Please read this page with care, as it explains the dos and don'ts, the ins
and outs, the ups and downs (and everything in between) of being a member of
the Etsy community. These policies only apply to Etsy.com; alas, we do not
control the universe, or even the rest of the Internet. If you still have
questions after reading these policies, please check out our
Help section or feel free to
contact us.
We expect all members of Etsy (including
Etsy's staff) to
treat each other with respect and kindness. Remember that behind every
username is a real person with feelings. Your username on Etsy is your
identity. You are responsible for your conduct and all content submitted
under your username on Etsy.
By joining Etsy, you agree to abide by the policies outlined here and
in our Terms of Use.
Usernames cannot be changed except in the event of documented legal
action (such as trademark infringement) at Etsy's discretion. Choose
your username carefully.
You may not use the word "Etsy" in your username without
permission.
You must be at least 18 years of age to hold an account on Etsy.
If you are under 18, you must have the permission and supervision of
a parent or legal guardian who is at least 18 years of age; that
adult is responsible for the account.
If you are under the age of 18, you may not utilize the
community features
on Etsy (for example: Forums, Chat Rooms, Virtual Labs), unless otherwise specified
by Etsy. When using Etsy, those under 18 must, at all times, have the permission
and supervision of a parent or legal guardian who is at least 18 years of age.
You may not use mature, profane or racist language or images in your
username, avatar and/or Public Profile.
You may not use the public areas of your account to demonstrate or
discuss disputes with others or with Etsy.
You may not transfer ownership or sell your Etsy account to another party.
You may not use Etsy to direct shoppers to another online selling venue to purchase
the same items as listed in your Etsy shop, as this may constitute fee
avoidance. This includes posting links/URLs or providing information
sufficient to locate the other online venue(s).
An Etsy account may not be used for the purpose of redirecting traffic
to another web location. This includes shops in
Vacation Mode.
Please contact Support to
have your account closed if you are no longer using it.
Keep your account information updated and accurate. Your account must
have a valid email address at all times. Etsy will use the email address
on file in your account information to contact you when necessary.
Etsy encourages all members to resolve their own disputes. As a venue,
Etsy cannot mediate disputes between members or other parties.
Members who do not comply with Etsy's policies may be subject to review,
which can result in suspension of account privileges and/or termination.
This includes all of your accounts by virtue of association. In other words,
Etsy reserves the right to suspend the use of the site for a person and all
username(s) he/she operates under. Suspended or terminated members remain
obligated to pay Etsy for all unpaid fees per our
Terms of Use.
Having more than one account ("multiple accounts" or "alternate accounts") is
not something Etsy encourages, as it has the potential to cause confusion.
Keep in mind that information and accounts cannot be merged in any way, so
if you change your mind later, you will not be able to transfer information
(for example: listings, feedback, Favorites or purchase history) from one
account to another.
All of your usernames must be clearly disclosed in the
Public Profile
for each account. A statement such as, "I am also on Etsy under these
usernames..." would be acceptable. This includes all buying and selling
accounts, as well as any collective accounts in which you are involved.
You may not use an alternate account to purchase items from yourself.
This is called "shilling."
You may not list the same unique item in more than one shop on Etsy.
Etsy will not issue refunds for accidental activity stemming from multiple
account ownership (for example: listing items in the wrong shop). Members
who do not comply with Etsy's policies may be subject to review, which can
result in suspension of account privileges and/or termination. This includes
all of your accounts by virtue of association. In other words, Etsy reserves
the right to suspend the use of the site for a person and all username(s)
he/she operates under. Suspended or terminated members remain obligated to
pay Etsy for all unpaid fees per our Terms of Use.
Multiple people using a single account (collective shops)
An account that involves more than one person is called a collective. There
are three scenarios, outlined below, in which multiple people who know each
other may use a single Etsy account.
Collaboration: Artisans combine their skills to make and
list handmade products in an Etsy shop. For example:
One artist screen prints fabric, then another artist sews clothing from
the fabric. The finished product is listed in a collective Etsy shop.
Sharing a Shop: Multiple people who know each other use a
single Etsy account to post their own separate items in one shared shop. For example:
Two jewelers share a collective Etsy shop, but they create and list
their own jewelry items in the shop.
Friends, a painter and a furniture maker, share a collective Etsy
shop to sell their work together.
Vintage sellers share a shop to sell their vintage finds together.
Shop Management Help: Someone helps a friend or family
member in the same household or shared physical space manage their Etsy account. For example:
A person helps a friend or family member list or ship an item. The item
is listed in their collective Etsy shop.
With permission and supervision of a parent or legal guardian who is at
least 18 years of age, a minor and an adult have an Etsy shop together.
Per Etsy's Membership policies, the adult is
responsible for the account.
If your shop is a collective, you must comply with all of Etsy's policies,
including these additional policies specifically for collectives:
A collective may not be an entity that represents multiple artists by
contract (for example: a gallery, a consignment shop, an art agency/dealer).
Because of the laws concerning charitable fundraising, a charitable
collective shop must comply with Etsy's Charitable
listings and shops policies.
The Public Profile
page for the account must fully disclose accurate information about each
person, their role in the Etsy shop and the relationships between the
members of the collective. Etsy may ask for additional information and
require that the shop comply with additional requirements.
The individual who registers the account is responsible for all
activities of the account, the bill and any transactions. This includes
participation in community features
of the site.
All standard listing policies (see Shops and Listings)
apply to collective Etsy shops. All handmade items must be created by
members of the collective.
Members who do not comply with Etsy's policies may be subject to review,
which can result in suspension of account privileges and/or termination.
Suspended or terminated members remain obligated to pay Etsy for all unpaid
fees per our Terms of Use.
If any of Etsy's policies are violated by a member of a collective, all
accounts registered to members of the collective are subject to suspension
of privileges and/or account termination. Etsy will not mediate disputes
between individuals within a collective.
