4-11%

• Active users: 21 million

Allegro operates out of Poland and is the gateway to selling in the eastern European market. They have a high active user base, but beyond that the user base are typically repeat consumers meaning you have opportunities for recurring revenues. This makes the monthly fee easier to manage for those looking to protect their margins and achieve consistent performance.

The monthly fees depend on what features you want. The Basic plan offers enough features for most sellers unless you’re wanting your logo on your listings, an ad campaign planner, or access to all trade analytics. You can review the subscription options here.

You should know before getting started that you will have to translate your listings into Polish. Consider finding a contractor to complete the translations for you to avoid any awkward wording and to give your page a feel of authenticity.

Cdiscount

• Monthly fee: 39.99 EUR

• Commission: 5-20%

• Active users: 10 million

One of the most visited ecommerce websites in France, Cdiscount brings in over 10 million active users every month. With products spanning a wide variety of categories, almost any seller has an opportunity to expand to the French market using Cdiscount. 

But like so many sellers on this list, their reputation and ubiquity comes at a cost. Commission can range from 5-20% on top of a monthly fee. Similar to what Sears provides in the US market, Cdiscount does offer benefits by way of their customer service and extensive distribution network. It ensures buyers have a smooth experience and those positive feelings will carry over to your product. 

Overall, Cdiscount best suits sellers who are wanting to break into a new market with a specific audience and are willing to pay the price to do so.

Fnac

• Monthly fee: 39.99 EUR

• Commission: 7-16%

• Active users: 36 million

Another French marketplace, Fnac claims a higher active user account while also potentially offering a lower commission rate. Where it falls short relative to the aforementioned Cdiscount is the variety of products offered. Fnac is most commonly known for its technology and media products including books, CDs, and video games. So while the numbers may look like they favor one over the other, Fnac will be most appealing to sellers that fit within that niche. Like other more niche shops on this list, there is an added benefit of knowing you’re going to be put in front of the eyes of a higher intent audience, so long as your product is right.

La Redoute

• Monthly fee: 49 EUR

• Commission: 17%

• Active users: 10 million

For sellers specializing in fashion and home goods, La Redoute is the best fit for breaking into the French marketplace with the added benefit of their additional presence in over 26 countries. They also offer a lot of flexibility to sellers by giving them full control of many aspects of the selling process. Additionally, buyers get flexibility in their payment options making La Redoute a marketplace where both parties feel empowered to make transactions on their terms.

However, sellers are also responsible for all aspects of order fulfillment meaning selling on La Redoute is more like paying for the shop’s webpage real estate and promotions. That wouldn’t be much of a problem if the fees weren’t so high relative to the competition. Be sure you have the infrastructure to sustain the necessary order activity for selling on La Redoute to be profitable.

OTTO

• Monthly fee: 39.90 EUR

• Commission: 7-15%

• Active users: 9.4 million

You’ve obviously heard of Amazon, but have you heard of OTTO? Because they’re the second biggest ecommerce company in Germany with a marketplace of over 5,000 sellers and over 9 million active users. The cost of getting on such a high trafficked website is a high commission rate on top of a monthly fee. 

Otto is most known for its fashion and lifestyle products. Home goods and clothing sellers will be a great fit for selling here, otherwise the monthly fee you spend on being listed can start to eat into your cash flow. 

PriceMinister

• Monthly fee: $33

• Commission: 5%

• Active users: 11 million

No, PriceMinister isn’t a government position, it’s actually a very popular marketplace based in France with an international customer base. It’s also part of the Rakuten group, a big name in the world of ecommerce with far reaching name recognition. Simply put, PriceMinister will help you break into multiple new markets abroad while listing on a single marketplace.

There’s an almost dizzying array of products available on the website but you’re given an opportunity to make your store stand out with customization options, marketing tools, and access to a consultant. These features make the monthly fee and commission numbers much more reasonable. Overall, PriceMinister is a great option for sellers that want to break into international markets with a support system to help along the way.

Real.de

• Monthly fee: 19.95 EUR

• Commission: 5.9-12.5%

• Active users: 2.6 million

If you want to sell on a reputable marketplace in Germany, Real.de should be your first consideration. It’s widely known in the country for its vast product catalog that spans multiple categories so you’re sure to find a vertical you fit into. 

