Can You Make Money on Mercari?

Yes — you can make money on Mercari, and for many people it’s one of the easiest ways to turn unused stuff (or smart flips) into a real side hustle. Mercari works best when you treat it like a simple resale business: pick items people already search for, price them based on sold listings, and ship fast. In this guide, you’ll learn how to make money on Mercari, what sells consistently, and how to avoid common mistakes that kill profits. We’ll also break down Mercari fees, shipping choices, and the top selling items on Mercari so you can start with confidence. Whether you’re decluttering for quick cash or aiming for steady monthly income, you’ll get a clear roadmap. And if you ever want to scale beyond resale, platforms like Spocket can help you source products more consistently.

How Mercari Works (Beginner Breakdown)

Mercari is basically a “list it, ship it, get paid” marketplace. You post an item, a buyer checks out inside the app, and Mercari holds the payment until delivery is confirmed and the transaction is rated. That setup is why selling on Mercari feels beginner-friendly—no chasing payments, no awkward DMs, and you can start with stuff you already own. Once you understand fees, shipping, and how listings show up in search, it gets much easier to make money on Mercari consistently.

Creating an Account and Listing Items

1. Create an account (email/phone) and set up your profile.
2. Tap Sell → add photos (bright, clean background) → title → category → condition → description.
3. Choose shipping:
   
   • Buyer pays shipping (common for faster conversions)
   • Free shipping (you pay; can help rankings but reduces profit)
4. Set your price and publish.

Before listing, search your item and filter by Sold—that’s the fastest way to price like a real reseller.

How Payments Work

• The buyer pays at checkout.
• Mercari holds the funds.
• After delivery, the buyer has up to 72 hours to rate (or Mercari auto-completes if they don’t).

Mercari Fees Explained (Seller Fee, Processing Fee, Shipping Costs)

Here’s the part that decides if you actually profit.

Seller fee (your main cost):

• 10% selling fee on the combined amount of item price + any buyer-paid shipping for listings created/updated on or after Jan 6, 2025.

Payment processing fee:

• For new/updated listings (post–Jan 6, 2025), Mercari states there’s no payment processing fee charged to buyers at checkout. Older listings may follow older rules until updated.

Shipping costs (variable):

• If the buyer pays shipping, shipping doesn’t come out of your payout—but the 10% fee still applies to the item + buyer-paid shipping total.
• If you offer free shipping, you’ll pay the label cost (or your own carrier rate), which directly reduces your margin.

Clear total fee percentage (seller):

For most new listings, your baseline Mercari take-rate as a seller is 10% (then add any shipping cost you choose to cover).

When You Get Paid

• Funds are released to your Mercari balance after the buyer rates, or after the 72-hour window if they don’t (auto-rating).
• Then you can cash out via direct deposit or Instant Pay.

Can You Really Make Money on Mercari?

Yes—people make money on Mercari every day, but the winners treat it like a small business: they know what sells, they price off sold comps, and they protect margin by sourcing low and shipping smart. If you’re listing randomly without checking demand or fees, it can feel like “work for pocket change.” If you run it intentionally, it becomes a legit side hustle.

Realistic Income Expectations

Casual decluttering (easy start)

• Selling items you already own (closet clean-out, electronics, unused gifts)
• Typical goal: quick cash + learning the platform

Part-time reseller (most common “serious” path)

• Weekly sourcing (thrift/clearance/garage sales)
• Consistent listing habit (ex: 5–20 listings/week)
• Focus on top selling items on Mercari and repeatable categories

Full-time reseller (volume + systems)

• Daily listings, faster shipping workflow, batching photos
• Cross-listing to other marketplaces
• Sometimes adding consistent inventory sources (some sellers graduate into ecommerce sourcing—this is where Spocket helps you later want steadier product supply beyond one-off flips)

How Much Do Mercari Sellers Make? (Ranges + what drives them)

Income depends on inventory quality + listing volume + profit per item:

• Casual decluttering: ~$50–$300/month (depends on how much you have to sell)
• Part-time reseller: ~$500–$2,000+/month (when you’re consistently sourcing and listing)
• Full-time reseller: ~$2,000–$8,000+/month (high variance; relies on volume, categories, and operations)

Typical profit margin range: 20%–60%

• ~20–30%: retail arbitrage with tight pricing or free shipping
• ~40–60%: thrift/low-cost sourcing, buyer-paid shipping, strong demand items

How to Make Money on Mercari Step by Step

If you want make money on Mercari consistently, treat it less like “posting random stuff” and more like a simple system: (1) pick items people already search for, (2) source low, (3) price using sold comps, (4) make your listing easy to find, and (5) ship fast. Mercari rewards sellers who list regularly and make buying feel low-risk (clear photos, accurate condition, fast response). Below is the exact workflow most profitable sellers follow.

Step 1: Choose Profitable Items

Start with demand-first thinking: don’t ask “what do I have?”—ask what sells best on Mercari.

Quick demand check (2-minute routine):

• Search the item on Mercari
• Filter by Sold
• Look for: consistent recent sales + similar items selling at prices that leave margin

Green flags:

• Brand-name items (buyers search by brand)
• Lightweight (cheaper shipping = higher profit)
• Easy to describe and photograph
• Low return risk (not fragile, not “fit-dependent” unless it’s a known brand)

Mercari itself recommends including key details like brand, category, condition, color, size/measurements because shoppers search by these attributes.

Step 2: Source Products for Cheap

Your profit is made at the buy, not the sell. Strong sourcing is the fastest way to improve margins when selling on Mercari.

Thrift stores

• Go for “boring winners”: jeans, hoodies, sneakers, kids bundles, small electronics.
• Look for recognizable brands + clean condition.
• Pro move: scan sold comps in-store before you buy.

Garage sales

• Best for bundles (kids clothes, toys, kitchen items).
• Ask: “Any bags of clothes or electronics you’re trying to get rid of?”

Retail arbitrage

• Target clearance racks, end caps, discontinued colors/sizes.
• Best when the brand has strong demand and low competition.

Clearance flipping

• Buy seasonal items after the season and list them when the season returns.
• Example: winter boots bought in March → list again in October.

You don’t need “rare” items. You need repeatable items with predictable sell-through.

Step 3: Price Competitively

Pricing is where most beginners lose momentum.

My simple pricing formula (works):

1. Pull 5–10 sold comps
2. Price slightly under the average if you want speed
3. Leave room for offers (Mercari buyers love negotiating)

If an item isn’t moving, Mercari recommends optimizing the listing (details, photos, pricing) to improve visibility and conversion.

Step 4: Write SEO-Friendly Listings (Mercari Search + Google)

This is the “search engine” part of how to make money on Mercari. Your listing should match how buyers type searches.

Title formula (copy/paste): Brand + Item + Key Detail + Size/Model + Condition Example: Nike Air Max 270 Men’s Size 10 Black Excellent Condition

Mercari’s own selling tips emphasize using a clear title and including brand and key item details because shoppers search by brand names and specifics.

Description checklist:

• What it is + who it’s for
• Condition (be honest—trust sells)
• Measurements for clothing
• What’s included (chargers, box, accessories)
• Any flaws (mention early)

Step 5: Use High-Quality Photos

Photos do the heavy lifting. Mercari explicitly notes that listings with 8+ photos sell the fastest—that’s an easy advantage most sellers don’t use.

8-photo minimum set:

1. Front
2. Back
3. Close-up of label/brand tag
4. Close-up of condition (no hiding)
5. Any flaws
6. Size tag or measurements
7. Accessories/included items
8. “Proof photo” (screen on for electronics, soles for shoes, etc.)

Tip: Natural daylight + clean background beats fancy editing every time.