Conversations
(also called "Convos") are your way to communicate privately with other Etsy
members. Think of it like email just for Etsy. Conversations are primarily
intended for communicating about transactions. Members may also use
Conversations to build friendly relationships with one another, seek advice
or discuss Etsy Team
activities. Please use common sense when giving out personal information
to others via Conversations.
You must not use Conversations to send unsolicited advertising or
promotions, requests for donations or "spam."
If someone hearts your shop/item to mark it as a
Favorite,
that is not an invitation to send a Conversation to that person.
You must not use Conversations to knowingly harass or abuse another member.
If someone explicitly tells you not to contact them, you must not use
Conversations to contact them again, unless involved in an open transaction.
You must not use Conversations to interfere with a transaction.
You must not contact another member to buy or sell an item listed on
Etsy outside of Etsy's marketplace. This may also constitute fee avoidance.
You must not communicate with a member involved in an active or
completed transaction to warn the member away from a particular
buyer, seller or item.
Sending too many messages too quickly may auto-disable your Conversations.
You must contact Support to
have your ability to send Conversations reinstated. Misuse of Conversations
may result in suspension of account privileges and/or termination of your
Etsy account(s). Suspended or terminated members remain obligated to pay
Etsy for all unpaid fees per our
Terms of Use.
Etsy is a venue,
not a retailer; Etsy's role is to connect the buyer and the seller. This
means when you place an order on Etsy, you are entering into a direct
transaction and personal relationship with an individual seller (facilitated
by Etsy). We encourage the two parties to independently work through the
transaction to completion.
A transaction is created when a buyer completes Etsy's checkout process. An
Alchemy transaction is created when the buyer accepts a bid and the seller
confirms the bid. The seller and buyer will receive email notification from
Etsy with information about the transaction and an invoice record in Your
Etsy. An Etsy transaction is completed when the buyer pays and the seller
ships the item. Payment is submitted directly to the seller via a method
specified in the item listing or seller's
Shop Policies (for example: PayPal, personal check, etc).
Communication is the key to a smooth transaction. All buyer questions
regarding transactions, including payment arrangements and cancellations,
should be directed to the seller. Etsy recommends that members use Etsy
Conversations
and email to correspond. Etsy encourages all sellers to consider
customer service best practices and keep records
regarding proof of shipping (for example: delivery confirmation, shipping
service receipt, customs form).
In certain circumstances, a seller may cancel an invalid or void transaction
(see Transaction cancellation) or
refuse service to a buyer (see Refusing
service). A seller may post important information in their
Shop Announcement,
Shop Policies,
Public Profile
or listing description to better inform buyers. A seller's individual
policies for shipping, returns/exchanges and refunds posted in the seller's
Shop Policies must comply with Etsy's site-wide policies. Please note: other
services involved in completing a transaction (for example: PayPal.com,
shipping services) may have different policies regarding transactions.
Transaction policies for the seller:
The seller must sell the item(s) to the buyer with whom the transaction is
created, unless the transaction is eligible for cancellation (see
Transaction cancellation).
The seller must ship the item(s) within a reasonable amount of time,
according to the transaction agreement or the terms in the seller's Shop Policies.
The seller must ship the item(s) to the shipping address submitted by the
buyer. The seller should communicate with the buyer if shipping information
is unclear or inconsistent.
In the event of a dispute, the seller may be asked to provide Etsy with
proof of shipping. Etsy will not hold the seller responsible for postal or
shipping service delays or errors, theft or customs delays.
Transaction policies for the buyer:
The buyer must pay the seller directly. Do not send payment to Etsy.
The buyer must pay at the time the transaction is created, according to
transaction agreement or the terms in the seller's Shop Policies.
The buyer must submit valid shipping, billing and payment information to
the seller, according to transaction agreement or the terms in the
seller's Shop Policies.
In the event of a dispute concerning the return of the item(s) to a seller,
the buyer may be asked to provide Etsy with proof of shipping back to the
seller. Etsy will not hold the buyer responsible for postal or shipping
service delays or errors, theft or customs delays when returning items to
the seller.
Members who do not comply with Etsy's policies may be subject to review,
which can result in suspension of account privileges and/or termination.
Suspended or terminated members remain obligated to pay Etsy for all unpaid
fees per our Terms of Use.
Alchemy is a
space on Etsy where a member can post a request for a custom handmade item
and sellers submit bids to create the item. All Etsy transaction policies
apply to Alchemy, plus a few special policies as noted below. You can also
request custom items directly from a specific seller on Etsy.
Alchemy is for requesting specific custom handmade items only. Do not
use Alchemy to request commercial supplies, vintage items, services,
item trades, free items (such as charitable donations) or non-specific
requests for a general type of item.
An Alchemy transaction is a sales agreement; you must follow through
with all the steps of the Alchemy process and on the terms of the
agreement just like any other Etsy transaction (see Transactions).
Once a transaction has been initiated via Alchemy, you must complete
the sale on Etsy. Moving the transaction off-Etsy is considered fee avoidance.
Alchemy is not a classified ad space. Do not create requests for items
or services unrelated to Etsy (for example: employment opportunities,
room rentals, free puppies, personals).
Don't use Alchemy to request pornography, knockoffs, illegal items or
anything that would otherwise violate Etsy's policies.
Don't use Alchemy to request that a seller produce a duplicate of
another maker's work.
You must obtain permission from Etsy prior to creating items that use
Etsy's marks (for example: name, logo). Please refer to Etsy's
Trademark
Guidelines for more information.
If an Alchemy request is in violation of site policy, Etsy may ask you to
modify the request or we may delete it entirely. Transaction disputes
stemming from Alchemy (for example: canceled transactions, non-payment,
non-delivery, feedback issues) will be handled as regular Etsy
transactions. Members who do not comply with
Etsy's policies may be subject to review, which can result in suspension of
account privileges. Suspended or terminated members remain obligated to pay
Etsy for all unpaid fees per our Terms of Use.
