Why eBay needs your bank account information
When you sell on eBay, the money from your sales goes into an eBay account first. To move that money into your own bank account, you need to tell eBay where to send it. This connection between eBay and your bank is what lets you actually use the money you earn from selling.
eBay calls this process "adding a payment method" or "setting up payouts." You are not giving eBay permission to take money out whenever it wants — you are telling eBay which bank account should receive your seller earnings when you request a payout or when eBay automatically sends them to you.
Key Takeaways
- You need your bank's routing number and your account number to connect your bank to eBay, both of which appear on a check or through your bank's website.
- eBay will deposit two small test amounts (usually under $1 each) into your bank account, and you must enter those amounts back into eBay to confirm the account is really yours.
- The entire process takes about five to seven business days from the time you enter your bank details until eBay sends the test deposits.
- Once your bank account is confirmed, eBay can automatically send your seller earnings to it, or you can request a payout whenever you want.
What information you need before you start
Gather these details from your bank before you open eBay. You will need your routing number (a nine-digit code that identifies your specific bank branch) and your account number (the number of the checking or savings account where you want the money to go). Both appear at the bottom left of any check you have from that account.
If you do not have checks, log into your bank's website or app and look for account details or account information. Most banks display both numbers there. You can also call your bank's customer service line and ask for your routing number and account number — they will give them to you over the phone.
Make sure the account you choose is in your own name or a name you are authorized to use. eBay will eventually verify that the account belongs to you, and mismatched names can delay or block your payouts.
Steps to add your bank account on eBay
Log into your eBay account and go to Account Settings. Look for a section called "Payments" or "Payment Methods" — the exact name varies depending on whether you are using the eBay website or the mobile app, but it is always in Account Settings.
Select the option to add a bank account. eBay will ask you to choose your country and then enter your routing number and account number. Double-check both numbers before you submit — a single digit wrong will cause the test deposits to fail.
eBay will also ask for the name on the account and may ask for your account type (checking or savings). Enter exactly what appears on your bank statements. Then submit the form.
The verification step: confirming the account is yours
After you submit your bank details, eBay sends two small test deposits to your account. These are real deposits of a few cents each, and they arrive within five to seven business days. Your bank will show them in your account history.
Once the deposits appear in your account, log back into eBay and go to the same Payment Methods section. eBay will ask you to enter the exact amounts of the two test deposits. This proves to eBay that you actually have access to that bank account — you cannot guess the amounts, so only the real account owner can complete this step.
Enter both amounts and submit. eBay will confirm your account within a few minutes. After that, your bank account is fully connected and ready to receive payouts.
What happens after your account is verified
Once your bank account is confirmed, eBay can send your seller earnings to it. You have two options: automatic payouts or manual payouts. With automatic payouts, eBay sends your earnings to your bank on a set schedule (usually weekly or monthly, depending on your account). With manual payouts, you request the money whenever you want, and eBay sends it within a few business days.
You can change between automatic and manual payouts anytime in your Account Settings. You can also add multiple bank accounts if you want to split earnings between accounts, though only one can be set as your primary payout destination.
What to do if the test deposits do not arrive
If five to seven business days have passed and you do not see the test deposits in your bank account, the routing or account number you entered was likely incorrect. Check your bank statements or your bank's website to confirm both numbers, then go back to eBay and delete the incorrect account.
Add the account again with the correct numbers. The test deposits will be sent again, and you will need to wait another five to seven business days. If the deposits still do not arrive after a second attempt, contact your bank to confirm they are not blocking small deposits from eBay, then contact eBay's seller support for help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a savings account instead of a checking account?
Yes. eBay accepts both checking and savings accounts. Choose whichever account you prefer. The process is the same — you enter the routing number and account number, receive test deposits, and confirm the amounts.
What if I want to change which bank account receives my payouts?
You can add a new bank account using the same process and set it as your primary payout destination. Your old account will remain on file unless you delete it. eBay will send future payouts to whichever account you have marked as primary.
Do I have to use automatic payouts, or can I request money whenever I want?
You choose. eBay lets you switch between automatic payouts on a schedule and manual payouts where you request money when you need it. You can change this setting anytime in your Account Settings under Payments.
How long does it take for money to actually reach my bank after eBay sends a payout?
eBay typically processes payouts within one to two business days, but your bank may take an additional one to three business days to deposit the money into your account. The total time is usually three to five business days from the time eBay initiates the payout.
What if my name on eBay does not match the name on my bank account?
eBay will eventually verify that the account belongs to you, and a name mismatch can cause delays. If your eBay account name and bank account name are different, contact eBay seller support before adding the account to explain the situation and ask whether you can proceed.