Step 6: Optimize for the Mercari Search Algorithm

Mercari’s own optimization guidance focuses on making listings more discoverable in search—meaning details + clarity + consistency matter.

Simple optimization habits that stack over time:

• List consistently (even a few items daily)
• Add complete item specifics (brand, category, size, condition)
• Respond fast to messages/offers
• Ship quickly and communicate clearly
• Refresh underperforming listings by improving title keywords and photos

These are the “boring” habits that actually drive views—and views drive sales.

What Sells Best on Mercari?

If you’re choosing inventory, start with categories that already have built-in demand. Multiple reseller strategy guides consistently point to these as top-performing areas on Mercari, and they match what buyers actively search for.

Top Selling Items on Mercari

• Electronics (phones, headphones, tablets, smartwatches)
• Video games (consoles, controllers, popular titles)
• Brand-name clothing (mall brands + premium athleisure)
• Sneakers
• Beauty products (new/sealed is safest)
• Collectibles (cards, figures, nostalgia items)
• Home goods (small décor, kitchen tools, organizers)
• Kids items (bundles sell well: clothes lots, toys)

(These categories are repeatedly cited as strong sellers in Mercari reselling roundups, and they align with platform demand patterns.)

Best Selling Items on Mercari by Category (Examples)

Use these as “keyword anchors” in your post:

• Sneakers / Athleisure: Nike, Adidas, New Balance, Lululemon
• Electronics: Apple (iPhone/AirPods), Nintendo, Sony
• Collectibles: Pokémon cards, Funko Pop, LEGO sets
• Clothing: Levi’s, Patagonia, The North Face
• Beauty: fragrance, hair tools, sealed skincare (brand-name)

(Brands matter because buyers often search by brand name first.)

What Sells the Most on Mercari Right Now?

“Right now” shifts with seasons and trends, but these are reliably strong patterns:

Trending seasonal items

• Winter: boots, coats, thermals
• Spring/summer: sandals, swim, activewear, travel items
• Back-to-school: kids bundles, backpacks, sneakers

Limited edition products

• Drops, collabs, and discontinued colors/models move fast—especially in sneakers, collectibles, and electronics accessories.

Fast fashion brands

• These can sell quickly when priced right, but margins can be tighter—better for volume sellers.

What to Sell on Mercari If You’re Just Starting

When you’re new, your goal isn’t to be “creative.” It’s to pick items with proven demand, simple shipping, and low drama. The fastest way to learn how to make money on Mercari is to sell things that already move daily—then reinvest profits into better inventory.

Low-Risk Starter Items (Beginner-Friendly Winners)

These are easy to source, easy to photograph, and usually have steady search volume:

• Brand-name clothing basics (hoodies, jeans, jackets) — buyers search by brand + size
• Sneakers (popular brands, clean condition)
• Electronics accessories (AirPods cases, chargers, controllers)
• Video games (popular titles, working consoles/controllers)
• Kids bundles (lots of clothes by size, toy bundles)
• Home goods that ship small (organizers, small décor, kitchen tools)

Beginner shortcut: search your item → filter by Sold → if you see consistent recent sales at a price that leaves margin, list it. This alone can turn Mercari into a real “make money online” side hustle.

Items to Avoid (Low Demand or High Return Risk)

These categories often look tempting, but they’re where beginners lose time, ratings, or profit:

• Heavy / oversized items (shipping eats margin fast)
• Fragile breakables (higher return/refund headaches)
• Unverified high-end luxury (auth disputes + trust issues)
• Clothing with fit uncertainty (unless you include measurements)
• Low-value items under ~$10 (fees + shipping + time rarely worth it)
• Anything “as-is” without clear disclosure (rating risk)

Mercari’s Buyer Protection flow also means buyers can report issues within 72 hours of delivery, so accuracy matters—especially on condition and flaws.