We hope that your shopping experience on Etsy is smooth and hassle-free. In
the event of a transaction dispute, Etsy encourages the buyer and seller to
resolve the situation through Etsy Conversations, email and by submitting fair, honest
feedback (see Feedback). The policies below describe
various types of transaction disputes and the roles of the seller, the buyer
and Etsy in each scenario.
Non-payment occurs when a buyer does not or cannot complete payment after a
transaction has been created. The seller may invoice the buyer in an attempt
to collect payment before shipping. Etsy encourages sellers to offer buyers
fair, honest feedback (see Feedback). Sellers are
also encouraged to consider customer service best practices.
The buyer must pay at the time the transaction is created, according to
the transaction agreement or according to the terms in the seller's Shop Policies.
The seller may cancel a transaction for non-payment when applicable (see
Transaction cancellation).
Etsy relies on sellers to submit fair, honest feedback for buyers in
non-payment circumstances. Members with a low overall feedback score may be
subject to review, which can result in suspension of account privileges
and/or termination. Suspended or terminated members remain obligated to pay
Etsy for all unpaid fees per our Terms of Use.
Non-delivery occurs when a seller does not or cannot ship an item after a
transaction has been created and the buyer has sent payment to the seller.
The buyer may file a non-delivery report with Etsy against the seller. When
a non-delivery report is filed, both the buyer and the seller receive a
notice from Etsy about the report so they can work out the issue. Etsy
encourages all sellers to keep records regarding proof of shipping (for
example: delivery confirmation, shipping service receipt, customs form).
Etsy relies on buyers to submit fair, honest feedback (see
Feedback) for sellers in non-delivery circumstances.
Please note: a buyer who paid a seller via PayPal may have a limited time
frame in which to file a claim for refund of purchase under PayPal's policies.
The seller must ship goods within a reasonable amount of time, according
to transaction agreement or according to the terms in the seller's Shop Policies.
The seller must respond to a non-delivery report by contacting Etsy. A
non-delivery report cannot be closed until the seller
contacts Etsy.
The seller may be asked to provide Etsy with proof of shipping in the
event of a dispute.
A seller who fails to ship an item, respond to a non-delivery report or
settle a disputed transaction in a reasonable manner may be suspended.
Members who do not comply with Etsy's policies may be subject to review,
which can result in suspension of account privileges and/or termination.
Suspended or terminated members remain obligated to pay Etsy for all unpaid
fees per our Terms of Use.
Etsy encourages sellers to engage in clear and consistent communication,
consider
customer service best practices and honor transaction agreements.
However, if a seller cannot compete a transaction due to an
extraordinary circumstance, then the seller may refuse service to the buyer.
The seller must notify the buyer of refusal of service through email or
Etsy Conversations.
The seller can only refuse service prior to shipping.
If the buyer has already paid, then the seller must refund the buyer
(price paid for item plus shipping).
Unless otherwise agreed or according to the seller's terms, a seller's
refusal of service to a specific buyer is indefinite within that seller's Etsy shop.
Members who abuse the privilege to refuse service may be subject to review,
which can result in suspension of account privileges and/or termination.
Suspended or terminated members remain obligated to pay Etsy for all unpaid
fees per our Terms of Use.
A buyer may not be completely satisfied with a purchase or transaction
experience. Etsy recommends that the buyer communicate with the seller by
Etsy Conversations or email to resolve the matter. Etsy encourages buyers to
submit fair, honest feedback (see Feedback). Sellers
are encouraged to consider
customer
service best practices.
The seller must accurately describe the item in the listing (see
Shops and Listings).
The seller must comply with the transaction agreement or according to
the terms in the seller's Shop Policies.
In the event the buyer receives a product that is significantly different
from the original listing, the buyer may contact Etsy Support to report the
item not as described. Etsy relies on buyers to submit fair, honest feedback
for sellers in circumstances when the buyer is dissatisfied with an item or
the seller's customer service. Members who do not comply with Etsy's
policies may be subject to review, which can result in suspension of account
privileges and/or termination. Suspended or terminated members remain
obligated to pay Etsy for all unpaid fees per our
Terms of Use.
To ensure the integrity of Etsy's marketplace and help protect members from
potentially fraudulent activity, transaction interference is not allowed on
Etsy. The following circumstances are considered transaction interference:
You may not contact another member to buy or sell an item listed on Etsy
outside of Etsy's marketplace. This may also constitute fee avoidance.
You may not communicate (for example: by Etsy
Conversations,
in Etsy's community spaces) with a member involved in
an active or completed transaction to warn the member away from
a particular buyer, seller or item.
Members who do not comply with Etsy's policies may be subject to review,
which can result in suspension of account privileges and/or termination.
Suspended or terminated members remain obligated to pay Etsy for all unpaid
fees per our Terms of Use.
Etsy charges fees to sellers for use of Etsy's services. Sellers agree to
complete valid transactions and pay Etsy fees in full monthly. On occasion,
a seller may need to cancel an invalid or void transaction. When applicable,
Etsy will issue a refund to the seller for the applicable fees and remove
the transaction from Etsy. Only the seller in a transaction may cancel the
transaction. The buyer should contact the seller by Etsy Conversations or
email to request cancellation of a transaction. The buyer may
contact Support
if the seller does not respond to a request to cancel a transaction.
The seller may not cancel a transaction for the purpose of avoiding
fees or feedback.
The seller may cancel an invalid or void transaction, as defined by
these circumstances:
The buyer did not pay (see Non-payment)
at the time the transaction was created, according to the
transaction agreement or according to the terms in the seller's
Shop Policies.