What makes Real.de a great option beyond its audience is the way they work to protect the seller. They will handle customer service while also offering you legal seller protection. This gives you peace of mind that your customers are having good experiences and confident that the marketplace is looking out for your best interests. With reasonable monthly fees and commissions for the level of service, Real.de is worth considering if you want to target a single country in Europe.

Bol.com

• Monthly fee: None

• Commission: 15%

• Active users: 13 million

Based out of the Netherlands but serving the general Benelux region (Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg), Bol.com is an Amazon alternative serving 13 million active users monthly. Just like Amazon, their product offerings fall into almost any category so all sellers can find a place for what they sell. 

With no monthly fees or set up costs, Bol.com is incredibly approachable for that first foray into international markets. Instead, they offer optional advertising programs to get your products in front of more eyes and increase brand awareness. Unfortunately, these programs can sometimes put shops in spending matches for storefront supremacy so be prepared for some potentially harsh competition.

Coolshop

• Monthly fee: None

• Commission: 4-15%

• Active users: 2 million

Since Coolshop is based in Denmark, it’s unclear whether the name refers to the products it sells or the climate it’s based in. Since they’ve expanded into 6 additional countries, it’s more likely it’s a reference to the products.

With that expansion, you might be thinking the larger user base will mean higher costs. This is actually not the case as Coolshop boasts no monthly fee and competitive commission amounts. But with those lower costs, you’ll probably get less support, right? Also surprisingly not the case. With Coolshop, you can list your products in English with a single price and they will then do the exchange rate and translate the listing for you. The downside? The exchange rate probably won’t be the best on the market. But the flexibility of expanding into new markets easily could be worth the cost.

eMag

• Monthly fee: None

• Commission: 7-25%

• Active users: 500,000

With a presence in eastern Europe spanning Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Poland, eMag is a worthwhile option when you’re looking to break into multiple countries in the same region. They’re also well established in the area with their own logistics service while subsidizing the cost of shipping products to their warehouses for quick distribution. If the experience isn’t up to your expectations, they’ll subsidize the costs of shipping the product back to you.

Selling in this region can be difficult given many of these countries still use cash as a standard method of payment. Since eMag accepts cash on delivery, you can get your product into the hands of customers at their convenience when the logistics would otherwise be significantly harder.

Fyndiq

• Monthly fee: No fee

• Commission: 10%

• Active users: 1.6 million

Sweden doesn’t have as many marketplace options as other countries with Fyndiq being the incumbent. Because of that, you’ll have a guaranteed audience as soon as you start listing. But Fyndiq differs from other marketplaces as they are in control of the sales process. Simply put, Fyndiq is selling your product while you only get control of the listing and retail price. In turn, you don’t get access to the sales information traditionally offered by online marketplaces.

If that sounds alright to you, you can get set up at no cost and no monthly fees with Fyndiq taking a flat commission rate out of every sale. This comes with the added benefit of Fyndiq handling all customer service enquiries since they’re effectively the seller. This makes them very appealing to newer sellers wanting to break into a new market.

Okazii.ro

• Monthly fee: None

• Commission: 2.6-6%

• Active users: 3 million

Another presence in the eastern European markets, Okazii.ro is based in Romania and boasts over 3 million active users. With no monthly fee, 100 free listings, and one of the most reasonable commission rates, the cost to access this new market is very low. On top of that, it’s simple to get started on in a couple of minutes.

If eastern Europe is in your future plans, one of the simplest and most affordable paths to access it is through Okazii.ro. It’s easy enough to give it a try without sinking too much money into your efforts.

Spartoo

• Monthly fee: 39 EUR

• Commission: 15-20%

• Active users: 8 million

If you sell fashion products, Spartoo is a shop operating in 30 countries in 12 languages specializing in that vertical. Selling both mens and womens products, they operate off the typical drop-shipping model. So with a high active user base and a very specific niche, Spartoo may seem like the perfect fit for some sellers.

But Spartoo can also be inaccessible to smaller sellers. There’s a minimum size requirement to sell on the platform. Sellers must offer at least 250 SKUs to start selling with Spartoo meaning mostly established, already grown businesses will find a place on their highly trafficked website. And if your enterprise is big enough to sell, you’ll still be faced with a monthly membership fee and some of the higher commission rates among European marketplaces. This makes Spartoo a great fit for a smaller subset of sellers than some of the other options on this list.

