Business International business

Selling internationally on Etsy from Canada

Piyush Singh

29.11.23

Read time 3 minutes

Etsy is a great platform for international e-commerce, with the US and the UK leading the number of app downloads.² You’ve probably decided to expand your business on Etsy and are excited to get customers from all over the world. You might also be wondering how you can sell internationally when you’re based in Canada. In this article, we will take a look at the process, the fees, and how you can save money using Wise, while growing your business beyond borders.

How to sell internationally on Etsy from Canada

The steps on how to sell internationally on Etsy are really simple¹ and straightforward.

Click on Get Started
Choose your shop language, country, and currency
Name your shop
Create a listing and add up to 10 photos
Add a video to your listing
Add listing details
Choose domestic & global pricing
Add the inventory
Include variations or personalization options
Choose delivery options, countries, and costs
Add your customs information
Include the weight of the item
Create a return and exchange policy
Set up your preferred payment method
Set up your billing
Open your shop
Start selling!

What are Etsy’s fees for selling internationally from Canada

Now it’s important as a Canadian you understand the fees associated with selling internationally. While the thought of a USD sale may be exciting, you could end up losing money if you don’t know the fees involved in the transaction. Here is what you pay in Etsy:

Listing fees^*	0.27 CAD³
Transaction fee	6.5% commission³ 4% + CA$ 0.25 payment processing fee⁴
Offsite Ads Fee^**	15%³
Currency conversion fee	2.5%³
Etsy Plus Subscription^***	10 USD/month⁵
Pattern website tool^***	15 USD/month⁵

*Listing fees are billed for 0.20 USD³, so the amount in CAD may vary. Payment processing fees vary by bank country.

**Offsite ads are optional for most sellers but may be required based on how much you make in sales in a 12-month period.

***optional - not mandatory for sellers unless opted

Save on currency conversion fees: Receive payments with Wise

As a Canadian business owner, you would want to make the most of your revenue and not lose money to currency conversion or other fees. If you want to save on conversion costs there is a little-known trick.

With a Wise business account, you can use account details to send/receive money in USD, EUR, GBP and other currencies. These account details help you receive payments, pay your suppliers and any occurring refunds in the local currency, thereby helping you avoid unnecessary fees at the exchange rate you’ll usually find on Google - the mid market rate!

Here’s how you can set up Wise’s account details in multiple currencies: :

Set up your Etsy account
Go to Shop Manager
Select finances and payment settings
Choose USA^* or any other of the 40 countries Wise offers currency in
Enter your account details as provided by Wise
Get paid from Etsy directly to your Wise account

*If you select USD Etsy may send 1-2 microdeposits to your Wise account to verify your ownership of the account. This can take 3-7 days to arrive and you’ll need to go to Etsy to confirm the amounts received. [Learn more](https://wise.com/help/articles/1T5VJXy3aUX3HesEdMqSGe/how-do-i-receive-money-from-etsy-with-wise).

This is how Wise helps you save on currency conversion thanks to the mid market exchange rate, along with a transparent fee structure.

Please see the [Terms of Use](https://wise.com/en/legal/terms-and-conditions) for your region.

Understanding Etsy’s taxes for Canadian business owners

If you sell on Etsy you need to include the taxes in your listing prices. The only exception is if Etsy is legally required to collect taxes on your behalf. As of July 1, 2022, Etsy began collecting GST/HST on orders placed by shoppers in Canada. This is automatically included when your customer goes to the checkout step of their purchasing.

Once you’ve reached CA$ 30,000 in sales you must register for a Canadian tax ID and collect GST/HST. These taxes are then sent to the Canada Revenue Agency. It is always recommended to consult an accountant or a legal advisor for tax related queries.

If you live in Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, or British Columbia, these provinces have their own tax rules. Please contact your tax and legal advisor on what’s best for you.

There are a lot of different scenarios where Etsy will collect taxes from Canadian buyers. We have added a comprehensive list of all the possible taxes you might have to pay, in the sources.⁷

Managing After Sales Services on Etsy

You’ve made your sale. Congratulations! It’s important as a business owner you know how to navigate any potential returns, cancellations, or refunds from your customers.

If your customers bought in USD from your Canadian store you have to refund in USD. With Wise, this process involves only a few clicks. Since you can have an account with Wise in the same currency you won’t pay extra fees. This leaves more money for your business to grow!

Sources:

Sources verified on: 29 November 2023

*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.

We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.