Both the buyer and seller agree to cancel the transaction prior to
shipment. If the buyer has already paid, the seller has refunded
buyer (price paid for item plus shipping).
The seller has refused service to the buyer (see
Refusing service). If
the buyer has already paid, the seller has refunded the buyer (price
paid for item plus shipping).
The buyer paid for the item(s). Although the seller shipped the
item(s), the buyer did not receive the item(s). The seller has
refunded the buyer (price paid for item at minimum).
Members who abuse the privilege to cancel transactions may be subject to
review, which can result in suspension of account privileges and/or
termination. Suspended or terminated members remain obligated to pay Etsy
for all unpaid fees per our Terms of Use.
Feedback is a way to establish a reputation of trust for buyers, sellers and
the Etsy marketplace. For every transaction, the buyer and seller have the
opportunity to submit a rating (positive, neutral or negative), an optional
comment and an optional Customer Appreciation Photo. Both buyer and seller
have the opportunity to submit feedback for up to 120 days after the date of
the transaction or until the transaction is canceled by the seller (for void
or invalid transactions). Consistency, fairness and honesty are critical to
the integrity of the feedback system. Feedback directly affects a member's
reputation, so we ask that members take it seriously.
Positive-rated feedback (including the optional comment and Customer
Appreciation Photo) cannot be edited or removed after submission except
in the circumstances noted in Etsy's Feedback policies.
Negative- or neutral-rated feedback may be changed to a positive rating
when both parties agree using the
Kiss and Make Up feature.
Kiss and Make Up is not available for canceled transactions. Negative or
neutral feedback for a canceled transaction may be removed if the author
of the feedback contacts Etsy Support.
After 120 days the option to leave feedback expires; this option cannot
be reinstated.
The option to leave feedback for a canceled transaction cannot be reinstated.
Feedback ratings, comments or images removed by Etsy cannot be
reinstated or resubmitted.
Members may ask Etsy to review feedback for removal.
Contact Support
to request a feedback review. Etsy does not investigate the validity of
opinions or statements made in feedback or mediate feedback disputes. At
Etsy's discretion and without notice to both parties involved, feedback may
be removed or altered by Etsy in the following circumstances:
The member who submitted a negative or neutral feedback rating requests
removal when Kiss and Make Up is not available.
Personally identifying or private information was published (for example:
a phone number, real name, email address, physical address, content of
a private Etsy Conversation, details regarding an Etsy investigation).
Feedback contains mature, profane or racist language and/or images.
Feedback contains spam, links, scripts or advertising.
Shilling is evident (fraudulent inflation of feedback rating by use of
an alternate account).
Feedback is given for a transaction created for the sole purpose of
leaving feedback.
Negative or neutral feedback was mistakenly submitted for a different transaction.
Negative or neutral feedback refers to an unrelated transaction.
Positive feedback obtained using the
Kiss and Make Up feature contains negative comments or images.
Negative or neutral feedback comments about using Etsy or other services
(for example: payment processors).
A member is confused about how to use the Feedback system, resulting in
unintended negative or neutral feedback.
Etsy is provided with a valid court order requesting removal of feedback.
Members with low overall feedback scores or members who have violated the
above policies for feedback may be subject to review, which can result in
suspension of account privileges and/or termination. Suspended or terminated
members remain obligated to pay Etsy for all unpaid fees per our
Terms of Use.
Etsy provides a marketplace for crafters, artists and collectors to sell
their handmade creations, vintage goods and crafting supplies. Most shops
belong to individuals, but a small group can run an Etsy shop as a
collective
(see Membership).
We encourage all sellers to provide information about yourself and/or your
craft in your Public
Profile. Shoppers will likely be interested in this information, as
they are often here specifically to buy handmade items directly from the
creator. You should explain your shop's policies regarding shipping,
payments, refunds and exchanges on the
Shop Policies page. You may use this space to provide additional shop policy information.
Please keep the following things in mind as you set up your shop and create listings:
An individual shop's policies must abide by Etsy's site-wide policies.
Etsy reserves the right to request that a seller provide policy
information or require a seller to modify unreasonable policies at
Etsy's discretion.
Do not make illegal use of photographs or written text. This is in
violation of our Terms of Use.
Use of mature, profane and/or racist language or
images in the public areas of your Etsy shop is not permitted. This
includes your username, Public Profile, item titles, tags, avatar, banner,
Shop Announcement
and/or shop sections.
You may not set a minimum purchase amount requirement in your shop.
You must pay your Etsy bill on time to avoid penalties, including but
not limited to: suspension of listing privileges and/or account
termination. Learn more about billing in the
How
Billing Works Help Guide.
You may not engage in any activity to avoid Etsy's
fees
("fee avoidance"). This includes but is not limited to: completing a
transaction off-Etsy once it has been initiated on the site, listing an
item below its intended purchase price or canceling a valid completed
transaction.
Members who do not comply with Etsy's policies may be subject to review,
which can result in suspension of account privileges and/or termination.
Suspended or terminated members remain obligated to pay Etsy for all unpaid
fees per our Terms of Use.
All listings on Etsy should be clear, accurate and detailed. Accurate titles,
tags, photos and descriptions are critical to selling on Etsy. Check out the
Listing
an Item Help Guide for more information on how to list your items. Keep
these policies in mind as you list and describe your items:
Listing descriptions and photos must accurately describe the item for
sale so buyers know what is included in the purchase.
Each listing must be available for purchase.
You may not create a listing for an item that is not for sale or sold out.
A listing may not be created for the sole purpose of sharing
photographs or other information with the community.
A listing may not be created solely as an advertisement. This
includes notices of sales or promotions in your shop. Such
information may be included in your
Public
Profile, avatar, banner,
Shop Announcement
and/or item descriptions.
Items must not be listed as available for rental or lease.