Online Marketplaces in the United Kingdom

GAME

• Monthly fee: £25

• Commission: 6-15%

• Active users: 4 million

As the name implies, GAME is known for selling fun products like video games, toys, and collectibles. These products typically have a big amount of demand from loyal fans meaning what you’re selling will be put in front of high intent customers. It’s because of this the brand has a big presence in the UK, but does commerce worldwide. They also boast an insane amount of growth with consistent year-over-year growth.

With a modest monthly fee and competitive commission fees, GAME doesn’t have a big barrier of entry like some marketplaces on this list selling to a specific niche. If your products fit what GAME is selling, there’s a chance to get loyal, consistent customers looking to flesh out their collection with the products they obsess over. GAME also provides assistance to shops getting set up and invest in your success early.

Not On The High Street

• Monthly fee: £199 initial

• Commission: 25%

• Active users: 2 million

One of the more exclusive shops on this list, Not On The High Street has an application process you must complete to be reviewed before selling on their platform. The pro is if you succeed, you’ll be dealing with less competition and be on a website with a reputation for quality. The con is you’re not guaranteed success which may make you want to focus your efforts elsewhere.

If you’re successful, you’re looking at an active user base of 2 million worldwide. You also don’t need to worry about fulfilling your own orders as Not On The High Street takes care of that for you. They also invest heavily in advertising and marketing meaning you’ll be selling on a website that’s only increasing in brand awareness. That’s very alluring for sellers trying to get into the public eye.

Folksy

• Monthly fee: £5

• Commission: 6% + VAT

• Active users: 300,000

Folksy is similar to Etsy. They specialize in crafty, handmade products like jewelry, art, and other unique finds. The active user count is on the smaller side, but remember that people with an affinity for these types of products can be loyal customers and spend a premium for something that is artisan.

There is a subscription option priced at £5 a month and is best suited for businesses with larger inventories. With it, certain fees (like a listing fee) are waived which means the more products you sell, the more likely it is you’ll cover the monthly cost. But the commission rate remains the same at 6% for all sellers.

OnBuy

• Monthly fee: £19

• Commission: 5-9%

• Active users: 6 million

OnBuy launched in 2016 and already has a large and growing active user base. Offering a wide variety of products over almost any vertical you can think of, there’s sure to be a fit for every seller. 

Perhaps one of the reasons OnBuy has consistently grown is because of the benefits it offers to both new and established sellers. Yes, it has a monthly seller fee but only if you pass a certain amount in sales. You also get immediate payments as soon as your product is dispatched. Most of the business is run through PayPal so you’ll likely be working with a payment platform you’re already comfortable and confident in. The only downside is dealing with some of those pesky PayPal payment fees.

OnBuy also does a lot for product promotion through various marketing channels without any cost to your business. These perks make any of the fees and commissions you face a lot more palatable.

Online Marketplaces in Asia-Pacific

Alibaba

• Monthly fee: $2,500/year

• Commission: 0%

• Active users: 1.18 billion

To say Alibaba is one of the biggest ecommerce platforms is somehow still an understatement. Their active users trump so many of the options on this list with an audience that spans the entire globe. So how do they offer the chance to sell in such high volume and take a zero to minimal commission fee?

For starters, there’s different subscription packages and your subscription package can determine your product ranking. It turns the platform more into a pay-to-win marketplace than one where the best rise to the top. The free option will offer you the lowest possible priority with a cap of just 50 product postings. The more you pay, the more perks you get including authentication, verification, and guaranteed 1st priority ranking. Then there’s a transaction fee which can either be a flat fee or a percentage of sale. Not to mention a 1-2% commission fee kicks in when order amounts exceed $5,000. 

Selling on Alibaba is tempting because it brings huge volumes of sales. But its pay-to-win environment doesn’t exactly offer an even playing field. Established sellers with a large amount of capital and recurring revenue are more suited for the platform and newer sellers should be wary not to sink too much money into selling on Alibaba only to be beaten out by someone with a bigger bank account.

JD Worldwide

• Monthly fee: $1,000-$3,000 annually

• Commission: 2-8%

• Active users: 552.2 million  

To put Alibaba’s dominance into perspective, JD Worldwide is China’s second largest ecommerce website and the active user count is just half of what Alibaba has accomplished. But they’re also a lot more approachable for most sellers.

