Auction House Fees Compared
What it really costs to buy and sell at auction — buyer's premiums and seller commissions for 82+ auction houses, in one place.
82
Auction Houses
16
Countries
20–28%
Typical Buyer's Premium
Jun 2026
Last Updated
Quick Answer
Buyers pay a buyer's premium of 20–28% on top of the hammer price at most auction houses. Sellers pay a negotiable commission of 0–25% — major houses like Christie's and Sotheby's often waive it entirely for valuable consignments, while Heritage Auctions charges 0% on most items. Additional costs can include photography, insurance, and unsold lot fees.
Fee data compiled from official rate cards, current as of June 2026The Big Four
The world's leading international auction houses, and what they charge.
🇬🇧 London · Est. 1766
Buyer's Premium
Typically 26% up to $1M, 20% on portion $1M–$6M, 14.5% above $6M
Seller's Commission
Negotiable; contact directly
🇺🇸 New York · Est. 1744
Buyer's Premium
Typically 26% up to $1M, 20% on portion $1M–$6M, 14.5% above $6M
Seller's Commission
Negotiable; contact directly
🇬🇧 London · Est. 1796
Buyer's Premium
Typically 26% up to $1M, 21% on portion $1M–$6M, 14.5% above $6M
Seller's Commission
Contact directly
🇬🇧 London · Est. 1793
Buyer's Premium
Typically 27.5% up to £12,500, 26% up to £600K, lower tiers above
Seller's Commission
Contact directly
Full Fee Comparison
Every auction house in our directory with published fee information. Click any name for the full profile, specialties, and notable sales.
| Auction House | Country | Buyer's Premium | Seller's Commission | Price Segment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leonard Joel | 🇦🇺 Australia | 25% of hammer price inclusive of GST | Negotiated per consignment; contact for rates | Accessible to High-End |
| Leski Auctions | 🇦🇺 Australia | Approximately 22%–25% inclusive of GST | Negotiated per consignment; contact for rates | Accessible to Mid-Range |
| Dorotheum | 🇦🇹 Austria | Approx. 30% incl. taxes under differential taxation | Contact directly | Accessible to Ultra-Premium |
| Waddington's Auctioneers & Appraisers | 🇨🇦 Canada | Tiered: approximately 25% on first portion, stepping down | Negotiated per consignment | Mid-Range to High-End |
| Poly Auction | 🇨🇳 China | Approximately 15%–20%; varies by sale and location | Negotiated per consignment; contact for rates | Mid-Range to Ultra High-End |
| Bruun Rasmussen | 🇩🇰 Denmark | Contact for current rates | Contact directly | Accessible to High-End |
| Lauritz.com | 🇩🇰 Denmark | Buyer's premium applies; see auction terms for current percentage | Contact for rates; varies by category and value | Affordable to Mid-Range |
| Aguttes | 🇫🇷 France | Typically 25%–30% including VAT. Rates may vary for automobiles and high-value lots. Verify current schedule before bidding. | Negotiable based on consignment value and category. Free verbal estimates available. Guaranteed minimums offered for significant consignments. | €500 – €10,000,000+ |
| Artcurial | 🇫🇷 France | 26% (varies by category and location) | Contact directly | Mid-Range to Ultra-Premium |
| Cornette de Saint Cyr | 🇫🇷 France | 28% up to €40K, 27% to €800K, 21% to €4.5M, 14.5% above; +20% VAT | Contact for rates; negotiated per consignment | Mid-Range to High-End |
| Millon | 🇫🇷 France | Degressive: 11.90%–29.17% depending on lot value and category | Negotiated per consignment; contact for rates | Mid-Range to High-End |
| Piasa | 🇫🇷 France | Approximately 20%–28% depending on sale category | Negotiated per consignment; contact for rates | Mid-Range to High-End |
| Tajan | 🇫🇷 France | 26% excl. tax up to €500K, 21% €500K–€3M, 14% above €3M | Contact directly | Mid-Range to High-End |
| Grisebach | 🇩🇪 Germany | Contact for current rates | Contact directly | Mid-Range to Ultra-Premium |
| Hampel Fine Art Auctions | 🇩🇪 Germany | 29.5% of hammer price inclusive of VAT | Negotiated per consignment; contact for rates | Mid-Range to High-End |
| Ketterer Kunst | 🇩🇪 Germany | Tiered: approximately 25/20/19% depending on hammer price level | Negotiated per consignment; contact for rates | Mid-Range to Premium |
| Lempertz | 🇩🇪 Germany | Contact for current rates | Contact directly | Mid-Range to High-End |
| Nagel Auktionen | 🇩🇪 Germany | Contact for current rates | Contact directly | Mid-Range to High-End |
| Quittenbaum Kunstauktionen | 🇩🇪 Germany | Approximately 25%–30% inclusive of VAT | Negotiated per consignment; contact for rates | Mid-Range |
| Saffronart | 🇮🇳 India | Approximately 20%–25%; confirm per sale | Negotiated per consignment; contact for rates | Mid-Range to Premium |
