How to start selling online as a teenager
The simplest way to start selling online as a teen is to resell things you already own on a marketplace like eBay, Vinted or Depop. If you make things, Etsy suits handmade and digital products. First, check the platform's age rules — many require you to be 18 or to have a parent hold the account. Price for profit after fees and shipping, and keep a record of every sale for tax.
Selling online is one of the faster ways for a young person to make real money, because you can start this week with stuff that's already in your house. It's also more work than it looks: good photos, fair pricing, packing, postage and the occasional awkward buyer. Done right, it's a genuine little income. Done carelessly, you lose money on fees and shipping without noticing.
Here's how to start sensibly, what to sell, which platform fits what, and the bits people skip — fees, age rules and tax.
First: check the age rules
This matters before anything else. Most major marketplaces set a minimum age in their terms — often 18, sometimes lower with a parent or guardian involved. Payment services attached to those platforms usually require you to be 18 too. That doesn't mean you can't sell as a teen; it means the account is often set up by a parent, with you doing the work and keeping clear records so it's fair.
Don't fake your age to get around it — accounts get frozen and payouts held, which is the opposite of the goal. For the full picture, read can you get paid online if you're under 18? and our getting paid pillar.
What to sell when you're starting
Begin with the lowest-risk option: things you already own and don't use. Clothes, shoes, games, books, tech, collectibles. You learn the whole process — listing, pricing, packing, shipping — with zero upfront cost, and you declutter at the same time.
Once you've got the hang of it, you can level up to one of three paths. Reselling/flipping means buying underpriced items (charity shops, clearance, marketplace bargains) and selling them on; it works but margins are thin and it's hands-on. Handmade suits you if you make something — jewellery, art, crafts — though it's slow to scale because each item takes time. Digital products — printables, templates, study notes, presets — cost nothing to reproduce, so they have the best margins, but they only sell if people can find them.
Which platform for which product
| Platform | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| eBay | Almost anything: tech, collectibles, general resale | Huge audience; auction or fixed price; fees apply |
| Vinted | Used clothing and accessories | Buyer often pays fees; simple for fashion resale |
| Depop | Fashion, vintage, streetwear (younger audience) | Style and photos matter a lot |
| Etsy | Handmade and digital products | Listing and transaction fees; good for crafts/printables |
| Local marketplaces | Bulky items, furniture, quick local sales | Cash or local payment; meet safely in public |
Match the product to the marketplace and you'll sell faster. A bulky item that's expensive to post is better sold locally; a niche collectible reaches the most buyers on eBay; fashion moves on Vinted and Depop. [VERIFY: current selling/transaction fee structures for eBay, Vinted, Depop and Etsy in 2026 — suggested source: each platform's official seller fee pages]
A simple 5-step start
- Check the age rules for your chosen platform and sort out the account (with a parent if needed).
- Gather 10–15 items you already own that are in good condition.
- Photograph them well — natural light, plain background, show any flaws honestly. Good photos sell; bad ones don't.
- Write clear, honest listings with the key details (brand, size, condition) and price to profit after fees and postage.
- Pack securely, post promptly, and log each sale — what it sold for, the fees, and the shipping cost — so you know your real profit and have records for tax.
Fees, pricing and actual profit
This is where beginners lose money without realising. Your profit isn't the sale price — it's the sale price minus the platform fee, minus any payment fee, minus shipping and packaging, minus what you paid for the item. A £15 sale can become a few pounds of actual profit once everything's counted.
Before you list, do the quick maths: what will I net after all fees and postage? If the answer is "barely anything," either price higher or sell it locally to skip shipping. For small items, postage is often the silent killer of profit, so weigh and price postage realistically.
Tax note
Selling your own used belongings usually isn't taxed, but regularly buying to resell, or running a handmade/digital shop, can count as trading income once you pass your country's threshold. Marketplaces in some regions also report seller activity to tax authorities. Keep records and check taxes for young earners. This is general info, not tax advice.
Staying safe and avoiding scams
Selling attracts a few bad actors. Be wary of "buyers" who want to pay outside the platform, who overpay and ask for a refund of the difference, or who push you to ship before payment clears. Keep transactions inside the platform's protected system where you can, and for local sales, meet in a busy public place and bring someone with you.
For the full set of red flags across all kinds of online money, read how to spot and avoid "make money online" scams.
FAQ
Can a 15-year-old sell on eBay or Etsy?
Most major marketplaces require account holders to be 18, so a younger teen usually sells through a parent's account with permission. Check the current terms for each platform, and see our under-18 guide.
What sells fastest for beginners?
Used clothing, popular tech, games and collectibles tend to move quickly because demand is steady. Start with what you already own to learn the process risk-free.
Is reselling worth it?
It can be, but it's hands-on work with thin margins, not passive income. The people who do well source carefully and track their real profit after every fee. If you want quick cash and don't mind the legwork, it's solid.