Albion Online Market Tax & Setup Fee Explained
Albion Online charges two market costs: a sell-order transaction tax of 4% with premium (8% without), and a flat 2.5% setup fee on every buy or sell order you place. So a premium seller pays about 6.5% total and a non-premium seller about 10.5%. These fees come straight off your margin, so you must price above them to profit — the Flip Finder factors them in automatically.
- Sell-order tax: 4% with premium, 8% without.
- Setup fee: flat 2.5% on buy and sell orders, charged when you place them.
- Premium total cost ≈ 6.5%; non-premium ≈ 10.5%.
- The setup fee is non-refundable even if your order never fills.
- Build fees into every flip — see market tax and fees math below.
What taxes and fees exist on the market?
There are two separate charges and it is important not to confuse them. The transaction tax (also called sell-order tax) is taken from the sale proceeds when an item actually sells. The setup fee is a smaller flat charge taken up front the moment you place a buy or sell order, whether or not it ever fills.
- Transaction (sell) tax — charged on completed sales: 4% premium / 8% non-premium.
- Setup fee — flat 2.5% charged when you place an order, regardless of whether it fills.
- Both are calculated from the order price you set, not from your cost.
How do fees affect flipping margins?
Because fees are a percentage of price, your real margin is the gap between buy and sell prices minus every fee on both sides. The example below shows a premium flip with round numbers — swap in live prices from the Flip Finder for your own items.
| Step | Amount |
|---|---|
| Buy item via buy order at | 100,000 silver |
| Setup fee on buy order (2.5%) | −2,500 silver |
| Re-list via sell order at | 120,000 silver |
| Setup fee on sell order (2.5%) | −3,000 silver |
| Transaction tax when it sells (4%) | −4,800 silver |
| Net proceeds | ≈ 112,200 silver |
| Profit after all fees | ≈ 9,700 silver |
Buy orders vs sell orders: which costs more?
Both order types carry the 2.5% setup fee, but only the seller pays the transaction tax. This shapes the smartest way to trade: use buy orders to acquire cheaply and sell orders to dispose at a higher price, accepting that the sell side bears the heavier tax.
- Instant buy / instant sell — you cross the spread and pay no setup fee on that leg, but you accept a worse price; the seller still pays transaction tax.
- Buy order — 2.5% setup fee; lets you buy below the instant-sell price.
- Sell order — 2.5% setup fee plus the transaction tax when it fills; lets you sell above the instant-buy price.
How do you minimize market fees?
You cannot avoid fees entirely, but a few habits keep them from eroding your profit.
- Run premiumHalving your transaction tax from 8% to 4% is the single biggest fee reduction available. See is premium worth it.
- Avoid re-listing repeatedlyEvery cancel-and-relist triggers the 2.5% setup fee again. Price carefully the first time instead of chasing undercuts.
- Price above your break-evenAdd buy-side setup fee, sell-side setup fee, and transaction tax together, then set a sell price that clears all of them.
- Use a tool to net out feesThe Flip Finder shows post-fee profit so you never act on a misleading raw spread.
- Consider instant sells for low-value itemsFor cheap, fast-moving stock, an instant sell can beat the repeated setup fees of constant re-listing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the market tax in Albion Online?
There are two charges. The sell-order transaction tax is 4% with premium and 8% without, taken when an item sells. The setup fee is a flat 2.5% charged when you place any buy or sell order, whether or not it fills. Together a premium seller pays about 6.5% and a non-premium seller about 10.5%.
What is the setup fee in Albion Online?
The setup fee is a flat 2.5% charged the moment you place a buy or sell order, calculated from the order price. It is non-refundable, so if you cancel and re-list an order you pay it again. Everyone pays the same 2.5% regardless of premium status.
Does premium reduce market tax?
Yes. Premium halves the sell-order transaction tax from 8% to 4%. It does not change the 2.5% setup fee. For active traders and crafters this tax reduction often covers the cost of premium on its own.
Do buy orders pay the transaction tax?
No. Only the seller pays the transaction tax. Both buyers and sellers pay the 2.5% setup fee when placing an order. This is why a common strategy is to acquire items with buy orders and dispose of them with sell orders.
How do fees affect my flipping profit?
Fees come off both legs of a flip, so your real profit is the buy-to-sell spread minus the setup fees on both orders and the transaction tax on the sale. A spread that looks large can shrink dramatically after fees, so always net them out before committing. A flipping tool that shows post-fee profit prevents this mistake.
Is the setup fee refunded if my order doesn't sell?
No. The 2.5% setup fee is non-refundable. If your order expires, you cancel it, or you re-list at a new price, the fee is charged again each time. Repeatedly re-listing to chase undercuts can quietly erode your margin.
How can I pay fewer market fees?
Run premium to halve the transaction tax, avoid repeatedly cancelling and re-listing orders, and price every sale above the combined cost of both setup fees plus the transaction tax. For low-value, fast-moving items, an instant sell can sometimes beat the repeated setup fees of constant re-listing.