| Cambi | 🇮🇹 Italy | Buyer's premium applies; see conditions of sale | Competitive rates; negotiated per consignment | Mid-Range to High-End |
| Meeting Art | 🇮🇹 Italy | Buyer's premium applies; see conditions of sale | Competitive rates within the Italian market | Affordable to High-End |
| Pandolfini | 🇮🇹 Italy | Buyer's premium applies; see conditions of sale | Negotiated per consignment; favorable terms for significant collections | Mid-Range to High-End |
| Wannenes Art Auctions | 🇮🇹 Italy | 30% up to €3K, 25% to €2M, 22% above; category-specific rates for cars, wine, coins | Negotiated per consignment; contact for rates | Mid-Range to High-End |
| 33 Auction | 🇸🇬 Singapore | Approximately 20%–25%; confirm per sale | Negotiated per consignment; contact for rates | Mid-Range to High-End |
| Strauss & Co | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Approximately 12%–15% plus VAT | Negotiated per consignment; contact for rates | Mid-Range to High-End |
| Balclis | 🇪🇸 Spain | Buyer's premium applies; see sale conditions | Negotiated per consignment | Mid-Range to High-End |
| Setdart | 🇪🇸 Spain | Buyer's premium applies; see auction terms for current percentage | Competitive rates; varies by category and value | Affordable to High-End |
| Bukowskis | 🇸🇪 Sweden | Tiered premium; see conditions of sale for current rates | Negotiated per consignment | Mid-Range to High-End |
| Stockholms Auktionsverk | 🇸🇪 Sweden | Buyer's premium applies; see conditions of sale for current rates | Negotiated per consignment | Mid-Range to High-End |
| Antiquorum | 🇨🇭 Switzerland | Typically around 25% | Contact directly | Mid-Range to Ultra-Premium |
| David Feldman SA | 🇨🇭 Switzerland | Typically 22% (check individual sale terms) | Negotiated per consignment | Mid-Range to Ultra-Premium |
| Galerie Fischer | 🇨🇭 Switzerland | Private sales only since 2016; terms negotiated individually | Private sale and advisory fees by arrangement | Mid-Range to High-End |
| Koller Auctions | 🇨🇭 Switzerland | Buyer's premium applies plus Swiss VAT; 3% additional fee for live online bidding | Negotiated per consignment | Mid-Range to High-End |
| Bonhams | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | Typically 27.5% up to £12,500, 26% up to £600K, lower tiers above | Contact directly | Mid-Range to Ultra-Premium |
| Chiswick Auctions | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | Typically 25% plus VAT | Competitive rates; contact for details | Affordable to Mid-Range |
| Christie's | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | Typically 26% up to $1M, 20% on portion $1M–$6M, 14.5% above $6M | Negotiable; contact directly | High-End to Ultra-Premium |
| Dreweatts | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | Typically 26% + VAT | Contact directly | Accessible to High-End |
| Fellows | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | Typically 24% + VAT | Typically 12.5% + VAT | Accessible to High-End |
| Gorringes | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | Typically 22-25% plus VAT | Competitive rates; varies by consignment | Affordable to Mid-Range |
| Lyon & Turnbull | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | Typically 25% + VAT | Contact directly | Accessible to High-End |
| Mellors & Kirk | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | Typically 22-25% plus VAT | Competitive rates; varies by consignment | Affordable to Mid-Range |
| Phillips | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | Typically 26% up to $1M, 21% on portion $1M–$6M, 14.5% above $6M | Contact directly | High-End to Ultra-Premium |
| Propstore | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 26% of hammer price | Negotiated per consignment | Affordable to Ultra-Premium |
| Spink & Son | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | Varies by auction; stated in individual sale terms (typically 20%) | Contact relevant department for rates | Mid-Range to Ultra-Premium |
| Tennants Auctioneers | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | Typically 20-24% plus VAT | Competitive rates; varies by consignment value | Affordable to High-End |
| Toovey's | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | Typically 22-25% plus VAT | Competitive regional rates; contact for details | Affordable to Mid-Range |
| Watches of Knightsbridge | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | Typically 24% + VAT | Contact directly | Accessible to Mid-Range |
| Woolley and Wallis | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | Typically 25% + VAT | Contact directly | Accessible to High-End |
| Abell Auction Company | 🇺🇸 United States | 23-25% | Negotiated per consignment | Accessible to High-End |
