Marketplace Comparison
eBay vs Amazon: Chinese Sellers Guide
eBay vs Amazon for Chinese sellers: compare fees, entry barriers, fulfillment options, seller competition, and the best multi-platform strategy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | eBay | Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| Region | United States & Europe | United States & Europe |
| Total GMV | $73B+ | $700B+ |
| Active Buyers | 133M+ | 310M+ |
| Active Sellers | 18M+ | 2M+ |
| YoY Growth | +5% YoY | +12% YoY |
| Monthly Subscription | $4.95–$2,999.95/month | N/A |
| Commission Range | N/A | 8–15% (category dependent) |
| Registration Timeline | 1–7 business days for account setup | 5–14 business days for account approval |
| Founded | 1995 | 1994 |
Best Product Categories
eBay
Amazon
Which Platform Should You Choose?
Choose eBay if...
eBay is best for sellers who want easy market entry without a US entity, sell niche or specialty products (collectibles, auto parts, refurbished electronics), or want to test product demand before committing to Amazon FBA inventory. eBay's lower barriers and global reach make it ideal for getting started in cross-border e-commerce.
Choose Amazon if...
Amazon is best for sellers who want maximum buyer traffic, can invest in FBA inventory, and sell in mainstream consumer categories. Amazon's Prime ecosystem, sophisticated advertising platform, and 310M+ active buyers make it the top revenue-generating marketplace for serious cross-border sellers.
Our Verdict
Amazon is the better primary marketplace for Chinese sellers due to its massive buyer base, FBA fulfillment infrastructure, and higher conversion rates. However, eBay is an excellent complementary platform with lower barriers to entry (no US entity required), lower fees, and strong performance in niche categories. The ideal strategy is to use eBay for product testing and niche sales while scaling your main business on Amazon. UNIMALL manages both platforms from a single integration.