What the goods and services fee is
Goods and services is the option you use when a payment is for something you sold. It gives the buyer purchase protection and can make the sale eligible for seller protection. In the US, PayPal charges the person receiving the money 2.99% of the payment, with no fixed fee. On $100.00 that is $2.99, so you receive $97.01.
You will see 3.49% + $0.49 quoted on many sites. That is the rate for PayPal Checkout on a website, not for a goods and services payment sent from one PayPal account to another.
Goods and services fee on common amounts
| Payment | Fees | Fee share | You get paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10.00 | $0.30 | 3.0% | $9.70 |
| $20.00 | $0.60 | 3.0% | $19.40 |
| $50.00 | $1.50 | 3.0% | $48.50 |
| $100.00 | $2.99 | 3.0% | $97.01 |
| $200.00 | $5.98 | 3.0% | $194.02 |
| $500.00 | $14.95 | 3.0% | $485.05 |
| $1,000.00 | $29.90 | 3.0% | $970.10 |
How much to ask for so you receive the full amount
Divide the amount you want by 0.9701. Adding 2.99% is not quite enough, because the fee is also charged on what you add.
| You want to receive | Ask the buyer for |
|---|---|
| $50.00 | $51.54 |
| $100.00 | $103.08 |
| $250.00 | $257.71 |
| $500.00 | $515.41 |
Goods and services or friends and family?
Friends and family payments are free when sent from a PayPal balance or bank account, but they are meant for personal transfers. They come with no purchase protection for the buyer and no seller protection for you, which is why most buyers and marketplaces insist on goods and services for a sale.
Buyers in other countries
If the buyer is outside the US, PayPal adds 1.50% on top of the 2.99%. Tick the international box in the calculator to include it.
Goods and services fee questions
How much is the PayPal goods and services fee?
2.99% of the payment in the US, with no fixed fee. The person receiving the money pays it.
What is the goods and services fee on $100?
$2.99, so you receive $97.01.
What is the goods and services fee on $1,000?
$29.90, so you receive $970.10.
Is the goods and services fee 3.49%?
No. 3.49% + $0.49 is the PayPal Checkout rate for payments made on a website. A goods and services payment between PayPal accounts is 2.99% with no fixed fee.
Can the buyer pay the goods and services fee?
The fee is always taken from the person receiving the money. To have the buyer cover it, ask for a little more: divide the amount you want by 0.9701.
Sources: PayPal US merchant fees · PayPal consumer fees