When Do eBay Sellers Get Paid?

Understanding when funds from sales become available is important for individuals selling online. eBay has a specific system for managing payments, which directly impacts when sellers receive their earnings.

How eBay Processes Payments

eBay acts as the central processor for all transactions. When a buyer makes a purchase, their payment goes directly to eBay, rather than to the seller. eBay collects the payment, deducts applicable selling fees and other costs, then facilitates the payout to the seller’s linked bank account or debit card. Funds from a sale initially show as “Processing” in the seller’s account. Once the buyer’s payment is confirmed, which typically takes one to two days, the sales proceeds become “Available for payout”.

Standard Payout Schedules

eBay offers sellers several payout frequency options: daily, weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. Daily payouts are typically initiated within two business days of confirming the buyer’s payment. Weekly payouts are usually initiated on Tuesdays, covering sales from the previous Monday through Sunday. Bi-weekly payouts are processed every second Tuesday, and monthly payouts occur on the first Tuesday of each month. Once eBay initiates a payout, it generally takes one to three business days for the funds to clear and appear in the seller’s bank account, depending on the financial institution.

What Influences Payout Timing

Holds and Account Issues

Several factors can affect payout timelines, potentially delaying when funds become available. New or infrequent sellers often experience initial holds on their payouts, which can last up to 30 days. These holds help establish a positive selling history and ensure successful transactions. Providing tracking information for shipped items can sometimes help release funds faster for new sellers. Specific transactions can also trigger holds, particularly for high-value items or those with unusual selling patterns. Such holds may extend up to 30 days to mitigate risk and ensure buyer satisfaction. Issues with a seller’s account, such as registration discrepancies, unusual activity, or poor performance metrics, can lead to payout holds that require seller action to resolve.

Disputes

If a buyer opens a dispute, such as for an item not received or not as described, funds may be held until the case is resolved. These disputes, especially those initiated through a buyer’s bank, can take up to 90 days or more to resolve, with funds held for a similar duration.

External Factors

External factors, like bank holidays and weekends, can also impact payout timing. Funds sent to a bank account on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday will typically be processed by the bank on the following Monday. Banking holidays can delay daily payouts by one day, and longer payout schedules (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly) may experience delays of up to 8, 10, or 20 days, respectively.

Seller Actions for Payouts

Sellers must link a valid checking account or debit card to their eBay account to receive payouts. This setup is completed within the Payments section of Seller Hub or My eBay. Ensure the accuracy of bank account details to prevent payout delays.

Sellers have the flexibility to choose their preferred payout frequency—daily, weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly—within their eBay settings. This selection can be adjusted in the Payout Settings section of the Payments tab. Monitoring payout status is also straightforward, as sellers can view their available, processing, and on-hold funds, along with scheduled and past payouts, directly in the Payments tab of Seller Hub.

If a payout seems delayed, sellers should first verify their bank account information and check for any notifications from eBay regarding holds or issues. Reviewing the status of individual transactions within Seller Hub can also provide insight into any specific holds. For eligible sellers, eBay offers “on-demand” or “express” payouts to a linked debit card or bank account for a fee, which can deliver funds within 30 minutes, providing a faster option for accessing available earnings.