How to sell items on Facebook Marketplace, plus key tips for selling successfully

• You can sell items on Facebook Marketplace via the desktop website or mobile app.
• Facebook Marketplace is only supported in the US and there are restrictions on what you can sell.
• How you get paid is up to you and Facebook doesn't charge a fee - unless you're selling as a shop.

Selling your stuff online has become a popular alternative to garage sales. For casual sellers, Facebook Marketplace is a free option that connects you with potential buyers in your area. But there are restrictions to what you can sell, and it can take a bit of know-how to stand out on the platform.

Here's what you should know about selling on Facebook Marketplace.

Note: Facebook Marketplace is currently only supported in the US.

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How to sell on Facebook Marketplace

You can use Facebook Marketplace on either desktop or mobile.

On desktop

1. Open Facebook and log in to your account, if needed.

2. Click Marketplace, located in the left sidebar.

3. Click Create New Listing.

4. Select Item for Sale.

5. Click Add Photos and upload a photo of your item.

6. Add the information about your item. Enter 0 as the price if you want to list it as a free item. Select Next.

7. Choose the delivery method, if needed, and hit Next.

8. Click Publish to post the listing.

On mobile

1. Open the Facebook app and log in to your account, if necessary.

2. Tap the Marketplace tap, located in the center of the bottom toolbar.

3. Select Sell.

4. In the pop-up, under Create New Listing, choose Items.

5. Add the information about your item, and at least one photo, and hit Next.

6. Choose a delivery method and hit Publish.

What can be sold on Facebook Marketplace

Certain items cannot be sold on the Marketplace. Those include:

• Digital products
• Weapons, ammunition, or explosives
• Animals
• Illegal, prescription, or recreational drugs
• Ingestible supplements
• Real, virtual, or fake currency
• Misleading, deceptive, or offensive items

Facebook Marketplace payment details

The payment method on Facebook Marketplace is up to the seller. But the company recommends using Messenger or PayPal to get paid at the time of sale.

You can also use Messenger to decide what method of payment works best for both parties. For example, if you prefer PayPal or Venmo, but the buyer doesn't have those, you might talk about a cash handoff when they pick up their item, provided they're local.

Quick tip: You can also send money through Facebook Messenger if you link your debit card or PayPal account.

Facebook Marketplace shipping and returns

You can only use the shipping feature if you're selling as a shop. That means you'll also be subject to a selling fee of 5% per shipment, or a flat fee of $0.40 for shipments of $8.00 or less.

Once you've signed up for online checkout and shipping, you'll have a set amount of time after each purchase to ship the item to the buyer. Otherwise, the order will be deleted or canceled by Facebook. You can either choose to cover the shipping costs yourself or let the buyer pay. You must add tracking information and mark the package as shipped to get paid on items that use the shipping option.

If the buyer requests a refund, you'll have two business days to respond and attempt to resolve the issue. And any refunds have to be issued within two business days from when you receive the returned items.

Tips for selling on Facebook Marketplace

Since many sellers are on the Marketplace, it pays to stand out. Here are some tips to help you do that:

• Check out the competition and price your items competitively.
• Take high-quality photos using good lighting.
• Reply to questions in a timely manner.
• Provide as many details as you can in the item description.
• Say that you are open to offers and negotiate.
• Use tags to make your listings easier to find.

You should also familiarize yourself with the acronyms commonly used on the Marketplace so you can use them as well:

• PM: personal message
• OBO: or best offer
• NWT: new with tags
• PUP: pick-up pending
• NIL: next in line