PayPal Goods & Services Fee Calculator
Use this calculator to determine the PayPal Goods & Services (G&S) fees for a transaction, or to figure out the gross amount a buyer needs to send for a seller to receive a specific net amount. PayPal G&S fees protect both buyers and sellers, but they come with a cost, typically a percentage plus a fixed fee per transaction.
Understanding PayPal Goods & Services Fees
PayPal's Goods & Services (G&S) payment option is designed to offer protection for both buyers and sellers. When a buyer uses G&S, they are covered by PayPal's Purchase Protection policy, which can help them get a refund if an item doesn't arrive or isn't as described. For sellers, G&S transactions are eligible for PayPal's Seller Protection, safeguarding them against claims, chargebacks, and reversals for eligible transactions.
How PayPal G&S Fees Work
The primary downside for sellers using G&S is the transaction fee. PayPal charges a fee for these transactions, which is typically a percentage of the transaction amount plus a fixed fee. These fees are usually deducted from the amount the seller receives. The exact rates vary significantly by country/region and whether the transaction is domestic or international.
Common fee structures:
- Percentage Fee: This is a percentage of the total transaction amount. For example, 2.9% in the US for domestic transactions.
- Fixed Fee: A flat fee added to the percentage, which also varies by currency. For example, $0.30 USD, £0.20 GBP, or €0.35 EUR.
- International Fees: Transactions involving different countries often incur higher percentage fees (e.g., 4.4% or 4.9%) and sometimes different fixed fees.
Why Use This Calculator?
This PayPal G&S Fee Calculator helps you:
- Determine Net Payout: If you're selling an item for a specific price, you can quickly see how much you'll actually receive after PayPal deducts its fees.
- Calculate Gross Amount Needed: If you need to receive a specific amount (e.g., to cover your costs and profit), the calculator can tell you the exact gross amount the buyer needs to send to ensure you get your desired net amount. This is crucial for pricing items correctly or for invoicing.
- Compare Regional Fees: Understand how fees differ based on the sender's or receiver's region, helping you make informed decisions about international transactions.
Important Considerations
- Currency Conversion: If a transaction involves currency conversion, PayPal applies its own exchange rates, which may include an additional fee. This calculator does not account for currency conversion fees.
- International Transactions: The "Other International" option provides a generic estimate. Actual international fees can vary widely based on the specific countries involved and the currencies. Always check PayPal's official fee page for the most accurate and up-to-date rates for your specific scenario.
- Friends & Family vs. Goods & Services: Remember that "Friends & Family" payments typically have no fees for the sender (if funded by bank account/balance) but offer no buyer or seller protection. Always use G&S for commercial transactions.
Examples of PayPal G&S Fee Calculations
Example 1: Calculating Net Payout (US Domestic)
You sell an item for $100.00 to a buyer in the US. You want to know your net payout.
- Input: Amount = $100.00, Calculation Type = "I send/receive this amount (Gross)", Region = "United States (USD)"
- Calculation:
- Gross Amount: $100.00
- Fee Rate: 2.9% + $0.30
- Percentage Fee: $100.00 * 0.029 = $2.90
- Total Fee: $2.90 + $0.30 = $3.20
- Net Amount: $100.00 – $3.20 = $96.80
- Result: PayPal Fee: $3.20, Net Amount Received: $96.80
Example 2: Calculating Gross Amount Needed (UK Domestic)
You need to receive exactly £50.00 for an item sold in the UK. What should the buyer send?
- Input: Amount = £50.00, Calculation Type = "I want to receive this amount (Net)", Region = "United Kingdom (GBP)"
- Calculation:
- Desired Net Amount: £50.00
- Fee Rate: 3.4% + £0.20
- Formula: Gross = (Net + Fixed Fee) / (1 – Percentage Rate)
- Gross Amount: (£50.00 + £0.20) / (1 – 0.034) = £50.20 / 0.966 ≈ £51.96687
- Rounded Gross Amount: £51.97
- Verify Fee: (£51.97 * 0.034) + £0.20 = £1.767 + £0.20 = £1.967 ≈ £1.97
- Verify Net: £51.97 – £1.97 = £50.00
- Result: Gross Amount Buyer Needs to Send: £51.97, PayPal Fee: £1.97
Example 3: Calculating Net Payout (Eurozone International)
You sell an item for €200.00 to a buyer in a different country within the Eurozone (or a country where PayPal applies international rates for EUR). You want to know your net payout.
- Input: Amount = €200.00, Calculation Type = "I send/receive this amount (Gross)", Region = "Eurozone (EUR)" (assuming international rates for this example, though domestic EU is cheaper)
- Calculation (using typical international rates for EUR):
- Gross Amount: €200.00
- Fee Rate: 4.9% + €0.35 (Note: This is a common international rate for EUR, domestic EU is 3.4% + €0.35)
- Percentage Fee: €200.00 * 0.049 = €9.80
- Total Fee: €9.80 + €0.35 = €10.15
- Net Amount: €200.00 – €10.15 = €189.85
- Result: PayPal Fee: €10.15, Net Amount Received: €189.85