Quick Facts

• Free options: Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree cost nothing
• Takealot charges R400 per month plus 5-18% commission
• Amazon South Africa launched in May 2024
• Over 59% of South Africans report online selling scams

Why Sell Online in South Africa

South African e-commerce is growing fast. Online sales reached R225 billion in 2025.

More people buy products online every day. You can reach millions of customers from your home.

Many platforms help you sell products. Some charge fees while others are free.

This guide explains each platform’s costs and features. You will learn which option suits your business best.

✅ Free Selling Platforms (No Monthly Fees)

Facebook Marketplace

Cost: Completely free to list and sell

Best for: Second-hand items, local sales, furniture, electronics

How it works: You list items through your Facebook account. Buyers contact you via Facebook Messenger. You arrange payment and delivery yourself.

Advantages:

• No listing or selling fees
• Buyers can see your Facebook profile for trust
• Easy to list items with photos from your phone
• Shows items to people near your location
• Over 550 million people worldwide use it

Disadvantages:

• You must handle all payment and delivery
• Limited protection against scammers
• Cash transactions can be risky
• Not suitable for large-scale business

Gumtree

Cost: Free basic listings, R59 for boosted visibility

Best for: Cars, furniture, property rentals, job listings, electronics

How it works: Create an account on Gumtree. List your items with photos and descriptions. Buyers contact you by phone or email.

Advantages:

• Free to list most items
• Well-known platform since many years
• Good for selling in specific areas
• Categories for many product types

Disadvantages:

• Scammers are common on the platform
• Free ads get buried under paid boosts
• Limited buyer protection
• Facing competition from Facebook Marketplace

OLX South Africa

Cost: Free to list and sell

Best for: Quick one-off sales, second-hand goods

Status: User numbers have decreased due to competition. Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace are now more popular.

Note: OLX still works but has fewer active buyers than before.

⚠️ Paid Marketplace Platforms (Monthly Fees + Commission)

Takealot (South Africa’s Largest)

Monthly Fee: R400 per seller account

Commission: 5% to 18% of each sale (depends on category)

Fulfillment: Extra fees if you use Takealot’s warehouses and delivery

Best for: Established businesses with good stock levels

Advantages:

• Millions of South African customers
• Most trusted online marketplace
• Professional delivery services available
• Strong buyer protection builds trust
• Marketing and analytics tools provided

Disadvantages:

• R400 monthly fee even with no sales
• High commission rates reduce profits
• Very competitive marketplace
• Storage fees if using their warehouses
• Not suitable for small sellers

Amazon South Africa

Launch Date: May 2024 (newly available)

Registration: Free account setup

Commission: 6% to 15% referral fees

Fulfillment: Amazon warehouses in Johannesburg and Cape Town

Best for: Sellers wanting international expansion

Advantages:

• Global brand recognition and trust
• Access to Amazon’s international markets
• Professional fulfillment services (FBA)
• Advanced seller tools and analytics
• Amazon Ads for product promotion

Requirements:

• South African tax registration
• Local bank account details
• Business documentation

BidorBuy (Auction + Fixed Price)

Listing: Free basic listings in most categories

Success Fee: 2% to 8% when items sell

Store Option: R500 to R1000 monthly for dedicated storefront

Best for: Collectibles, niche products, auction-style selling

How it works: Buyers can bid on items or buy immediately. You choose which selling method to use.

Advantages:

• Free to list most items
• Auction format can increase prices
• Lower fees than Takealot
• Established South African community

Disadvantages:

• Less traffic than major platforms
• Store fees if you want more features
• Limited seller protection

Makro Marketplace

Listing Fee: None

Monthly Fee: None

Commission: Charged on sales (rates vary)

Best for: Budget-conscious sellers, no upfront costs

Traffic: Over 1.5 million monthly visitors

Advantages:

• No monthly subscription fees
• No inventory storage required
• Good for testing online sales

Disadvantages:

• Smaller audience than Takealot
• Commission reduces profit margins

Platform Comparison Table

Platform	Monthly Fee	Commission	Best For
Facebook Marketplace	R0	0%	Local sales, second-hand items
Gumtree	R0 (R59 boost optional)	0%	Cars, furniture, property
BidorBuy	R0 (R500-R1000 for store)	2-8%	Collectibles, niche items
Makro	R0	Varies	General products
Takealot	R400	5-18%	Established businesses
Amazon SA	R0	6-15%	International expansion

How to Choose the Right Platform

If You Are Starting Out (No Money to Invest)

Best Choice: Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree

These platforms cost nothing to use. You can start selling today with just photos of your items.

You handle all payments and delivery yourself. This keeps costs low.

If You Sell Occasionally (Side Income)

Best Choice: Gumtree or BidorBuy

Free basic listings let you sell when you want. No monthly costs if you make no sales.

If You Have an Established Business

Best Choice: Takealot or Amazon South Africa

These platforms offer professional services. The R400 monthly fee makes sense if you sell regularly.

You get access to millions of customers. Professional delivery services build trust.

