Business

Etsy international shipping: Options & how to get started

Panna Kemenes

03.05.23 (updated more than 1 year ago)

Read time 7 minutes

Etsy is one of the largest online selling platforms, especially for arts, crafts and vintage products. In 2021, there were already more than 96 million active buyers on Etsy globally.¹

Etsy gives you access to a global pool of customers, providing an opportunity to grow your business.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to navigate international shipping with Etsy, with some tips along the way.

Receive international payments from Etsy
with Wise Business

Does Etsy do international shipping?

Yes - Etsy international shipping supports shipment to 83 countries.²

Etsy international shipping opens your products to a global market.

One key element to becoming a successful international Etsy seller is having a reliable shipping partner.

Read on to find:
Etsy international shipping methods International shipping times on Etsy Etsy shipping labels How to set up international shipping on Etsy Etsy international shipping tips: Turn off international shipping on Etsy Conclusion

What are Etsy international shipping methods?

Here are the three Etsy international shipping methods.

Shipping method	Maximum weight	Delivery time	Cost
USPS Priority Mail International	70lbs	6-10 days	Based on dimensions, shape, weight and location, or a flat rate
USPS First Class International Package Service	4lbs	Dependent on the country of destination	Based on location and weight
USPS Priority Mail Express International	70lbs	3-5 days	A flat rate, or based on location and weight³

Let’s take a look at each shipping option.

USPS Priority Mail Express International

If speed is your goal, then USPS Priority Mail Express International shipping can be a good choice.

Your parcels will be delivered within 3-5 days using this method. There’s a maximum weight limit of 70lbs and no maximum cap on the parcel’s value. Weight and size limits can differ by country, so be sure to check that in advance.⁴

With USPS Priority Mail Express International shipping, your parcels are insured by USPS to $200. You can purchase extra insurance up to $5,000 from Shipsurance Parcel Insurance Services.⁴

You can track all parcels shipped with this method, receiving delivery confirmation. This service is already included in the postage price.⁴

USPS Priority Mail International

Where speed of arrival is not an absolute necessity, USPS Priority Mail International is a good shipping option.

For some types of parcel, there’s a maximum weight of 4lbs and maximum content value of $400. These are:
USPS Flat Rate Envelopes USPS Flat Rate Legal Envelopes USPS Flat Rate Padded Envelopes USPS Flat Rate Small Envelopes USPS Flat Rate Small Boxes⁵

For USPS Flat Rate Medium and Large Boxes, the maximum weight is 20lbs with unlimited content value.⁵

For all other parcel types, the maximum weight is 70lbs and maximum content value is uncapped. Again, weight and size limits can also vary by country.⁵

This shipping method also includes tracking and delivery confirmation.

It should be noted that the following countries have suspended delivery confirmation:

Brazil
Denmark
France
Gibraltar
Italy
Luxembourg
Portugal⁵

Parcels can again be insured up to $5,000 using Shipsurance Parcel Insurance Services.

USPS First Class International Package Service

The USPS First Class International Package Service is an affordable option for lightweight packages that aren’t in a rush.

The maximum weight is 4lbs and maximum content value $400.⁶

Packages can be insured up to $5,000 via Shipsurance Parcel Insurance Services.

Delivery confirmation is also included in the price. But, it’s unavailable in the same countries as USPS Priority Mail International shipping is.

The time of delivery varies by the country of destination.⁶

Etsy international shipping methods

How long does international shipping take on Etsy?

How long international shipping takes with Etsy depends on a range of factors.

Your shipping method determines the time of delivery:

Shipping method	Estimated time
Priority Mail Express International	Between 3-5 days
Priority Mail International	Between 6-10 days
First Class International Package Service	Dependent on the country of destination

Customs forms, rules and regulations can also determine the shipping time. If products aren’t correctly labelled, or don’t meet certain requirements, this will cause delays.

You can use the USPS website to find out country specific restrictions before shipping your parcel.

Your processing time as a seller also affects the shipping time. The processing time is the amount of time needed to create your product and get it ready for posting. You can specify processing times on your product listing so that customers know in advance what to expect. This can be especially useful for customized products that take longer to create.

What countries can you use Etsy shipping labels?

You can request Etsy international shipping labels for your parcels. You’ll need to meet two requirements.

First, you need to offer either PayPal or Etsy Payments as a payment method. And second, you need to be based in the US, UK, Australia or India.⁷

If you’re not in one of these countries, then you won’t be able to buy Etsy international shipping labels.

How to set up international shipping on Etsy

Let’s now take a look at how to add international shipping on Etsy.

