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DOs and DON'Ts

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DOs and DON'Ts

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.

Membership
- Multiple accounts held by one person
- Multiple people using a single account
Conversations
Transactions
- Transaction concerns or disputes
- Transaction cancellation
Feedback
Marketplace criteria
Advertising on Etsy
Flagging
Community
- Forums
- Teams
- The Etsy Blog
- Treasury

Membership

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, Teams, Treasury, the blog, and multimedia Online Labs events), 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.

Multiple accounts held by one person

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 or credits 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

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.

Transactions

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 work through the transaction to completion.

A transaction is created when a buyer completes Etsy's checkout process. The seller and buyer will receive email notification from Etsy with information about the transaction and an invoice record on 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 Policies (for example: credit card, PayPal, personal check, etc).

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.

Etsy is a global marketplace with some shops and listings available in various languages. A seller should be able to conduct business in the language used in their shop or listings (for example: if a seller creates listings in German, the seller should be able to accurately describe the item, complete the transaction and provide customer service to the buyer in German).

Etsy encourages both buyers and sellers to consider the following best practices, which may help resolve problems should a dispute arise.

For buyers:

Use Etsy Conversations to communicate about any questions, special details or problems.
Read the shop's policies before purchasing.
Provide an accurate shipping address during Checkout.
Before returning an item, check the shop's policies and contact the seller.
In the event of a return, retain proof of shipping and/or delivery confirmation that includes the date and recipient’s address (at least the city/state or zip code).

For sellers:

Use Etsy Conversations to communicate about any questions, special details or problems.
Publish clear shop policies using the tools provided by Etsy.
Verify payment was received before shipping an item.
Provide an anticipated shipping time frame, and update the buyer if the shipping time frame changes.
Ship to the address provided by the buyer during Checkout.
Accurately mark the order as "shipped" and send a shipping notification using the tools on Etsy.
Retain proof of shipping and/or delivery confirmation that includes the date and recipient’s address (at least the city/state or zip code).

Transaction concerns or disputes

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, 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

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

Non-delivery occurs when a seller does not ship an item after a transaction has been created and the buyer paid. The buyer may file a non-delivery report with Etsy against the seller within a reasonable time frame. 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 both parties to follow best practices (see Transactions). 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.
Once an Etsy non-delivery case has been opened by the buyer, the buyer and/or seller must respond to the case to close it.
A case may be closed after the buyer and seller reach a resolution, the seller issues a full refund, or the seller issues a partial refund to which the buyer is amenable.
If the buyer and seller cannot reach a resolution, the case may be escalated for review and resolution by Etsy.
If a case is escalated to Etsy, the seller may be asked to provide Etsy with additional information (for example: proof of shipping and/or delivery, proof of refund) to help resolve the dispute.

If a case is escalated for review by Etsy, then Etsy's team will determine the resolution for the dispute. Both parties must abide Etsy's decision. For eligible transactions paid with a credit card via direct checkout, Etsy may issue a refund to the buyer from the seller's Shop Payment Account. If there are insufficient funds available in the seller's Shop Payment Account, Etsy may charge the payment source on file for the seller to cover the refund. 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.

Refusing service

Etsy encourages sellers to engage in clear and consistent communication, follow best practices (see Transactions) and honor transaction agreements. However, if a seller cannot complete 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 Etsy Conversations.
The seller can only refuse service prior to shipping.
If the buyer has already paid, then the seller must issue a full refund to the buyer (price paid for item plus shipping).
The seller may cancel the transaction when applicable (see Transaction cancellation).
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.

Dissatisfaction with item

In the event the buyer receives a product that is significantly different from the original listing, the buyer should first contact the seller. Sellers are encouraged to follow best practices (see Transactions). If the buyer and seller are unable to resolve the situation, then for certain eligible transactions the buyer may file a report with Etsy within a reasonable time frame. Etsy encourages buyers to submit fair, honest feedback (see Feedback).

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 Policies.
If the payment method in the transaction was credit card via direct checkout, then the transaction is eligible for a not as described case on Etsy.
Once a not as described case has been opened by the buyer on Etsy, the buyer and/or seller must respond to the case to close it.

If the buyer and seller cannot reach a resolution, the case may be escalated for review and resolution by Etsy.
If a case is escalated to Etsy, both buyer and seller may be asked to provide additional information (for example: photographs of the item) to help resolve the dispute.

