Calculate PayPal fees for UK transactions instantly. Works for business payments, personal transfers, international payments, and PayPal Checkout.
Calculator
Calculate exactly how much PayPal will charge for your transaction. Whether you're selling goods online, sending money, or receiving payments through PayPal Checkout, this calculator shows the exact fee and how much you'll actually receive.
For PayPal Checkout (online sales): 2.99% + 30p per transaction. For QR code in-person payments: 1.5% + 5p. For micropayments under £10: 6.5% + 5p. Personal UK transfers funded from PayPal balance or bank account are free. International payments vary by country.
Does PayPal charge VAT on fees?
PayPal fees are VAT-exempt for UK businesses under current HMRC rules, as payment processing is classified as a financial service. However, if you're VAT-registered, you cannot reclaim VAT on PayPal fees as there is none charged.
How do I avoid PayPal fees?
Send personal payments using bank transfer or PayPal balance (free for UK transfers). For business sales, consider alternatives like Stripe (1.5% + 20p for UK cards) or Square. For regular customers, invoice via bank transfer/BACS to avoid payment processor fees entirely.
What is the PayPal micropayment rate?
PayPal's micropayment rate of 6.5% + 5p is available for transactions under £10. You must apply for this rate through PayPal — it's beneficial for small transactions where the standard 30p fixed fee would be disproportionately high.
Are PayPal fees the same for business and personal accounts?
No. Personal accounts sending money to friends/family (using 'friends and family' option) within the UK is free when funded from balance or bank. Business account sales through Checkout incur 2.99% + 30p. Using 'friends and family' for commercial sales violates PayPal's terms of service.
How does PayPal compare to Stripe for UK businesses?
Stripe charges 1.5% + 20p for UK cards and 2.5% + 20p for EU cards, making it cheaper than PayPal's 2.99% + 30p for most transactions. However, PayPal has 435 million users globally and higher buyer trust/conversion rates, which may offset the higher fees.
Can I pass PayPal fees to the buyer?
In many countries including the UK, passing payment surcharges to customers is permitted by law, but PayPal's merchant agreement previously prohibited adding surcharges. Check current PayPal terms and the Payment Surcharges Regulations 2012 (which banned surcharges for common payment methods). Credit card surcharges are banned for most consumer transactions.
What is the PayPal transaction limit for UK accounts?
Verified UK PayPal accounts have no set sending/receiving limit. Unverified accounts are limited to £1,900 lifetime receiving. For large transactions, PayPal may request additional verification or hold funds temporarily for seller protection compliance.