Measure and weigh your product. This is the first step in how to add international shipping on Etsy. Once you’ve weighed and measured it, you can then decide on the most suitable shipping method
Calculate the costs of shipping. With your product weight and dimensions in mind, you can calculate the costs of your shipping method. You need to find out how your profit margin is affected by the cost of shipping and if it’s still viable.

For US based sellers, you can take advantage of the Etsy shipping calculator to assess the costs of international shipping. The calculator enables you to plan for future expenses and set prices competitively. It does this by taking tax and other fees into account
Specify the destination and shipping rates for each of your listings. Etsy sellers need to specify the exact rates for each destination they ship to.

To do this, go to “Shipping” and then “Enter custom shipping options”. Then select “I’ll enter fixed prices manually”. Here you can set country specific shipping rates. In the shipping section, select “Add another location” to enter a country of destination⁸
Translate your product listings. You can translate your product listings for the countries you want to sell to. There are two ways of doing this on Etsy. Either using manual or automatic translation. Manual translation allows you complete control over the translation process.

This means you can control the tone as well as ensure accuracy, if you have a good command of the language. Automatic translation, in contrast, automates the translation process. This can lead to inaccuracy, although it’s the quicker and more convenient option⁹
Inform your customers about tax and customs fees. Buyers on Etsy are usually willing to pay the shipping costs for your products. But they should know about all the costs involved upfront.

Unexpected customs and tax fees could put your customers off buying from you again, hurting your reputation as a seller. For example, VAT is sometimes added to the buyer’s cost when shipping to Europe. So it’s important as a seller to make these extra fees clear before the sale is made
Find an international shipping company for your products. From DHL and FedEx, to USPS and Global Postal Shipping, there are a range of trusted international shipping companies to choose from. Partnering with the right shipping company makes international shipping on Etsy a stress-free process
Ship your products. The hard part is over, and now you can begin international shipping on Etsy. Make sure your products are packaged correctly to ensure they arrive in perfect condition

Etsy products packaged for shipping

Top Etsy international shipping tips:

Navigating the Etsy international shipping process can be a challenge.

Here are a few tips to make the process smoother:

Ensure your customer’s address is correct. This prevents long waiting times and customer dissatisfaction
Integrate Etsy with LitCommerce. LitCommerce supports multi-channel selling, integrating Etsy with your main store.¹⁰ For example, if your main store is with Shopify, you can use LitCommerce to connect it with Etsy. This automates the sales process. A sale on Etsy will be redirected to Shopify.

Your store on Shopify will then complete the order fulfillment process. Your customer will be able to get live updates about their order’s shipping status, with tracking and delivery confirmation. This makes your operations smoother and customers happier
Translate your products to grow your audience. As already explained, you can translate your listings either manually or automatically. Translation can help you target new audiences and markets, growing your business.

You can check the default language of your product listings and add other languages. From here, you can go about manually translating your listing. Any manual translations will override automatic ones. You can go to “Shop Manager”, then “Settings”, then “Options”, and disable “Automatic Listing Translation”⁹

How to turn off international shipping on Etsy

If you decide not to continue with international shipping on Etsy, it’s easy to turn off.

On your product listings, you can remove the “Everywhere else” line or delete all the countries you’ve added.¹¹

Doing this will allow you to continue shipping domestically, while avoiding international orders.

Conclusion: Take your store to the next level with Etsy international shipping

Etsy international shipping opens your business to a global market of buyers.

Key to becoming a successful international seller with Etsy is partnering with a reliable shipping company. Delivering your products free of hidden costs or delays is crucial for customer satisfaction and your success.

Understanding and complying with customs tax and country-specific regulations is also important. Failure to meet parcel requirements or file specific tax forms can result in failure to deliver your product. This will damage your reputation as a seller.

When using Etsy international shipping, you may decide to change your listing currency (the currency that your products are listed as). However, Etsy operates in USD. So if you sell on the platform using a different currency than your Shop currency, Etsy will convert the money using a conversion fee.

Since Etsy operates in USD, you can select USD as your Shop currency to save money on conversion fees when withdrawing money from Etsy to your Wise Business USD account.

You can use Wise Business to convert the money to your preferred currency and withdraw to your local bank account.

Receive international payments with ease
Discover Wise Business

Wise is a smart online alternative to traditional banks. With a Wise Business account, you can avoid high cross border fees. You can access local account details for up to 10 currencies, allowing you to receive like a local.

And if you do convert your money, you’ll have access to the real, mid-market exchange rate, making your money go further.

Sources:

All sources checked May 3, 2023.

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