Selling Pokémon Cards: Cardmarket vs. eBay Fees Compared

• Cardmarket is Europe's specialist marketplace for trading cards. Sellers pay a commission on the sale price (around 5%; see Cardmarket's fee table for current values).
• eBay: for private sellers in Germany, domestic sales are free of fees. Fees apply to international sales and to business sellers.
• Good photos and an honest condition description are key on both platforms.
• Always ship valuable cards with tracking and suitable insurance.

If you want to sell Pokémon cards, you'll usually face a choice: Cardmarket or eBay? Both platforms have pros and cons in terms of fees, reach and effort. In this guide we compare them and show how to present your cards well and ship them safely.

Cardmarket: the marketplace for TCG collectors

Cardmarket was built specifically for trading card games such as Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering and Yu-Gi-Oh!. Its buyers are collectors and players who know exactly what they're looking for.

• Specialist audience: buyers search for specific cards and know their value.
• Price data: price histories and trend prices exist for almost every card, which helps with pricing.
• Easy listing: pick the card, state condition and language, set your price.
• Trustee payment: money is only released once the buyer confirms receipt.
• Fees: Cardmarket keeps a commission of around 5% of the sale price. Current values are in Cardmarket's fee table.

For single cards, Cardmarket is the first stop for most sellers in Europe.

eBay: huge reach, free for private sellers in Germany

eBay reaches a very broad audience. That can pay off for highly sought-after cards, especially with auctions.

• Private sellers (Germany): domestic sales are free of fees. eBay charges an international fee for deliveries abroad, and optional extras cost more.
• Business sellers: pay a category-based final value fee plus a per-order fee.
• Auctions: for very popular cards, bidding wars can push the price up.
• Downsides: the audience is less focused on trading cards, price research takes more effort, and in condition disputes buyer protection often favors the buyer.

Fees change regularly. Check eBay's current fee overview before you sell.

Cardmarket vs. eBay at a glance

In short: for single cards sold to collectors in Europe, Cardmarket is usually the simpler route. For private sellers in Germany, eBay can still be attractive thanks to fee-free domestic sales, especially for sought-after cards and whole collections.

Tips for pricing, photos and descriptions

Price realistically

1. Check Cardmarket prices: find the exact card (name, set, number, language, edition) and compare the trend price and current offers in the same condition.
2. Look at sold eBay listings: they show what buyers actually paid.
3. Grade condition honestly: Near Mint sells for much more than Played or Damaged.

Good photos

• Bright, diffuse light without reflections.
• Front and back, plus close-ups of corners and edges.
• Photograph holo cards at a slight angle so the effect and any scratches are visible.
• A neutral, single-color background.
• Always show flaws. It prevents complaints.

Honest description

• Basics: card name, set, card number, rarity and language.
• Condition: common grades are NM (Near Mint), LP (Lightly Played), MP (Moderately Played), HP (Heavily Played) and DMG (Damaged).
• Special features: 1st Edition, Shadowless, Reverse Holo, Full Art, Alternate Art or grading (e.g. PSA 10).

Ship safely

Pack correctly

1. Put the card in a soft sleeve (penny sleeve).
2. Then into a toploader or card saver. Seal the opening with a team bag or a small strip of painter's tape.
3. Place it between two pieces of cardboard and secure them.
4. Put it in a padded envelope, or a padded box for larger quantities.

Choose shipping by value

• Cheap cards: a standard letter, if a loss is acceptable.
• Mid-value cards: registered mail with tracking.
• High-value cards: an insured parcel or insured letter with sufficient coverage.

Check your postal carrier for current prices and liability limits. For very valuable cards, it's worth documenting the packing with photos or a video.

Other options

Local game stores often buy cards. You get money or store credit right away and save shipping and platform fees, but usually receive less than market price because the store has to resell. At collector fairs and TCG events you can sell directly to other collectors.

Conclusion

For most single cards, Cardmarket is the fastest way to reach collectors in Europe. eBay offers reach, auctions and, for private sellers in Germany, fee-free domestic sales. Wherever you sell, honest descriptions, good photos and safe shipping make the difference. Find new cards and boosters for your collection in our Pokémon collection.