Listing prices must be reasonable.
You may price an item how you choose; however, a listing should not
be created with an inaccurate price in order to keep it from selling.
The shipping cost must be reasonable for the item.
Each unique item must have its own listing. You may group items as a set
into a single listing if the items are being sold and shipped together.
If you wish to offer options for the item (for example: a t-shirt
available in various sizes), please refer to the policies for
Custom orders.
You may not edit a listing's information to change it to an entirely
different item; this is considered fee avoidance.
All listings on Etsy must be for a tangible object. (Note: a digital
file is considered a tangible object.)
You may not use Etsy to direct shoppers to another online selling venue to
purchase the same items as listed in your Etsy shop, as this may
constitute fee avoidance. This includes posting links/URLs or providing
information sufficient to locate the other online venue(s).
A listing must not be conditional upon the purchase of another listing
in your shop (for example: saying "this item may only be purchased along
with another item in my shop" is not allowed). This includes listings
for item upgrades, shipping upgrades and gift wrapping upgrades.
A free with purchase item may not be listed as a separate listing
conditional upon the purchase of another item in your shop.
The title and tags must not mention or describe the free with purchase item.
Information about free with purchase items may only be included in the item description.
A free with purchase item must not be featured in the first photograph of the listing.
The listing price must only reflect the listed item.
Gift certificates are governed by local laws; it is the seller's
responsibility to determine if they are in compliance. If you list a
gift certificate on Etsy, you are responsible for this compliance.
You must include this sentence in the item listing: "This Gift
Certificate is valid only in my Etsy shop, and it is only redeemable here."
Drop shipping is not permitted. All items must be shipped under the
direct supervision of the seller.
In addition to the listing and tagging rules that
apply to all listings on Etsy, please review the specific policies that
apply to the three types of items that may be sold on Etsy:
handmade by you, commercial
crafting supplies and vintage items. Some items
are prohibited, and some items (for example:
mature content) require special attention to comply
with Etsy's policies.
Listings that do not comply with Etsy's policies may be flagged for review
(see Flagging). Members who do not comply with Etsy's
policies may be subject to review, which can result in suspension of account
privileges and/or termination. If Etsy removes an item listing for violating
Etsy policy, the seller is still obligated to pay the listing fee for that
item. Suspended or terminated members remain obligated to pay Etsy for all
unpaid fees per our Terms of Use.
With the exception of Vintage and Supplies, categories on Etsy are for handmade items.
Handmade items must be created by the seller (or a member of the
collective) operating the Etsy shop.
Below are general policies regarding handmade items on Etsy, as well as
special considerations for certain types of listings or activities in
the handmade categories.
On Etsy, the term "handmade" can additionally be interpreted as
"hand-assembled" or "hand-altered."
Simply tailoring, restoring or repairing an item is not considered handmade.
To be considered handmade, the seller must substantially alter the
design of an item produced from a "ready to assemble" kit.
Upcycled, reconstructed or significantly altered vintage items are
considered handmade. These items should be listed as handmade, not
in the Vintage category.
Selling commercial or mass-produced items in Etsy's handmade categories is not permitted.
You may not list handmade items that you (or a member of your collective)
did not create. This is considered reselling and is not permitted.
Listings that do not comply with Etsy's policies may be flagged for review
(see Flagging). Members who do not comply with Etsy's
policies may be subject to review, which can result in suspension of account
privileges and/or termination. If Etsy removes an item listing for violating
Etsy policy, the seller is still obligated to pay the listing fee for that
item. Suspended or terminated members remain obligated to pay Etsy for all
unpaid fees per our Terms of Use.
Custom orders or customizable items may be listed on Etsy in the handmade
categories if they adhere to the following policies for listing:
"Custom order" listings must be listed for purchase with a set price.
The seller may use photographs of previous work and options for
customization (for example: color choices) in the listing.
If the seller offers different sizes or styles that affect the price,
the seller must make a separate listing for each item.
The buyer must purchase the listing on Etsy to have an item created.
Details about the customization can be discussed via Etsy Conversation or email.
If the buyer supplies their own materials to the seller for a custom
order, they do so at their own risk.
The final custom item must comply with all of Etsy's policies for handmade items.
Listings that do not comply with Etsy's policies may be flagged for review
(see Flagging). Members who do not comply with Etsy's
policies may be subject to review, which can result in suspension of account
privileges and/or termination. If Etsy removes an item listing for violating
Etsy policy, the seller is still obligated to pay the listing fee for that
item. Suspended or terminated members remain obligated to pay Etsy for all
unpaid fees per our Terms of Use.
Creatively re-packaging commercial items does not qualify them to be sold as
handmade (for example: a gift basket consisting of non-handmade items).
Gift sets and kits that are a collection of non-handmade ("commercial")
items may not be sold in Etsy's handmade categories.
To sell commercial items as a grouping, the items must be assembled as
components to create a new product.
Listings that do not comply with Etsy's policies may be flagged for
review (see Flagging). Members who do not comply
with Etsy's policies may be subject to review, which can result in suspension
of account privileges and/or termination. If Etsy removes an item listing
for violating Etsy policy, the seller is still obligated to pay the listing
fee for that item. Suspended or terminated members remain obligated to pay
Etsy for all unpaid fees per our Terms of Use.
Production assistance for certain intermediary tasks in some crafts may be
acceptable. The following policies govern use of production assistance in
the creation of handmade items:
An assistant, under the direct supervision of the seller, may: assist
with a portion of the creation process, list items in a shop, ship items,
communicate with buyers, accounting or other record keeping.
A third-party vendor may be used for intermediary tasks in some crafts.
Acceptable examples include, but are not limited to: printing the seller's
original artwork, metal casting from the seller's original mold, or kiln
firing the seller's handcrafted ceramic work.
