Selling an item at auction can involve several deductions from the hammer price, including seller’s commission, VAT and other auction-house charges. The amount an item sells for is therefore not necessarily the amount you will receive.
Use the Holytown Antiques Auction Selling Fees Calculator to estimate the possible deductions from an auction sale and see approximately how much you may receive after fees.
Enter the expected or actual hammer price together with the seller’s commission, applicable VAT and any additional charges shown in the auction house’s terms. The calculator will provide an estimated net amount after those deductions.
Auction selling fees vary between auction houses and individual sales, so always check the current consignment agreement and conditions of sale before entering an item into auction.
The Auction Fees Calculator is a simple, user-friendly web tool designed to help online sellers estimate the total fees and net profit from selling items on popular platforms like eBay, Etsy, and Amazon. It takes into account various costs such as listing fees, final value fees, payment processing fees, and optional charges, giving you a quick snapshot of your earnings after deductions.
Whether you’re a casual seller or running a small business, this calculator helps you make informed pricing decisions and understand your true profit margins.
Calculate Your Estimated Auction Sale Proceeds
Estimate seller’s commission, VAT and other deductions from the hammer price.
Field Descriptions
Item Name
Enter a short description of the item you are selling, for example “Victorian mahogany cabinet” or “Pair of dining chairs”. This is optional but can be useful if you print or save the calculation.
Hammer Price (£)
The hammer price is the amount at which the auctioneer sells the lot. This is the starting figure before the auction house deducts seller’s commission, VAT and any other applicable charges.
Seller’s Commission (%)
Enter the percentage commission charged by the auction house to the seller. This is normally deducted from the hammer price.
For example, a 15% seller’s commission on a £500 hammer price would result in a £75 commission charge before any applicable VAT.
VAT on Seller’s Commission (%)
Enter the VAT rate that applies to the seller’s commission. In the UK this is commonly 20% on auction-house services, but always check the auction house’s current terms and your consignment agreement.
This field applies VAT to the seller’s commission only.
Lotting / Catalogue Fee (£)
Some auction houses charge a fixed fee for entering a lot into a sale. This may be described as a lotting fee, catalogue fee, photography fee or entry charge.
Enter the fixed amount charged for the lot, or leave the field at £0 if no such fee applies.
Other Fixed Fees (£)
Use this field for any other seller charges that are not included in the commission or lotting fee. These might include storage, insurance, handling or other auction-specific charges.
VAT on Fixed Fees (%)
Enter the VAT rate that applies to the fixed fees you have entered. If those charges already include VAT, or no VAT applies, enter 0%.
Total Deductions
The calculator adds together the seller’s commission, VAT on the commission, lotting or catalogue fees, other fixed charges and any VAT applied to those fixed fees.
Estimated Net Proceeds
This is the estimated amount remaining from the hammer price after the fees entered into the calculator have been deducted.
It should not be confused with profit, because the calculator does not take into account what you originally paid for the item, restoration costs, transport expenses or other costs associated with owning it.
What Costs Can Be Deducted When Selling at Auction?
The hammer price is not necessarily the amount a seller receives. Auction houses may deduct several charges before paying the net proceeds of a sale.
Seller’s Commission
Seller’s commission is one of the main auction-house charges. It is usually calculated as a percentage of the hammer price and deducted from the seller’s proceeds.
VAT on Commission
VAT may be charged on the auction house’s commission and other services. Check whether the commission percentage quoted to you includes or excludes VAT before calculating your likely return.
Lotting, Catalogue or Photography Fees
Some auction houses charge a fixed amount for entering, cataloguing or photographing a lot, regardless of the final hammer price.
Storage and Handling Charges
Additional charges may apply for storage, transport, insurance, handling or other services provided by the auction house.
Unsold Lot Charges
Some auction houses may charge fees if a lot remains unsold or is withdrawn from sale. These charges vary, so check the consignment agreement before entering an item.
Tip: Ask the auction house for a complete breakdown of seller charges before consigning an item. Comparing the expected hammer price with the estimated net proceeds gives a much clearer picture of what you may actually receive.