| Brunk Auctions | 🇺🇸 United States | Typically 25% | Contact directly | Accessible to High-End |
| Clars Auction Gallery | 🇺🇸 United States | Tiered: approximately 25% on first portion | Negotiated per consignment | Accessible to High-End |
| Cottone Auctions | 🇺🇸 United States | 23-25% depending on bidding channel | Negotiated per consignment; complimentary estimates | Accessible to High-End |
| Cowan's Auctions | 🇺🇸 United States | Approximately 25% | Negotiated per consignment | Mid-Range to High-End |
| Doyle | 🇺🇸 United States | 26% on first $1M, 21% on $1M–$6M, 14.5% above $6M | Contact directly | Mid-Range to High-End |
| DuMouchelles | 🇺🇸 United States | 24-26% depending on bidding channel | Negotiated per consignment | Accessible to High-End |
| Eldred's | 🇺🇸 United States | Typically 25% | Contact directly | Accessible to High-End |
| Freeman's | Hindman | 🇺🇸 United States | Typically 25% up to $500K, tiered above | Contact directly | Mid-Range to High-End |
| Hake's Auctions | 🇺🇸 United States | Typically 20% of hammer price | Contact for consignment rates; free appraisals available | Affordable to Premium |
| Heritage Auctions | 🇺🇸 United States | 20% on most categories; 22% on some online-only sales | 0% seller commission on most consignments; 10% for Buy Now items | Accessible to Ultra-Premium |
| iGavel Auctions | 🇺🇸 United States | Approximately 20%–25%; varies by sale | Contact for rates; varies by consignment type | Accessible to High-End |
| John Moran Auctioneers | 🇺🇸 United States | Approximately 25% | Negotiated per consignment | Mid-Range to High-End |
| Julien's Auctions | 🇺🇸 United States | Typically 26% (check sale terms) | Negotiated per consignment; free evaluations available | Mid-Range to Ultra-Premium |
| Kaminski Auctions | 🇺🇸 United States | Approximately 25% in-house; higher for online platforms | Negotiated per consignment | Accessible to High-End |
| Leland Little Auctions | 🇺🇸 United States | Typically 24–25% | Contact directly | Accessible to High-End |
| Leslie Hindman Auctioneers | 🇺🇸 United States | Tiered: approximately 25-26% on first portion, stepping down | Negotiated per consignment | Mid-Range to High-End |
| Material Culture | 🇺🇸 United States | Approximately 25%; may be higher on some online platforms | Negotiated per consignment | Accessible to High-End |
| Morphy Auctions | 🇺🇸 United States | Typically 23-25% depending on bidding platform | Negotiated per consignment; free appraisals available | Affordable to Premium |
| Nate D. Sanders Auctions | 🇺🇸 United States | Typically 20% of hammer price | Contact for consignment rates | Affordable to Premium |
| Neal Auction Company | 🇺🇸 United States | Typically 25% | Contact directly | Accessible to High-End |
| New Orleans Auction Galleries | 🇺🇸 United States | Tiered: approximately 25% on first portion | Negotiated per consignment | Mid-Range to High-End |
| Pook & Pook | 🇺🇸 United States | Approximately 25% in-house; higher for online platforms | Negotiated per consignment | Mid-Range to High-End |
| Rago Arts and Auction | 🇺🇸 United States | Typically 25% | Contact directly | Mid-Range to High-End |
| Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries | 🇺🇸 United States | 18% of hammer price | Negotiated per consignment | Mid-Range to Ultra-Premium |
| RR Auction | 🇺🇸 United States | 25% of hammer price; additional 3% for credit/debit card payments | Competitive rates; contact for consignment evaluation | Affordable to Ultra-Premium |
| Shapiro Auctions | 🇺🇸 United States | Approximately 25% | Negotiated per consignment | Mid-Range to High-End |
| Skinner Auctioneers | 🇺🇸 United States | Tiered: 27.5% on first $12,500, 25% up to $600,000, lower above | Negotiated per consignment; contact department | Mid-Range to High-End |
| Sotheby's | 🇺🇸 United States | Typically 26% up to $1M, 20% on portion $1M–$6M, 14.5% above $6M | Negotiable; contact directly | High-End to Ultra-Premium |
| Stack's Bowers Galleries | 🇺🇸 United States | 20% of hammer price (minimum $25 per lot) | Negotiated per consignment; contact for rates | Mid-Range to Ultra-Premium |
| Stair Galleries | 🇺🇸 United States | Approximately 25% | Negotiated per consignment | Mid-Range to High-End |
| Swann Auction Galleries | 🇺🇸 United States | 25% up to $500K, 20% on $500K–$1M, 12.5% above $1M | Contact directly | Accessible to High-End |
| Wright | 🇺🇸 United States | Typically 25% | Contact directly | Mid-Range to High-End |
82 of 82 auction houses shown · Fee data is compiled from publicly available rate cards and may change — always confirm directly before consigning.