A third-party vendor may not fulfill your orders to your Etsy customers
on your behalf (no drop-shipping).
An assistant or third-party vendor's involvement may not comprise a
majority share of a handmade item's creation.
Listings that do not comply with Etsy's policies may be flagged for review
(see Flagging). Members who do not comply with Etsy's
policies may be subject to review, which can result in suspension of account
privileges and/or termination. If Etsy removes an item listing for violating
Etsy policy, the seller is still obligated to pay the listing fee for that
item. Suspended or terminated members remain obligated to pay Etsy for all
unpaid fees per our Terms of Use.
In general, services are not allowed to be listed on Etsy. There are a few
exceptions noted below that are allowed as they produce a new, tangible, physical item.
Any service that does not yield a new, tangible, physical item is not
allowed (for example: tailoring, restoring or repairing an item,
photographic retouching or color correction).
Custom graphic design and digital pattern distribution are allowed; a
digital file (for example: .pdf, .jpg, .doc) is considered the tangible, physical item.
An instructional crafting workshop is allowed as long as it provides
the buyer with a tangible, physical item (for example: an instructional
booklet, crafting supplies, a finished project that the student created in the workshop).
Listings that do not comply with Etsy's policies may be flagged for review
(see Flagging). Members who do not comply with Etsy's
policies may be subject to review, which can result in suspension of account
privileges and/or termination. If Etsy removes an item listing for violating
Etsy policy, the seller is still obligated to pay the listing fee for that
item. Suspended or terminated members remain obligated to pay Etsy for all
unpaid fees per our Terms of Use.
A commercial crafting supply is an item that is primarily used to make
handmade items you might find for sale on Etsy (for example: yarn, beads,
instructional books, patterns, tools). Both handmade and non-handmade
("commercial") crafting supplies may be listed under the
Supplies category.
Commercial crafting supplies are items not handmade by you.
(Crafting supplies handmade by the seller are allowed to be sold on Etsy,
but are not subject to the policies for commercial crafting supplies.
Please see the policies for handmade items.)
A commercial crafting supply is not a commercial item that, although it
may be used in crafting, is ready to use as is (for example:
mass-produced clothing, dollhouse furniture and clothing).
Commercial tools, elements and accessories that are used in conjunction
with handmade items, but are not used to create a new item may not be
sold on Etsy as a commercial crafting supply (for example: make-up
brushes, wax tart burners).
Shipping supplies and packaging materials are allowed in the top-level
Supplies category.
Listings that do not comply with Etsy's policies may be flagged for review
(see Flagging). Members who do not comply with Etsy's
policies may be subject to review, which can result in suspension of account
privileges and/or termination. If Etsy removes an item listing for violating
Etsy policy, the seller is still obligated to pay the listing fee for that
item. Suspended or terminated members remain obligated to pay Etsy for all
unpaid fees per our Terms of Use.
Vintage goods and vintage collectibles may also be sold on Etsy. The
following information details the criteria and guidelines regarding listing these items:
The Vintage
category is for items that are at least 20 years old.
Unaltered items or items which have been repaired or restored to their
original condition are allowed to be listed in the Vintage category.
Upcycled, reconstructed or significantly altered vintage items are
considered handmade. These items should be listed as
handmade, not in the Vintage category.
Listings that do not comply with Etsy's policies may be flagged for review
(see Flagging). Members who do not comply with
Etsy's policies may be subject to review, which can result in suspension of
account privileges and/or termination. If Etsy removes an item listing for
violating Etsy policy, the seller is still obligated to pay the listing fee
for that item. Suspended or terminated members remain obligated to pay Etsy
for all unpaid fees per our Terms of Use.
Etsy understands that members may wish to participate in fundraising for
charitable organizations and causes. Charitable fundraising is subject to
many laws, and unfortunately, there exist unsavory people who may attempt
to take advantage of your good will. Therefore, for the protection of our
community, Etsy has established some policies regarding charitable listings
and shops that use charitable fundraising as a promotional tool.
Members participate in charitable fundraising at their own risk.
Members represent that any charitable fundraising complies with all
applicable laws.
A seller who promotes that their Etsy shop engages in charitable
fundraising on behalf of a recognized tax-deductible charitable
organization (for example: 501(c)(3) status or equivalent with the
IRS, similar legally-recognized non-U.S. charitable organization) must
receive appropriate consent from the charitable organization.
The seller must include clear information about the organization and
donation details in the listing and/or
Public Profile.
Listings created solely to solicit for donations are not permitted. All
listings on Etsy must be for a tangible item
available for sale.
Members must comply with all policies, including Etsy's
Community and Conversations
policies. Members must not send unsolicited donation requests.
A charitable shop involving multiple people must comply with all
applicable rules concerning collective shops.
Members who do not comply with Etsy's policies may be subject to review,
which can result in suspension of account privileges and/or termination. If
Etsy removes an item listing for violating Etsy policy, the seller is still
obligated to pay the listing fee for that item. Suspended or terminated
members remain obligated to pay Etsy for all unpaid fees per our
Terms of Use.
Etsy aims to maintain a marketplace appropriate for general audiences,
therefore the use of mature content must comply with the following policies.
Mature content is defined as: visual depiction of male or female genitalia,
sexual activity or content, profane language or graphic violence. Mature
content listings will remain in all Etsy searches by default; users can
restrict results by using the exclusionary search term "NOT mature"
("opt-out" search status).
Item listings containing mature content must be
tagged
with "mature" and include the word "mature" in the item title.
Mature content and/or profane language or images are not allowed in
your username, Public
Profile, item titles, tags, avatar, banner,
Shop Announcement and/or shop section titles.
The first thumbnail image in your item listing should be kept
appropriate for general audiences; additional images in the listing may
show the item in its entirety. Mature content and/or profane language or
images are only allowed in the second, third, fourth and fifth photos of
an item listing and the description text of a listing.
