Whatnot Seller Fees UK 2026
The Complete Guide
Everything you need to know about selling on Whatnot in the UK\u200a\u2014\u200afrom platform fees and VAT, to HMRC reporting and pricing for profit.
UK Fee Summary at a Glance
| Fee Type | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Commission | 8% | Whatnot\u2019s cut on every sale |
| Payment Processing | 2.9% + \u00a30.30 | Per-transaction card processing |
| VAT on Platform Fee | 20% | Included in fee if not VAT registered; reclaimable if registered |
| Listing Fee | \u00a30 | No cost to list items\u200a\u2014\u200afees only apply on sales |
Combined effective fee: approximately 11\u201312% of the sale price. See detailed breakdown with examples.
VAT and Whatnot\u200a\u2014\u200aWhat UK Sellers Need to Know
If You\u2019re NOT VAT Registered
The 8% platform commission includes VAT at 20%. This means the effective commission cost to you is higher because you can\u2019t reclaim the VAT element. On a \u00a3100 sale, the \u00a38 fee includes \u00a31.33 of VAT that you\u2019re absorbing as a cost.
If You ARE VAT Registered
You can reclaim the VAT portion of Whatnot\u2019s platform fees as input tax on your VAT return. This effectively reduces your commission cost from 8% to 6.67% (the net-of-VAT amount). However, you\u2019ll need to charge VAT on your sales if applicable.
The VAT Registration Threshold
You must register for VAT when your taxable turnover exceeds \u00a390,000 in any rolling 12-month period. This is based on your total revenue (not profit). If you\u2019re streaming regularly, you might reach this sooner than you think.
Voluntary VAT Registration
Even if you\u2019re under the \u00a390,000 threshold, voluntarily registering for VAT can save money if your input VAT (on stock purchases, fees, and business expenses) exceeds the VAT you\u2019d charge on sales. This is worth considering if you buy stock from VAT-registered wholesalers.
HMRC Reporting Requirements
Self Assessment
If your Whatnot income (plus any other self-employment income) exceeds \u00a31,000 per tax year, you must register for Self Assessment and file a tax return. The deadline for online returns is 31 January following the end of the tax year (5 April).
Platform Reporting (DAC7 / OPE)
Since January 2024, digital platforms like Whatnot are required to report seller data to HMRC if you either make 30+ sales or earn \u20ac2,000+ in a calendar year. This means HMRC may already have information about your selling activity\u200a\u2014\u200amaking accurate self-reporting even more important.
What Records to Keep
- All Whatnot sales CSVs (revenue, fees, shipping)
- Stock purchase receipts and invoices
- Packaging and shipping cost records
- Bank statements showing Whatnot payouts
- Mileage logs if you travel to source stock
Keep records for at least 5 years after the filing deadline. A tool like Whatnot Profits can import your sales CSVs and generate P&L reports that satisfy HMRC\u2019s record-keeping requirements.
Allowable Business Expenses for Whatnot Sellers
These costs can be deducted from your taxable profit:
Cost of goods (stock purchases)
What you paid for items you sell
Whatnot platform fees
8% commission + payment processing
Packaging materials
Mailers, tape, bubble wrap, labels, cards
Shipping / postage
Royal Mail, Evri, DPD — whatever you use
Equipment
Camera, lighting, phone stand, display props
Software & subscriptions
P&L tools, accounting software, card grading subs
Home office (proportion)
A share of broadband, electricity, rent if you stream from home
Travel & mileage
45p/mile for sourcing stock, attending events
Learn how to calculate your net profit after all these deductions.
Pricing for Profit\u200a\u2014\u200aDon\u2019t Sell at a Loss
The biggest mistake new Whatnot sellers make is starting auctions too low without knowing their break-even price. After fees, cost of goods, packaging, and shipping, many items need to sell for significantly more than the purchase price to make any profit at all.
Before every stream, use a break-even calculator to work out the minimum price for each item. Set your auction start prices above break-even, not below it. Our free pricing tools make this quick and easy.
Key UK Tax Dates for Whatnot Sellers
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to register as self-employed to sell on Whatnot UK?\u25BC
When do I need to register for VAT as a Whatnot seller?\u25BC
Can I claim Whatnot fees as a business expense?\u25BC
What records do I need to keep for HMRC?\u25BC
How does the Trading Allowance work for Whatnot sellers?\u25BC
Do Whatnot report my earnings to HMRC?\u25BC
Stop Guessing, Start Tracking
Whatnot Profits automatically calculates your fees, margins, and real profit on every sale. Import your Whatnot CSV and see the numbers in seconds.