If a case is escalated for review by Etsy, then Etsy's team will determine the resolution for the dispute. Both parties must abide Etsy's decision. For eligible transactions paid with a credit card via direct checkout, Etsy may issue a refund to the buyer from the seller's Shop Payment Account. If there are insufficient funds available in the seller's Shop Payment Account, Etsy may charge the payment source on file for the seller to cover the refund. 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.

Interference

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 another member to warn the member away from a particular buyer, seller or item.
Posting in the public areas of your account (for example: Shop Announcement, Profile, listings) to demonstrate or discuss a dispute with others or with Etsy may be considered a form of interference.

Transaction cancellation

Etsy charges fees to sellers for use of Etsy's services. Sellers agree to complete valid transactions and pay Etsy fees in full. On occasion, a seller may need to cancel an invalid or void transaction. When applicable, Etsy will issue a credit 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 to request cancellation of a transaction. Item returns are subject to the individual seller's shop policies; the buyer needs to contact the seller for approval prior to shipping an item back to the seller. Sellers are encouraged to keep proof of any refunds provided to buyers in the event a dispute arises over a cancellation.

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.
The payment method was credit card via direct checkout AND a full refund is provided to the buyer from the seller's Shop Payment Account.
The payment method was via PayPal, check, money order, or other payment method, AND the following additional criteria are met:

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).
The buyer paid, the seller shipped the item, and the buyer received the item. Then the buyer and seller agreed the buyer can return the item to the seller for a refund. The seller has received the returned item, and 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

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.

Marketplace criteria

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 together (see Membership).

Handmade by you

With the exception of Vintage and Supplies, categories on Etsy are for handmade items. Handmade items must be created by the seller operating the Etsy shop (or a member of that 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 shop) did not create. This is considered reselling and is not permitted.
All items in the handmade categories must comply with Etsy's listing policies, including special policies for labeling handmade items.

Listings that do not comply with Etsy's policies may be reported 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

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.
When creating a custom order listing, be sure to select "Made to order" when prompted with the question "When did you make it?"

Gift baskets

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.

Production assistance

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.

Services

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).

Commercial crafting supplies

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.
All items in the Supplies category must comply with Etsy's listing policies, including special policies for labeling Supply items.

Vintage goods

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.
All items in the Vintage category must comply with Etsy's listing policies, including special policies for labeling Vintage items.

Charitable listings and shops

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 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 Membership rules.

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.

Mature content

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 "-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, 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.
Pornography is prohibited on Etsy.

Prohibited items

Every Etsy seller is responsible for following the laws that apply to you, your shop and your items, including any shipping restrictions for your items.

There are some types of items that we don't allow in Etsy's marketplace, even if they are legal and otherwise meet Etsy's selling criteria. Some things just aren't in the spirit of Etsy. The following types of items may not be listed on Etsy:

Alcohol
Tobacco
Drugs, drug-like substances, drug paraphernalia
Live animals, illegal animal products
Pornography
Firearms and/or weapons
Recalled items
Real estate
Motor vehicles (automobiles, motorcycles, boats, etc.)
Items or listings that promote, support or glorify hatred toward or otherwise demean people based upon: race, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity, disability, or sexual orientation; including items or content that promote organizations with such views
Items or listings that promote or support illegal activity or instruct others to engage in illegal activity
Items or listings that promote, support or glorify acts of violence or harm towards self or others

Even beyond these standards, Etsy members are responsible for making important moral or ethical decisions regarding what they buy and sell on Etsy.

We reserve the right to remove listings that we determine are not within the spirit of Etsy. Such listings 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.

Shops

We encourage all sellers to provide information about yourself and/or your craft in your 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, Profile, item titles, tags, avatar, banner, 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.
You may not knowingly misrepresent your language. Shop and listing information should be accurate in the language(s) to which you've enrolled your shop.

Listings

All listings on Etsy should be clear, accurate and detailed. Accurate photos, descriptions and listing information 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 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 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.

Labeling your items

There are several key pieces of information about your item that Etsy uses to help shoppers find what they are seeking, such as: titles, tags, attributes, materials, categories and subcategories. It's very important to accurately label your items. Providing high-quality, accurate info helps shoppers find your items. Inaccurate info can create a frustrating shopping experience for everyone in the marketplace.