Listings that do not comply with Etsy's policies may be flagged for review
(see Flagging). Members who do not comply with
Etsy's policies may be subject to review, which can result in suspension of
account privileges and/or termination. If Etsy removes an item listing for
violating Etsy policy, the seller is still obligated to pay the listing fee
for that item. Suspended or terminated members remain obligated to pay Etsy
for all unpaid fees per our
Terms of Use.
Each Etsy seller warrants that his or her use of the site complies with all
applicable laws. Beyond the legal issues, Etsy members are responsible for
making important moral or ethical decisions regarding what they buy
and sell on Etsy.
Some items are inappropriate for Etsy's marketplace, even though they may
otherwise meet Etsy's selling criteria. You may not list the following
types of items on Etsy:
Motor vehicles (automobiles, motorcycles, boats, etc.)
Items that promote or glorify hatred, racial, religious intolerance
Items that instruct others to engage in illegal activity
Additionally, a seller may not list any item that violates the seller's local
laws, including shipping restrictions, per our
Terms of Use.
Listings for prohibited items will be removed from the site, and the
member's selling privileges may be suspended and/or terminated. If Etsy
removes an item listing for violating Etsy policy, the seller is still
obligated to pay the listing fee for that item. Suspended or terminated
members remain obligated to pay Etsy for all unpaid fees per our
Terms of Use.
Accurate tags are very important, as many of Etsy's shopping
features use tags to help shoppers find your listings. Check out the
Listing
an Item Help Guide for more information on how to add tags to your
listings. Here are the basic policies for tagging:
Only use accurate and relevant tags that describe the specific item
for sale in your listing.
You may use relevant synonyms as tags (for example: a purse may be tagged
with "handbag"). You must not tag a listing with related, but inaccurate
words (for example: mittens should not be tagged with "scarf," earrings
should not be tagged with "necklace").
If your items are one-of-a-kind or unique, you may tag your listing with
"original," "OOAK," "one of a kind," or other synonyms. However, if your
item is a reproduction or in an edition of multiples, you must not tag
it with these terms.
You may only use multiple words as a single tag if they comprise a
single descriptive phrase (for example: "sterling silver" or "art doll").
Examples of unacceptable multiple words in a single tag: "silver earrings,"
"beach water sunset," "handbag purse clutch," "green red blue black."
Tags should only state what the item is, not what the item may become or
potential uses for the item (for example: yarn should not be tagged with
"sweater," beads should not be tagged with "bracelet," small gift items
should not be tagged with "stocking stuffer").
Tags that describe the craft or process used to create an item should
only refer to the processes that you personally used to create the item
(for example: note cards should only be tagged "papermaking" if you made
the paper by hand from pulp, a wooden shelf should only be tagged
"woodworking" if you built the shelf).
If your listing contains mature content, then you must comply with
Etsy's mature content policies. This includes
tagging and titling your listing with the word "mature."
These additional policies apply when tagging listings for handmade items:
Choose the top-level
category that best describes the handmade item in your listing.
Listings for handmade items must not be tagged with "commercial." This
tag is only for items not made by the seller.
Upcycled, reconstructed or significantly altered vintage items are
considered handmade. These items should be listed as handmade, not in
the top-level Vintage category.
These additional policies apply when tagging listings for supply items:
Commercial crafting supplies must be listed in the top-level
Supplies
category; this means the first tag is "Supplies."
Commercial crafting supplies must be tagged with "commercial."
Commercial crafting supplies must not be listed in the top-level
handmade categories (for example: the
Books
and Zines category is only for handmade books; the
Knitting
category is only for handmade knitting-related items).
Mass-produced commercial crafting supplies must not be tagged with "handmade."
A commercial crafting supply that is 20+ years old may be listed in the
top-level Vintage or Supplies categories.
Handmade crafting supplies may be listed in the top-level Supplies category or other top-level categories (for example: a glass bead handmade by the seller could be listed in the top-level Supplies or Glass categories).
Handmade crafting supplies should be tagged with "handmade."
Listings that do not comply with Etsy's policies may be flagged for review
(see Flagging). Etsy may review listings and remove
tags without notice. In addition to the listing and
tagging rules that apply to all listings on Etsy, please review the specific
policies that apply to the three types of items that may be sold on Etsy:
handmade by you, commercial
crafting supplies and vintage items. Members
who do not comply with Etsy's policies may be subject to review, which can
result in suspension of account privileges and/or termination. If Etsy
removes an item listing for violating Etsy policy, the seller is still
obligated to pay the listing fee for that item. Suspended or terminated
members remain obligated to pay Etsy for all unpaid fees per our
Terms of Use.
The Showcase
is a self-service, paid advertising program for Etsy shops that may increase
awareness of your items and shop, views and/or sales on Etsy. Sellers can
purchase a spot to promote their items on the site.
Showcase spots are not transferable between Etsy accounts.
Showcase spots are non-refundable, except under very special
circumstances at Etsy's discretion.
You must follow the restrictions for the Showcase spot you've purchased
(for example: category, tag, theme).
Item listings in Showcases that do not meet the particular restrictions for
that Showcase may be reported to Etsy for review. If an item listing
violates these Showcase policies or any other listing policy, Etsy reserves
the right to remove your item from the Showcase or remove your spot on the
Showcase without notice or refund.
Flagging is akin to Etsy's neighborhood watch. It's your way to alert Etsy of
potential problems. Use the "Report this item to Etsy" link on any item
listing page. This is a confidential process. The member whose listing is
reported will not know who flagged it. Additionally, Etsy's investigation
will be handled privately; you will not receive a personal response to
your flagging message.
Flagging should be used to report any item listing, shop or Alchemy
request that violates any of Etsy's policies.
Since flagging is a private matter, members should not discuss flags in
any of Etsy's community spaces.
