How to Buy and Sell on Facebook Marketplace

What to Know

To sell: open Marketplace → Create new listing → Item for sale, add photos, price, and a description, then Publish.
To buy: browse or search Marketplace, tap an item, message the seller, and agree on pickup or delivery.
Local pickup is free; if you ship an item through Marketplace, Facebook takes a 5% fee (minimum $0.40).

Facebook Marketplace connects buyers and sellers in the same area, and it works on the app and on desktop. This guide covers exactly how to list an item, how to buy safely, what the fees are, and how to avoid the scams that target new users.

How to sell on Facebook Marketplace

On the mobile app

Open Facebook and tap Marketplace (the storefront icon).
Tap Sell, then Create new listing, then Item for sale.
Add photos — use at least 5. Listings with five or more photos get noticeably more views. Shoot in daylight against a plain background, and include any flaws.
Fill in the title, price, condition, category, and a clear description. To give an item away, set the price to 0.
Choose whether you’ll sell for local pickup, shipping, or both.
Tap Publish.

On desktop

From your Feed, click Marketplace in the left menu.
Click Create new listing, then Item for sale.
Click Add photos, upload your images, and enter the item details.
Click Publish.

Pricing tip: Search Marketplace for the same item before you list, and price against what’s actually selling nearby. Marketplace buyers expect to haggle, so leaving a small margin above your lowest acceptable price gives you room to negotiate.

Fees, shipping, and getting paid

Local pickup: free. You meet the buyer, hand over the item, and keep 100% of the cash.
Shipping through Marketplace: Facebook charges a 5% selling fee (minimum $0.40 per item) and adds purchase protection for the buyer.
Getting paid: for shipped orders, the payment is processed and deposited to your linked bank account, typically within about 20 days depending on your bank.
Buyers can pay by credit card, debit card, or PayPal at checkout for shipped items.

How to buy on Facebook Marketplace

Open Marketplace and browse by category, or use the search bar to find a specific item.
Set your location and distance filter so you only see nearby listings.
Tap an item to see the photos, price, and seller. Tap the seller’s name to check their profile and ratings.
Tap Message to ask questions and confirm the item is still available.
Agree on a price and whether it’s local pickup or shipping.

Staying safe when you buy or sell

Marketplace is convenient, but it attracts scammers. A few rules protect you either way:

Meet in a public place in daylight for local deals, and bring someone if you can.
Never send a deposit or “hold” payment before seeing an item.
Be wary of buyers who insist on Zelle, Venmo, or gift cards or who “overpay” and ask for a refund — those are classic scams.
Keep the conversation and payment inside official channels where possible.

For the full playbook, read our guide to common Facebook Marketplace scams and how to avoid them. If your listing won’t appear for buyers, see Facebook Marketplace not working: fixes.

Frequently asked questions

Does it cost anything to list an item?

No. Creating a listing is free. You only pay the 5% fee if you sell an item that ships through Marketplace; local pickup sales have no fee.

Can I use Marketplace on a computer?

Yes. Marketplace works on desktop at facebook.com and in the mobile app. The old claim that it was “app only” is out of date.

Does Facebook handle the payment for local deals?

No. For local pickup, you and the buyer arrange payment yourselves — cash is safest. Facebook only processes payment for items shipped through its checkout.

Verified against Facebook Marketplace on web and the mobile app as of July 2026. Fees and shipping options can vary by country.