If You Sell Unique or Collectible Items

Best Choice: BidorBuy

The auction format can increase prices for rare items. Collectors actively use this platform.

If You Want to Test Online Selling

Best Choice: Facebook Marketplace + Makro

Start free on Facebook to learn the basics. Add Makro later when you understand online selling.

✅ Requirements to Start Selling Online

Basic Requirements (All Platforms)

• South African ID document or passport
• Valid email address
• Cell phone number
• Bank account for receiving payments
• Photos of items you want to sell
• Physical address for delivery

Additional Requirements for Paid Platforms

Takealot and Amazon:

• Registered business (recommended)
• Tax registration number
• Business bank account
• Proof of address
• Supplier agreements if selling branded goods

Legal Requirements in South Africa

The Consumer Protection Act protects buyers. You must:

• Describe products honestly and accurately
• Ship items within promised timeframes
• Accept returns for defective products
• Protect customer information (POPI Act)
• Provide clear pricing with no hidden fees
• Issue receipts or proof of purchase

What You Need to Take Good Product Photos

• Smartphone with camera (any phone from 2020 onwards)
• Good lighting (natural daylight works best)
• Clean background (white or plain colours)
• Show items from multiple angles
• Include photos of any defects or damage

🚨 Scams and Safety Warnings for Online Sellers

CRITICAL: 59% of South Africans reported online selling scams in 2025. Digital fraud increased by 24% in banking apps.

Common Scams Targeting Sellers

Safety Rules for All Sellers

• Meet buyers in public places (shopping centres, police stations)
• Bring someone with you to meet buyers
• Never share banking OTP or PIN numbers
• Check buyer’s profile history and reviews
• Use established payment methods only
• Trust your instincts – if something feels wrong, it probably is
• Report suspicious activity immediately

Where to Report Scams

YIMA Scam Hotline: 083 123 7226 (free service)

YIMA Website: www.yima.org.za (report scams and check website safety)

SABRIC: South African Banking Risk Information Centre (report banking fraud)

SAFPS: Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (protective registration)

Police: 10111 (emergencies) or open case at local station

Consumer Protection Rights (Your Legal Obligations)

The Consumer Protection Act (CPA) gives buyers strong rights. As a seller, you must follow these rules:

Right to Accurate Information

You must describe products truthfully. This includes:

• Correct condition (new, used, refurbished)
• All defects or damage clearly stated
• Accurate measurements and specifications
• Real photos of the actual item
• True brand names and model numbers

Penalty: Buyers can demand full refunds for misleading descriptions.

Right to Quality Products

Products must be:

• Suitable for their normal purpose
• Of good quality without major defects
• In working order when delivered
• Durable for reasonable time period

Warranty Period: Buyers have 6 months to return defective products.

Return Rights for Buyers

Buyers can return products if:

• Product is defective or broken
• Description was misleading
• Product arrives different from photos
• They didn’t inspect it before buying (5-day cooling off period)

Important: You cannot use “voetstoots” (sold as-is) unless you disclosed all defects in writing.

Data Protection (POPI Act)

You must protect customer information:

• Keep names, addresses and numbers private
• Do not share customer details with others
• Store information securely
• Delete data when no longer needed

Penalty: Up to R10 million fines for POPI Act violations.

Where Buyers Can Complain

National Consumer Commission: 0860 003 600

Consumer Goods and Services Ombud: www.cgso.org.za

Platform-specific complaints: Each marketplace has dispute resolution process

✅ Step-by-Step: How to Start Selling Today

Step 1: Choose Your Platform

Start with Facebook Marketplace if you have no money to invest. It is completely free and easy to use.

Step 2: Gather Your Information

• Take clear photos of your items
• Write honest descriptions
• Note any defects or damage
• Prepare your ID and bank details

Step 3: Create Your Account

Visit the platform website or app. Follow the registration process. Verify your email and phone number.

Step 4: List Your First Item

Upload photos, write description and set your price. Be honest about condition and include delivery options.

Step 5: Respond to Buyers

Answer questions quickly. Be professional and friendly. Negotiate price if necessary.

Step 6: Complete the Sale Safely

• Wait for payment to clear in your bank
• Meet in public for cash transactions
• Use tracking numbers for shipped items
• Keep proof of delivery

Step 7: Build Your Reputation

Ask happy customers to leave reviews. Good reviews help you sell more items. Respond professionally to any complaints.

For Beginners: Start with Facebook Marketplace. It costs nothing and helps you learn online selling without risk.

For Side Income: Use Gumtree or BidorBuy. Free listings mean you only pay when items sell.

For Serious Business: Invest in Takealot or Amazon. The R400 monthly fee is worth it for access to millions of customers.

Safety First: Always verify payments before shipping items. Never share OTP numbers or PINs. Meet buyers in public places.

Remember: Start small and grow slowly. Use multiple platforms to reach more customers. Report scams immediately to protect others.

Online selling can provide good income if you follow safety rules and choose the right platform for your needs.