The site offers two options: either you sell on their platform or they purchase your inventory and resell it to its customers. When you sell on their platform, you host your products and sell with a commission rate of 2 to 8% on top of an annual seller’s fee starting at $1,000. They’re also more accessible to foreign entities trying to sell on their platform. But if you want to skip that stress, selling your inventory and starting to develop some brand recognition in a new market is a great alternative.

Flipkart

• Monthly fee: None

• Commission: 5-25%

• Active users: 100 million

In the world of commerce, India is on the rise. If you want to focus on breaking into this growing market, Flipkart is the way to get there. It’s the country’s largest online marketplace and grants you access to 100 million active monthly users with product offerings across a wide range of categories. 

It’s relatively accessible for international sellers, however it’s worth noting they require you to have a local address for handling returns. So despite no monthly fee and competitive commission fees, this can be a big barrier of entry for some sellers.

Kaola.com

• Monthly fee: $1,000 annually

• Commission: 2-10%

• Active users: 30 million

Primarily known for food and high-end products, Kaola.com is another Chinese marketplace with a similar commission and fee structure to JD.com. An annual fee will get you on the marketplace and you’ll be paying a commission fee of 2-10% of your sales. But where Kaola.com stands out amongst other Chinese marketplaces is the more accessible entry requirements: to get started, you won’t need to have a Chinese entity established.

Rakuten

• Monthly fee: $39

• Commission: 8-15%

• Active users: 1 billion +

Although it started out in Japan, Rakuten is now one of the biggest ecommerce platforms worldwide. It’s also extremely appealing to sellers as it allows you to establish your own, personalized shopping space that can be designed to speak to your branding. It also offers a robust set of tools to help businesses understand their sales and reach new customers.

The commission rate is very competitive but there are additional fees to be mindful of including fees for registration and a recurring monthly fee. Though costly to get set up and running, the high active user count and customization options gives you the option to enter a new market on your terms and put your brand to the test.

Tmall Global

• Monthly fee: $5,000 annually

• Commission: 2-5%

• Active users: 500 million

Tmall Global has a high active user count and reasonable commission fees, but it’s pricing structure may seem similar to another name on this list. That’s because Tmall is actually owned by Alibaba. Because of that, it has a lot of the same pros and cons.

It’s barrier of entry into the Chinese market is a little bit lower than Alibaba as sellers don’t need a Chinese business license or physical presence in the country. But there is an application process to get started so you’ll be waiting for an undetermined period of time before knowing if you can sell on their platform.

Once you get started, you’ll have an annual service fee that starts at $5,000 and a deposit payment before you sell a single product. So for newer sellers who don’t have the capital to get on the platform and be competitive, Tmall has a chance of being a big sink of money without the lucrative success they thought would be possible.

Trade Me

• Monthly fee: None

• Commission: 7.9%

• Active users: 3.9 million

With an adorable kiwi mascot, it’s not hard to guess which country Trade Me is based out of. The New Zealand marketplace is number one in its country and offers up an active user count of 3.9 million. Similar to many names on this list, they offer many different categories making them a great fit for many different types of sellers. They also have one of the more straightforward pricing structures since there’s no monthly membership fees, just commission and listing fees. The 7.9% commission rate applies to all sellers on top of a variable listing fee depending on the product you sell. 

Whether you’re a low or high volume seller, you can find a place on Trade Me and be given equal opportunity without worrying about high associated costs.

AliExpress

• Monthly fee: None

• Commission: 5-8%

• Active users: 60 million

AliExpress also belongs to the Alibaba Group, but specializes in selling smaller quantities at wholesale prices. The fees system is also wildly different with just an annual technical service fee, one that doesn’t offer a pay-to-win system. Instead, you have to meet certain requirements like using an Alipay account and working with an agent.

Once you get started, you’re looking at a 5-8% commission fee on every transaction on top of a one time fee upwards of $1,500 to create or make changes to your storefront. Ultimately, Aliexpress is going to appeal to a very specific subset of sellers who are interested in wholesale selling or dropshipping. 

Catch.com.au

• Monthly fee: $49.99 AUD

• Commission: 8-25%

• Active users: 1.2 million

Getting into the Australian market typically means going through Catch.com.au. They have 1.2 million active users browsing a selection of over 7 million products across tons of categories. Their monthly fee and commission rates aren’t egregious, but there are some notable restrictions sellers should know before getting started.