Here are the basic rules for labeling your listings:

Only use accurate and relevant terms that describe the specific item for sale in your listing.
Answers to "Who made it?", "What is it?" and "When was it made?" must be accurate; this information determines the categories available for your listing.
You may use relevant synonyms (for example: a purse may be described as a "handbag"). You must not label a listing with related, but inaccurate words (for example: mittens should not be described as "scarf," earrings should not be described as "necklace").
If your items are one-of-a-kind or unique, you may describe your listing as "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 describe it with these terms.
You may use a short descriptive phrase as a tag if it accurately describes your item (for example: "sterling silver," "messenger bag," "steampunk cufflinks").
You may not stuff multiple words into a single tag that do not comprise a descriptive phrase (for example: "beach water sunset," "handbag purse clutch," "green red blue black.")
You 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 labeled as "sweater," beads should not be labeled as "bracelet," small gift items should not be labeled as "stocking stuffer").
Tags or attributes 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 described as "papermaking" if you made the paper by hand from pulp, a wooden shelf should only be described as "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."

Labeling handmade items

These additional policies apply when describing handmade items:

Choose the top-level category that best describes the handmade item in your listing.
Upcycled, reconstructed or significantly altered vintage items are considered handmade. These items should be listed as handmade, not in the top-level Vintage category. Your answer to "When did you make it?" should refer to when you altered the item, not when the vintage components were originally made.

Labeling vintage items

These additional policies apply when describing vintage items:

Vintage items must be listed in the top-level Vintage category.
Tags and attributes that describe the decade or age of the item must be accurate to the best of the seller's knowledge.
A commercial crafting supply that is 20+ years old may be listed in the top-level Vintage or Supplies categories.

Labeling supply items

These additional policies apply when describing supply items:

Commercial crafting supplies must be listed in the top-level Supplies category.
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 reported for review (see Flagging). Etsy may review listings and remove tags without notice. In addition to the 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.

Advertising on Etsy

More Help: Showcase | Search Ads

Etsy offers two distinct paid promotional opportunities for shops that may help increase visibility and awareness of your items and shop: the Showcase and Search Ads. Sellers can purchase a Showcase spot or Search Ad keywords to promote their items on the site.

Ads are not transferable between Etsy accounts.
Ads are non-refundable, except under very special circumstances at Etsy's discretion.
You must follow the restrictions for the advertising spot you've purchased (for example: category, tag, theme).

Item listings in advertising spaces that do not meet the particular restrictions for that promotional placement may be reported to Etsy for review. If an item listing violates these policies or any other listing policy, Etsy may remove your listing and/or remove your ad without notice, refund or credit. Your account must be in good standing to purchase ads. You are obligated to pay any fees associated with your ads.

Flagging

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, or shop request that violates any of Etsy's policies.
Do not flag a single violation multiple times.
Do not flag for intellectual property matters. Instead, please follow Etsy's Copyright and Intellectual Property Policy.
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.

Community

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, including Forums, Teams, Treasury, the blog, and multimedia Online Labs events. 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. We have some general rules for community conduct, and some spaces have additional rules.

Treat one another with respect. There is a real person behind each name.
If your account involves a person under the age of 18, you may not utilize the community features on Etsy 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.)
Knowingly harassing, insulting or abusing other members is unacceptable.
The community spaces are not the appropriate channel to express disputes with others.
Discussing a specific member, shop or item (either by name or with identifiable hints) in a negative way is not allowed.
Specific transactions and/or feedback should not be discussed in public community spaces. Instead, contact Support privately if you need help with a transaction.
Do not publicly post another person's private information without their explicit consent (for example: email, Conversations, letters, phone numbers, addresses, full names or business transactions).
Do not use the community spaces to facilitate or arrange any sort of auction or transaction outside of Etsy's Checkout.
You may not use an undisclosed alternate account (also called a "sock puppet") in the community spaces.

Violating community policies may result in suspension of community or other privileges and/or account termination.

Forums

Other Languages: Deutsch, Francais, Italiano

The Etsy Forums are a place to have fun and interact with a broad range of Etsy community members worldwide. On the Forums you can read staff announcements, share questions and answers on how to use the site, discuss how to run an online business and more with Etsy members from all walks of life. Let's start a discussion!

When using the Forums, follow the general rules for Etsy community conduct.
Solicitation for direct donations or other fund-raising is not allowed in the Forums.
Etsy does not allow spam in the Forums; for this reason, unsolicited promotion or advertisement from representatives or affiliates of outside services, websites or other products is not allowed.
Keep your posts on-topic. Do not derail a constructive discussion thread.
Start threads in the appropriate section of the Forums.
Consider carefully 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. Threads may be moved to a more appropriate section without notice. Violating community policies may result in suspension of community or other privileges and/or account termination.