Example Auction Sale
Suppose an antique cabinet sells for a £500 hammer price and the auction house charges 15% seller’s commission plus 20% VAT on the commission.
Step 1 — Hammer Price
The item sells for:
£500
Step 2 — Seller’s Commission
15% commission on £500 is:
£500 × 15% = £75
Step 3 — VAT on the Commission
20% VAT on the £75 commission is:
£75 × 20% = £15
Step 4 — Estimated Net Proceeds
The estimated proceeds before any other auction-house charges would therefore be:
£500 − £75 − £15 = £410
If the auction house also charged a £10 lotting fee plus 20% VAT on that fee, another £12 would be deducted, reducing the estimated net proceeds to £398.
This is why an item selling for £500 at auction does not necessarily mean the seller receives £500.
Auction Selling Fees – Frequently Asked Questions
What is seller’s commission?
Seller’s commission is a fee charged by an auction house for selling an item on your behalf. It is normally calculated as a percentage of the hammer price and deducted before the seller is paid.
Is the hammer price the amount I receive?
Usually not. Seller’s commission, applicable VAT and other auction-house charges may be deducted from the hammer price before the remaining proceeds are paid to you.
Do all auction houses charge the same seller’s commission?
No. Commission percentages and fee structures vary between auction houses and sometimes between individual consignments. Some charges may also be negotiable depending on the item or value of the consignment.
Is VAT charged on seller’s commission?
VAT may apply to auction-house services such as seller’s commission and other charges. Check whether the commission rate quoted by the auction house includes VAT or whether VAT will be added separately.
What is a lotting fee?
A lotting fee is a fixed charge that may be applied for entering an item into an auction. It may also be described as an entry, catalogue or photography fee.
Can an auction house charge me if my item does not sell?
Some auction houses may charge unsold-lot, withdrawal, catalogue, storage or other fees even when an item does not sell. Check the consignment agreement before entering your item.
What is the difference between net proceeds and profit?
Net proceeds are the amount remaining after the auction-house charges entered into the calculator have been deducted from the hammer price.
Profit is different because it would also need to account for what you originally paid for the item and any costs such as restoration, storage or transport.
Should I compare auction fees before choosing where to sell?
Yes. Commission rates and fixed charges can affect the amount you ultimately receive. However, fees are only one consideration — the auction house’s specialist knowledge, audience, marketing and likely sale price may also affect the outcome.
Can I sell an antique directly instead of using an auction?
Yes. Depending on the item, alternatives can include private sale, selling to a dealer or offering the item directly to an antiques business.
If you have antique, vintage or quality pre-owned items you are considering selling, you can also use our Sell an Item to Holytown Antiques page to send us details and photographs.
How can I research what my item might sell for?
Previous sold prices can provide a useful starting point when researching an item. Our Antique Price Finder can help you compare previous sale results for similar antiques and collectables.
Related Tools
These free Holytown Antiques tools and services may also be useful when researching, buying or selling antiques.
Antique Price Finder
Research previous antique and collectable sale results and compare similar items before deciding where or how to sell.
Auction Buying Fees Calculator
Buying rather than selling? Estimate buyer’s premium, VAT and other costs to calculate the likely total price of an auction purchase.
Maximum Auction Bid Calculator
Work backwards from your maximum total budget to estimate a sensible hammer-price limit before bidding.
Sell an Item to Holytown Antiques
Have an antique, vintage or quality pre-owned item to sell? Send us some information and photographs and we will be happy to consider it for Holytown Antiques.
Important Information
The Auction Selling Fees Calculator is provided as a general guide to help estimate possible auction-house deductions and net sale proceeds.
Seller’s commission, VAT treatment, lotting fees, catalogue charges, photography, insurance, storage, handling, withdrawal fees and other costs can vary between auction houses, sales and individual consignments.
The calculator does not replace the auction house’s consignment agreement, settlement statement or conditions of sale. Always confirm the current charges with the auction house before entering an item.
The estimated net proceeds shown by the calculator are not a valuation of the item and should not be interpreted as profit.
Please note: Information and calculations provided on this page are for general research and planning purposes only and should not be treated as financial, tax, legal or professional valuation advice.