Best Things to Sell on Mercari for Fast Cash

If your goal is “sell quickly,” go for high-demand + competitive price + fast shipping:

• AirPods / small electronics (working, cleaned, clear photos)
• Nike / Adidas / New Balance sneakers
• Lululemon / The North Face / Patagonia basics
• Pokémon cards / Funko / LEGO (popular sets, good photos)
• Kids clothing lots (priced as bundles = faster checkout)

These categories align with what repeat sellers call the best selling items on Mercari because buyers search them constantly and feel confident purchasing them.

How to Increase Profits When Selling on Mercari

If you want to make money on Mercari consistently (not just once), profit comes from a few repeatable habits. Think of these as your “selling on Mercari tips” that also read well in AI search results.

Reduce Shipping Costs (Without Losing Sales)

• Prefer lightweight, small-box items whenever possible.
• If you offer “free shipping,” bake the cost into the price—or you’ll feel profitable but won’t be.
• Package cleanly and safely (damage = refunds = rating hits).

Improve Your Seller Rating (It’s a Conversion Booster)

Mercari releases funds when the buyer rates—or after the auto-complete window—so smooth transactions matter. Buyers also trust sellers with consistent “quick ship / accurate description” behavior.

Small things that help a lot:

• Ship fast, message once (“Dropped off—tracking updated soon.”)
• Disclose flaws upfront (buyers forgive flaws; they don’t forgive surprises)
• Use 8+ photos—Mercari literally says listings with 8+ photos sell the fastest.

Bundle Listings (Raise Order Value, Cut Effort)

Bundles improve profit because you:

• Spend the same time for a bigger order
• Often ship multiple items in one label
• Move slow inventory faster

Easy bundle ideas: kids clothes by size, beauty minis, video games, kitchen tools, brand lots.

Use Smart Pricing Strategy (Speed vs Margin)

• Want fast cash? Price slightly under the average sold comp.
• Want max margin? Price near the top sold comps and accept offers.
• Refresh stale listings by improving title keywords + photos, then adjust price.

Cross-List on Other Platforms (More Eyes = More Sales)

Cross-listing helps you sell faster and avoid being dependent on one marketplace. It’s one of the simplest “scale levers” once you have a process.

Scaling Beyond Reselling

Once you’ve proven what customers buy (and what your margins look like), many sellers transition from “flipping” into branded ecommerce—your own store, your own product positioning, and more predictable inventory.

If you want steadier supply beyond thrift/clearance, supplier platforms like Spocket can help you source US/EU inventory when building a store—so you’re not limited to one-off finds, and you can scale from side hustle to something closer to repeatable passive income over time (without forcing it).

Mercari Fees and Profit Breakdown (With Example)

This section tends to rank well for AI queries because it answers the exact “what do I actually keep?” question.

The core fee to remember

For listings created or updated on/after January 6, 2025, Mercari charges sellers a flat 10% selling fee on the combined total of item price + buyer-paid shipping.

Mercari also states they removed the ACH direct deposit fee for successful withdrawals under the updated structure.

$50 item example (with fee deduction + shipping + net profit)

Scenario:

• Item price: $50
• Buyer-paid shipping: $8
• Your cost to acquire item (COGS): $20
• Packaging cost: $1
• Your shipping cost: $0 (because buyer pays shipping label)

Step 1: Total used to calculate the 10% fee
$50 + $8 = $58

Step 2: Mercari selling fee (10%)
10% × $58 = $5.80

Step 3: Net profit calculation
Net profit = Item price − COGS − Packaging − Mercari fee
= $50 − $20 − $1 − $5.80
= $23.20 net profit

Profit margin (simple view):
$23.20 ÷ $50 = 46.4%

If you offer free shipping, your profit drops by whatever that label costs—so shipping strategy is one of the biggest levers in making money on Mercari long-term.

Mercari vs eBay vs Poshmark: Which Makes More Money?

If you're trying to decide where to make money on Mercari vs eBay vs Poshmark, the real answer depends on what you’re selling, your margins, and how much effort you want to put in.