First, Catch doesn’t want sellers that offer the same products they sell themselves. So some products and brands are total no-go’s before you even get started. Second, Catch is focused on offering discounted products. If you’re looking to charge retail prices or seem more expensive than other sellers on the market, Catch won’t be the perfect fit for you.

GittiGidiyor

• Monthly fee: 69 Turkish Lira

• Commission: 6-17%

• Active users: 28 million

GittiGidiyor has a familiar color scheme to another name on this list. That’s because the Turkish ecommerce marketplace with 28 million active users is actually Ebay-owned. 

The commission fees are competitive ranging from 6-17%, but they’re on top of one of five monthly subscription models. The lowest you’ll pay is 69 Turkish Lira to get started. But on top of that, you’re responsible for translating your listings so you may be looking to pay someone who’s fluent to get your listings localized.

Lazada

• Monthly fee: None

• Commission: None

• Active users: 23 million

Here’s something novel on this list: no monthly fees or commission fees. That’s right, Lazada is the leading online marketplace in Southeast Asia and despite that, you’re looking at some of the lowest cost to sell out of all ecommerce platforms.

So how does Lazada make money? Sellers pay a shipping fee for each product they sell with a 2% gateway fee. But despite these low costs, Lazada still supports its sellers and is one of the few platforms to offer guidance and video support to help new additions get started. Overall, it makes it one of the most accessible platforms for new sellers to get started on, but be prepared for high competition given the low barrier of entry.

Qoo10

• Monthly fee: None

• Commission: 7-12%

• Active users: 3 million

Another seller in the southeast Asian area with a presence in Singapore, Japan, China, and more, Qoo10 differs from Lazada in that it has a commission fee ranging from 7-12%. But how this rate is determined isn’t based on what you’re selling, but rather your shop’s reputation. The better your seller grade (which builds over time), the lower the fee you’ll pay. This system encourages sellers to provide good service and rewards them with a lower cost to sell.

Shopee

• Monthly fee: None

• Commission: 2%

• Active users: 200 million

Also based out of southeast Asia, Shopee is a mobile-only platform with 200 million active users with a specialization in fashion, beauty, and lifestyle products. The pricing is very reasonable with no monthly fee and just a 2% transaction fee on all completed orders. But with being so accessible comes a lot of competition. The marketplace doesn’t just boast a high active user base, but a high seller count as well with some places reporting as many as 7 million sellers on the platform. This can make it very difficult to stand out or find an audience, but at least the cost of trying isn’t too significant.

Online Marketplaces in Latin America

Mercado Libre

• Monthly fee: None

• Commission: 16-17.5%

• Active users: 51 million

If you want to break into Latin America, start your search with Mercado Libre. They’re one of the largest platforms in the area with an audience of 51 million active users spanning multiple countries like Mexico and Brazil. American based sellers can also benefit from the marketplace’s partner carriers meaning your products are being sold through their fulfillment services. For increased accessibility, they also offer automatic translation tools for everything from your listings to customer communications.

The price of selling on Mercado Libre isn’t too high given how they assist sellers. The commission rate depends on the region you sell to and will go no higher than 17.5% no matter what product you sell. All payments are also run through a trusted local processor giving consumers options and ease when buying your products.

Linio

• Monthly fee: None

• Commission: 7-15%

• Active users: 20 million

Linio has a presence in 4 countries which nets them more than 24 million visits per month to peruse their 10 million plus product selection. They make selling in Latin America extremely accessible since they don’t take any money from you until you make a sale. Once you start making sales, each transaction has a 7-15% commission fee depending on the product sold.

They also offer a strong support system to sellers with English speaking staff, trusted payment systems, and preferential shipping rates. Their local customer service and operations teams will also handle most customer communications so you can just focus on selling.

Save Fees When Selling in Global eCommerce Marketplaces

Third-party selling is a great way to expand your brand and retail reach. However, it becomes more difficult when calculating costs, fees, and taxes associated with international sales. 

Supply chain issues, VAT, foreign exchange rates, and other fees all chip away at your margins — opening up the potential for loss.

One of the easiest ways to mitigate some of these issues is to open up an account in some of the countries which you’re selling products. Airwallex empowers global sellers to open up foreign currency accounts in minutes, and our exchange rates are always easy to understand.

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