How Much Can You Make Selling on Mercari?

How Much Can You Really Make Selling on Mercari in 2026?

As someone who's been selling on multiple platforms for years, let me give you the lowdown on Mercari. It's a great platform, but let's be honest about what you can expect in terms of income. Whether you're looking to declutter your home on the side or go full-time, this guide will break down realistic numbers and what it takes to succeed.

Understanding Mercari's Unique Marketplace

Mercari is a bit different from eBay or Poshmark. It’s perfect for selling everyday items and has a broad U.S. audience with over 50 million downloads. While the platform is easy to use, the fees are something to consider: a 10% seller fee and a 2.9% + $0.50 payment processing fee, totaling around 13.4% per sale. Mercari appeals to a slightly younger audience, so trendy items and quick deals are more common here.

Seller Profiles: Casual to Full-Time

1. Casual Seller: 5-10 Items/Month

As a casual seller, you're likely looking to clear out some household items. You can expect to spend around 3-5 hours a week on listing, packaging, and shipping.

Items Sold	Average Sale Price	Gross Revenue	Platform Fees	Shipping Costs	Sourcing Costs	Net Profit
8	$20	$160	$21.44	$40	$0	$98.56

With little to no sourcing costs, your net profit could be around $98.56 a month, assuming you're selling items you already own.

2. Part-Time Seller: 30-50 Items/Month

As a part-time seller, you’ll need to invest more time (10-15 hours per week) and possibly source some products to maintain inventory. Here’s a breakdown based on selling 40 items:

Items Sold	Average Sale Price	Gross Revenue	Platform Fees	Shipping Costs	Sourcing Costs	Net Profit
40	$25	$1000	$134	$200	$200	$466

Here, you might be looking at a net profit of around $466 per month, factoring in sourcing low-cost items from thrift stores or clearance sales.

3. Full-Time Seller: 100+ Items/Month

Going full-time with Mercari requires serious commitment (30-40 hours a week) and a more strategic approach. Let's crunch the numbers for 120 items:

Items Sold	Average Sale Price	Gross Revenue	Platform Fees	Shipping Costs	Sourcing Costs	Net Profit
120	$30	$3600	$482.40	$600	$800	$1717.60

Expect to net around $1717.60 monthly, requiring smart sourcing and efficient logistics management.

The Best Items to Sell on Mercari

For maximum profit margins, focus on these categories:

• Electronics: Phones, headphones, and gadgets sell well and can fetch higher prices.
• Toys: Popular during holiday seasons, especially collectible items.
• Household Items: Small appliances, home decor, and tools are consistently in demand.

Addressing Common Myths

"I'll make $10k/month passive income." – While it's possible to make decent money, it requires active involvement, smart sourcing, and consistent listing. Passive income isn't the reality here.

Tips for Scaling Your Mercari Business

To move from casual to full-time on Mercari, consider these strategies:

• Utilize Smart Pricing: Automate price drops to stay competitive.
• Fast Shipping: Ship within 3 days to earn a "Fast Shipper" badge.
• Local Sales: Use Mercari Local for bulky items.
• Optimize Listings: Use tools like ListingGenie to create high-converting listings.

FAQs about Making Money on Mercari

• How quickly can I start making money? Most sellers begin seeing sales within a month, depending on their inventory and pricing.
• What are the startup costs? Minimal if selling personal items; otherwise, budget for inventory sourcing.
• How can I increase my sales? Price competitively, offer fast shipping, and keep your listings updated.
• Is it better to pay for shipping or have buyers pay? Experiment with both to see what attracts more buyers.
• How much time should I dedicate weekly? Casual sellers might spend 3-5 hours, while full-time sellers need 30-40 hours.
• What tools can help me succeed? ListingGenie for listings, and use Mercari's Smart Pricing feature.