In most cases, Etsy will work with a member privately to remedy the problem.
If a seller does not respond to Etsy's communication or requests in a timely
manner, the item may be removed, and the shop's selling privileges may be
suspended and/or terminated. In some extreme cases, listings will be removed
immediately. Abuse of the flagging system by means of raising repeated,
unjustified flags may result in the suspension and/or termination of your
account. If Etsy removes an item listing for violating Etsy policy, the
seller is still obligated to pay the listing fee for that item. Suspended or
terminated members remain obligated to pay Etsy for all unpaid fees per our
Terms of Use.
The community
is the heart of Etsy; all registered members are part of our community. Etsy
has established multiple ways for members to interact with one another on
the site, such as the Forums, Chat Rooms, Virtual Labs and Teams. Please
remember that these are public spaces, so
use
common sense when sharing personal information. Etsy's role is to
facilitate open discussion and support our community through constructive
communication. Above all, treat one another with respect, and remember that
there is a real person behind each username.
Treat one another with respect. There is a real person behind each username.
Knowingly harassing, insulting or abusing other members is unacceptable.
Discussing a specific member, shop or item (either by name or with
identifiable hints) in a negative way is not allowed. This is referred
to as "calling out."
Do not use the community spaces to facilitate or arrange any sort of
auction or transaction.
Specific transactions and/or feedback should not be discussed in public
community spaces. Instead, contact
Support privately if you need help with a transaction.
You may not use an undisclosed alternate account (also called a "sock
puppet") in the community spaces.
Do not publicly post any kind of private information (for example: email,
Conversations, letters, phone numbers, addresses, full names or business
transactions).
Solicitation for direct donations or other fund-raising is not allowed
in the community spaces. (Etsy shop promotions that entail donating
proceeds to charities must comply with Etsy's
Charitable listings and shops policies.)
Etsy does not allow spam in the community space; for this reason,
unsolicited promotion or advertisement from representatives or
affiliates of outside services, websites or other products is not allowed.
To participate in the community spaces, a member must be over 18 years
of age, unless otherwise specified by Etsy (see Membership).
In addition to the policies for all community spaces on Etsy, these
additional policies apply to the Forums:
Keep your posts on-topic and in the
appropriate
section of the Forums. Forum threads in the wrong section will be
moved without notice to the appropriate place.
Take care in what information you post in the Forums; in general, the
Forums serve as a permanent record. In certain circumstances, at Etsy's
sole discretion, Etsy may remove content from the Forums.
Etsy reserves the right to close any Forum thread for any reason. Violating
community policies may result in suspension of community or other
privileges and/or account termination.
Etsy Teams are intended
to facilitate relationships between members to network, promote their shops,
meet people with similar interests or skills and accomplish the goals set
forth by Teams. Etsy provides resources for Teams to develop creative ways
to network and promote.
Team members are responsible for their actions. Etsy is not responsible
for membership policies or other actions of Teams.
Etsy is not involved in Team finances and/or membership dues.
Teams are responsible for their own actions, events, contests or
promotions, both online and offline. Please use common sense when
giving out personal information and meeting people online or offline.
Etsy will not mediate disputes between Team members or between teams
and outside parties.
Etsy reserves the right to refuse links on any profile page or Etsy
Teams page for any reason.
Do not use the term "Etsy," other Etsy Trademarks or confusingly similar
marks in a manner likely to cause confusion (see
Trademark Guidelines).
Etsy staff will not monitor third-party forums (for example: Yahoo or
Google groups) or other independent Team sites (for example: blogs,
Team websites).
Teams who wish to open a shared account must comply with the policies
for collective shops (see Membership).
The individual that registers the account is responsible for all
activities of the shared account.
Members that choose to participate in shared shops do so at their own
risk. Etsy will not mediate disputes.
If a Team chooses to use a dedicated item listing tag, it must contain
the word "team." Etsy will not mediate disputes regarding use of Team
tags on item listings.
Members who do not comply with Etsy's policies may be subject to review,
which can result in suspension of account privileges and/or termination.
Suspended or terminated members remain obligated to pay Etsy for all unpaid
fees per our Terms of Use.
Etsy's blog, The Storque,
publishes fresh content daily — sharing stories, videos, seller tips and
shopping finds from the Etsy marketplace. Etsy staff, special guests and
members of the Etsy community contribute posts on a variety of topics. We'd
love to hear your story; you're welcome to
pitch an article to us.
Knowingly harassing, insulting or abusing other members is unacceptable
in Storque comments. Constructive criticism is fine, but being mean is not.
Etsy does not allow spam in Storque comments; for this reason,
unsolicited promotion or advertisement from representatives or
affiliates of outside services, websites or other products is not allowed.
The Storque is published, in part, under a Creative Commons license that allows you to repost
articles. Give credit where credit is due, and always cite the author(s)
of the article.
Link back to the original Storque article; each page has a unique URL (web address).
While Etsy has permission to use content that our members post on
Etsy.com, our members may retain certain intellectual property rights
for their work. Please respect the artist's rights if contacted about use of material.
Etsy reserves the right to remove Storque comments. Posting inappropriate
comments may result in suspension of privileges and/or account termination.
The Treasury
is an ever-changing, member-curated shopping gallery of handpicked items.
Members can feature their favorite items, items selected on a theme or just
whomever they like. Etsy may, at times, promote whole or partial selections
from a Treasury list to other areas of the site (for example: the home page).
Only one Treasury list per person at a time. Do not create lists with
multiple accounts at the same time.
Treasury is not intended for personal promotion. Do not include more
than one of your own items in your Treasury list.
Etsy reserves the right to remove Treasury lists at any time. Abuse of the
Treasury may result in suspension of privileges and/or account termination.
Effective Date: October 27, 2009. Etsy reserves the right to alter these policies at any time.
