TCGPlayer Profit Calculator
Calculate your TCGPlayer seller profits including commission fees, Pro fees, payment processing, and shipping costs for trading cards.
TCGPlayer Profit Calculator
Calculate your TCGPlayer seller profits including commission fees, Pro fees, payment processing, and shipping costs for trading cards.
Sale Details
The price your card sold for on TCGPlayer
Seller Programs
What you originally paid for the card(s)
Typical shipping: $0.55 PWE (plain white envelope), $5-8 tracked bubble mailer, or use TCGPlayer Direct for hassle-free shipping.
Your TCGPlayer Profit
Profitable Sale
This sale will generate excellent profit after all TCGPlayer fees.
Profit
$0
After fees and costs
Profit Margin
0.0%
Excellent margin
Net Payout
$0
What you receive from TCGPlayer
Total Fees
$0
0.0% of sale price
Detailed Breakdown
Fee & Cost Breakdown
Understanding TCGPlayer Fees and Seller Programs
TCGPlayer is the world's largest online marketplace for trading card games, including Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and sports cards. Understanding the fee structure is critical for maximizing profits as a card seller. This calculator helps you determine your actual profit after all TCGPlayer fees and costs.
TCGPlayer Fee Structure (2025)
Marketplace Commission: 10.25% (9.25% with BinderPOS)
TCGPlayer charges a marketplace commission fee on every sale. This fee covers the platform, buyer protection, and transaction processing infrastructure.
- •Standard Commission: 10.25% of the sale price
- •BinderPOS Discount: 9.25% if you use BinderPOS inventory management
- •Commission Cap: Maximum $50 per individual card/product
TCGPlayer Pro: 2.5% Fee
TCGPlayer Pro is a premium seller program that provides advanced tools, integrations, and features. Pro sellers pay an additional 2.5% fee on online sales.
- •Custom Website: Build your own storefront with TCGPlayer backend
- •Advanced Repricing: Automated pricing tools to stay competitive
- •Crystal Commerce Integration: Sync inventory across platforms
- •Fee Cap: Pro fee is also capped at $50 per product
Payment Processing: 2.5% + $0.30 (3.5% + $0.30 international)
All orders are subject to a payment processing fee to cover credit card and PayPal transaction costs.
- •Domestic Orders: 2.5% + $0.30 per transaction
- •International Orders: 3.5% + $0.30 per transaction
- •International PayPal: Additional 2% fee (capped at $20)
Shipping: Seller Responsibility
Unlike StockX, TCGPlayer sellers are responsible for shipping directly to buyers. Shipping costs vary based on method and packaging.
- •PWE (Plain White Envelope): $0.55-1.00 for low-value singles
- •Tracked Bubble Mailer: $4-8 for orders over $20
- •TCGPlayer Direct: Send inventory to TCGPlayer warehouse for automated shipping
Who Benefits Most from TCGPlayer?
- •Local Game Store Owners: Expand reach beyond local players and sell nationally
- •Magic: The Gathering Dealers: Largest MTG marketplace with active buyer base
- •Pokémon Card Sellers: Strong demand for vintage and modern Pokémon cards
- •High-Volume Sellers: Use BinderPOS to reduce fees and manage large inventories
- •Sports Card Dealers: Growing market for baseball, basketball, and football cards
- •Yu-Gi-Oh! Sellers: Active competitive scene drives card demand
Maximizing Profit on TCGPlayer
- 1.Use BinderPOS: Save 1% on every sale (9.25% vs 10.25%) and get better inventory tools
- 2.Price Competitively: TCGPlayer shows lowest prices first - stay within market range
- 3.Ship Fast: Quick shipping earns positive seller ratings and repeat customers
- 4.Use TCGPlayer Direct: Automate shipping and qualify for the cart optimizer
- 5.Grade Cards Accurately: Honest grading prevents returns and negative feedback
- 6.Batch Orders: Combine multiple singles in one shipment to reduce per-card shipping costs
- 7.Track Market Trends: Monitor MTGGoldfish, TCGPlayer price history, and set alerts
- 8.Factor All Costs: Always include fees, shipping, and supplies in your pricing strategy
TCGPlayer vs Other Platforms
TCGPlayer Advantages
- +Largest TCG marketplace - most buyers
- +Established buyer trust and protection
- +TCGPlayer Direct simplifies shipping
- +Lower fees than eBay (10.25% vs 12.9%)
TCGPlayer Disadvantages
- -Seller pays all shipping costs
- -No seller level discounts (flat 10.25%)
- -Pro fee adds 2.5% for advanced features
- -Race to the bottom on pricing
Tax Considerations for TCG Sellers
If you sell trading cards as a business, you must report income and pay taxes. Here's what you need to know:
- •1099-K Reporting (2025): TCGPlayer will issue a 1099-K if you have more than $2,500 in sales
- •Deductible Expenses: All fees, shipping costs, supplies, and inventory costs are tax-deductible
- •Schedule C: Report card sales as business income if you're selling regularly
- •Hobby vs Business: If you sell cards as a hobby, losses are not deductible
- •Sales Tax: TCGPlayer collects and remits sales tax on your behalf in most states
Frequently Asked Questions
What fees does TCGPlayer charge sellers?