How Auction House Fees Work
Understanding the two sides of auction economics before you buy or sell.
The Buyer's Premium
The buyer's premium is a percentage added to the hammer price, paid by the winning bidder. If you win a lot at $10,000 with a 26% premium, you actually pay $12,600 (plus applicable taxes). This is the auction house's primary revenue source, and it is not negotiable.
Most major houses use a sliding scale: the premium percentage decreases as the price increases. Christie's, Sotheby's, and Phillips all charge around 26% on the first $1 million, dropping to roughly 14.5% above $6 million.
The Seller's Commission
Sellers (consignors) pay a commission deducted from the hammer price. Unlike the buyer's premium, this is highly negotiable — and for desirable consignments, major houses frequently reduce it to zero. They make their money from the buyer's premium, so winning your consignment matters more than charging you commission.
- Items under $5,000: expect to pay 10–25% seller's commission
- Items $5,000–$50,000: typically 5–15%, often negotiable
- Items over $50,000: frequently 0% — houses compete for these consignments
- Collections and estates: almost always negotiable as a package
Hidden Costs to Watch For
- Photography & cataloguing: $50–$300 per lot at some houses (often waived)
- Insurance: typically 1–1.5% of the hammer price
- Unsold lot ("buy-in") fees: around 5% of the reserve if your item doesn't sell
- Withdrawal fees: charged if you pull an item after cataloguing
- Shipping & handling: both to the auction house and to the buyer
How to Pay Less
Get consignment offers from at least two or three auction houses before committing — they know they're competing. Ask each house to waive photography and insurance fees, and to reduce the seller's commission. For items worth over $10,000, a 0% seller commission is a realistic target. Before negotiating, know what your item is worth: get a free AI valuation or browse our complete selling guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about auction house fees and costs.
A buyer's premium is a fee added on top of the hammer price (the winning bid), paid by the buyer to the auction house. At major houses like Christie's and Sotheby's it is typically 26% on the first $1 million, decreasing for higher amounts. Regional auction houses usually charge 20-25%. The buyer's premium is how auction houses earn most of their revenue.
Christie's charges sellers a negotiable commission (typically 10-15% of the hammer price, often waived for high-value consignments) plus possible fees for photography, insurance, and shipping. Buyers pay a premium of 26% up to $1 million, 20% on the portion from $1 million to $6 million, and 14.5% above $6 million.
Heritage Auctions offers 0% seller commission on most consignments, making it one of the most seller-friendly major houses. Regional auction houses generally charge lower buyer's premiums (20-25%) than the international houses (26-28%). The 'cheapest' option depends on whether you are buying or selling, and on your item's value.
Seller's commissions are almost always negotiable, especially for items expected to sell above $10,000 or for collections. Many houses will reduce or waive the seller's commission entirely to win a desirable consignment. Buyer's premiums, however, are fixed and non-negotiable.
Possibly. Many auction houses charge unsold lot fees (also called buy-in fees), typically 5% of the reserve price, plus photography and cataloguing costs. Always ask about unsold fees before consigning, and check whether the house charges withdrawal fees if you change your mind.
Beyond the seller's commission, watch for: photography and cataloguing fees ($50-$300 per lot), insurance (typically 1-1.5% of the hammer price), shipping and handling, withdrawal fees, and unsold lot fees. At major houses, many of these are negotiable or waived for valuable consignments.
Selling Something Valuable?
Know what your item is worth before negotiating with auction houses — then let us match you with the right one for free.