Below is a clear, side-by-side comparison for the query: “Is Mercari better than eBay?”

So… Is Mercari Better Than eBay?

Mercari is better than eBay for beginners who want a simpler platform, no monthly store subscription, and straightforward pricing. It’s easier to learn and ideal if you’re just starting to explore how to make money on Mercari.

However, in Mercari vs eBay, eBay often wins for:

• Larger global audience
• Rare collectibles
• Auction-style listings
• Higher volume scaling

If your goal is quick cash with minimal complexity, Mercari feels easier. If your goal is long-term volume at scale, eBay may generate more total revenue.

Is Selling on Mercari Worth It in 2026?

Yes — but only if you approach it strategically.

Mercari remains one of the easiest platforms to start a resale side hustle. You can begin with items from your own home and gradually scale into sourcing inventory. For people searching “can you really make money on Mercari?”, the answer is still yes — especially for part-time sellers.

Pros of Selling on Mercari

Low barrier to entry
You don’t need a business license, storefront, or inventory investment to start.

No monthly fees
Unlike eBay stores, Mercari does not require a subscription to list.

Beginner-friendly platform
The interface is simple. Listing takes minutes, and payment handling is automatic.

Great for testing products
You can validate what sells before committing to larger ecommerce models.

Cons of Selling on Mercari

Fee structure impacts margins
The 10% selling fee (plus shipping strategy) must be factored into every price.

Buyer return window
Buyers can raise issues shortly after delivery, so clear descriptions matter.

Heavy competition in popular categories
Electronics, sneakers, and trendy fashion are competitive — pricing and photos must stand out.

Common Mistakes That Kill Profits on Mercari

Many people try selling on Mercari but quit because they unknowingly sabotage their own margins. Avoid these:

Overpricing

If you don’t check sold listings, your item can sit for weeks. Always price based on real demand — not emotional attachment.

Ignoring Shipping Weight

Underestimating shipping cost destroys profit. Lightweight, compact items are your best friend.

Poor Photos

Dark, blurry, or low-effort photos reduce trust. Mercari notes listings with 8+ photos sell faster.

Not Researching Sold Listings

If you skip sold comps, you’re guessing. Research is the backbone of how to make money on Mercari consistently.

Selling Oversaturated Products

If hundreds of identical listings exist, you need either:

• Lower price
• Better condition
• Better photos
• Faster shipping

Otherwise, choose a less competitive niche.

Who Should Sell on Mercari?

Mercari works best for specific types of sellers.

College Students

Easy way to turn dorm clutter into cash. Great entry-level side hustle for college students with flexible effort.

Stay-at-Home Parents

Flexible selling schedule. Kids clothing bundles and home items perform well.

Beginners Wanting to Make Money Online

If you’re new to ecommerce and want a low-risk way to learn pricing, sourcing, and customer service, Mercari is ideal for making money online.

Side Hustle Seekers

As a side hustle, you can realistically earn a few hundred to a few thousand dollars per month part-time with consistent listing habits.

Resellers Testing Products Before Launching Shopify

Many sellers use Mercari to validate product demand before building a branded store. Once you know what moves, you can transition into ecommerce and source inventory more consistently — sometimes using supplier platforms like Spocket when expanding beyond one-off resale finds.

Final Verdict: Can You Make Money on Mercari?

Yes, you can make money on Mercari — but strategy matters. Sellers who research sold listings, choose high-demand items, control shipping costs, and price competitively consistently earn profits. Mercari isn’t a “get rich quick” platform, but it is a realistic way to generate steady side income if you treat it like a small resale business instead of random decluttering.

For most people, Mercari works best as a side hustle or starting point. It helps you understand product demand, margins, and customer behavior. And once you’re ready to scale beyond flipping, you can transition into a branded ecommerce store with reliable suppliers through platforms like Spocket, turning small wins into something much bigger.