TCGPlayer charges a marketplace commission (10.25% standard, 9.25% with BinderPOS) and a payment processing fee (2.5% + $0.30 domestic, 3.5% + $0.30 international). Pro sellers also pay a 2.5% Pro fee for access to advanced tools. All commission fees are capped at $50 per product.
What is BinderPOS and should I use it?
BinderPOS is an inventory management system that integrates with TCGPlayer. Sellers who use BinderPOS get a 1% discount on commission fees (9.25% instead of 10.25%). If you're a serious seller with large inventory, the 1% savings can add up quickly and the inventory tools are valuable.
What is TCGPlayer Pro?
TCGPlayer Pro is a premium seller program that provides advanced tools like custom websites, automated repricing, and platform integrations. Pro sellers pay an additional 2.5% fee on online sales. It's best for established stores looking to scale their business.
How much does shipping cost on TCGPlayer?
Sellers are responsible for shipping costs. Typical costs: $0.55-1.00 for PWE (plain white envelope) on low-value orders, $4-8 for tracked bubble mailers on orders over $20. TCGPlayer Direct sellers pay a Direct Shipping Replacement Cost instead.
What is TCGPlayer Direct?
TCGPlayer Direct is a fulfillment program where you send inventory to TCGPlayer's warehouse, and they handle storage, picking, packing, and shipping. You pay a Direct Shipping Replacement Cost per order instead of shipping yourself. It's great for high-volume sellers who want to automate fulfillment.
Are there seller level discounts like StockX?
No, TCGPlayer does not offer seller level discounts based on sales volume. The commission rate is flat at 10.25% (or 9.25% with BinderPOS) regardless of how much you sell. The only way to reduce fees is through BinderPOS or avoiding the Pro fee.
What is the $50 commission cap?
The marketplace commission fee and Pro fee are each capped at $50 per individual product. This means if you sell a $1,000 Black Lotus card, you'll pay $50 commission (not $102.50). The cap applies separately to each fee, so Pro sellers could pay up to $100 total in capped fees.
How do I price my cards competitively?
TCGPlayer displays cards by lowest price first (for same condition). Check the "Market Price" and recent sales history. Price within 5-10% of market price to stay competitive. Don't race to the bottom - factor in your fees and shipping costs to ensure profitability.
When do I get paid on TCGPlayer?
TCGPlayer pays sellers within 5-10 business days after the buyer receives the order. Payment is deposited to your linked bank account or PayPal. You can track pending and completed payments in your seller dashboard.
Do I need to collect sales tax?
No, TCGPlayer automatically calculates, collects, and remits sales tax on your behalf in all states that require it. You don't need to worry about sales tax compliance - TCGPlayer handles it as part of the marketplace facilitation laws.
Will I receive a 1099-K for card sales?
Yes, TCGPlayer is required to issue a 1099-K if you have more than $2,500 in gross sales in 2025 (the threshold was $600 but IRS delayed it). You must report all card sales income on your tax return, even if you don't receive a 1099-K.
Can I deduct TCGPlayer fees on my taxes?
Yes, all TCGPlayer fees (commission, Pro fee, payment processing) are tax-deductible business expenses if you're selling as a business. Also deduct shipping costs, packaging supplies, inventory costs, and BinderPOS subscription. Keep detailed records for Schedule C reporting.
How does this calculator save my data?
Your inputs are automatically saved to your browser's local storage, so when you return, your previous values are restored. No data is sent to our servers - everything stays private on your device. Clear your browser data to reset.