Teams

Etsy Teams enable members to gather together and are founded on relationships of mutual respect. Teams may form around a common interest, location, skill, or just for fun. Teams are intended to facilitate relationships between members to network, promote Etsy shops, meet people with similar interests or skills and accomplish the goals of each individual team's charter. Any member of the Etsy community (over the age of 18) may start a team, and each team may have their own charter regarding purpose and team membership. Each team has a captain and leader(s) to uphold the team's charter and maintain team membership.

A team must have one captain and may additionally have leaders.
A team may have a charter detailing membership requirements and expectations for the team. Team leadership is responsible for enforcing the team's charter. A team's charter must abide by all of Etsy's policies, including our Terms of Use and Copyright and Intellectual Property Policy.
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 is not involved in teams’ finances and/or membership dues.
A team may not be used to demonstrate or discuss disputes with others or with Etsy.
Knowingly harassing, insulting or abusing other members or Etsy staff is unacceptable behavior within Etsy Teams.
A team may not use mature, profane or racist language or images in the team's name, banner or logo.
A team must not promote or glorify hatred, racial or religious intolerance, violence or instruct others to engage in illegal activity.
A team may not be used for the sole purpose of redirecting traffic to another web location. Etsy reserves the right to refuse links on any profile page or team page for any reason. Unsolicited promotion or advertisement from representatives or affiliates of outside services, websites or other products is not allowed. If your company, organization, or institution wants to start a team, you must get permission through Etsy’s partnerships and sponsorships program by contacting teams@etsy.com.
Do not use the term "Etsy," other Etsy Trademarks or 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 teams sites (for example: a team's blog or website).
Etsy will not mediate disputes between teams and outside parties, nor disputes between teams or team members.
Teams may gather shops whose promotions entail donating proceeds to charities, but these activities must comply with Etsy's Charitable listings and shops policies.

Teams that do not comply with Etsy's policies may be removed, and Etsy reserves the right to remove a team for any reason. Members who do not comply with Etsy's policies may be subject to review, which can result in removal of the member from the team, 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.

Team Members

Membership requirements for teams are determined by the captain of each individual team and are described in the team's charter. Members can join as many teams as they desire, given the ability to meet the requirements of each team.

Team members are responsible for their own actions within the team.
Etsy will not mediate disputes between team members, and/or leaders.
Specific transactions and/or feedback should not be discussed in public spaces. Instead, talk privately with the members involved. Or contact Support privately if you need further help with a transaction.
Do not publicly post any kind of personally identifiable information (for example: email, Conversations, letters, phone numbers, addresses, full names or business transactions).
You must be at least 18 years of age to participate in Etsy Teams and other Etsy community features.

A team's captain or leader(s) may deny team membership to anyone for any reason. Team captains and Etsy reserve the right to remove a member from a team. Members who do not comply with Etsy's policies may be subject to review, which can result in removal of the member from the team, 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.

Team Captains

You can become a team captain by creating a team or by being appointed by the captain of a pre-existing team. As a captain, it is your responsibility to uphold your team's charter and to maintain order by fostering productive and respectful relationships between members.

Each team can only have one captain.
Team captains are responsible for monitoring appointed leaders.
Captains are responsible for facilitating their own team's discussions and may remove content as appropriate.
A captain can transfer leadership responsibilities to another team member. If there is no one else who can take over the role, the captain may delete the team.
Only a team captain is allowed to delete a team. The team may only be deleted if it has no members.
Team captains are responsible for approving or declining membership applications, if the team is moderated, or appointing leaders to do so.

If a captain becomes inactive, doesn’t respond to members for an extended amount of time, or otherwise abandons the responsibilities of being a team captain, Etsy may promote a team leader or team member to be a new captain. If a team captain can’t resolve disputes, Etsy may remove the captain or specific members, or even remove the team entirely. Captains who do not comply with Etsy's policies may be subject to review, which can result in account suspension and/or termination. Suspended or terminated members remain obligated to pay Etsy for all unpaid fees per our Terms of Use.

Team Leaders

Captains may appoint multiple leaders to help administrate a team. Leaders should defer to team captains for administrative decisions.

Team leaders are responsible for approving or declining membership applications, if the team is moderated.
Leaders can remove a member from a team.
Team leaders cannot appoint or remove other leaders, only the captain can do that.

If a leader is not fulfilling his or her duties, a team captain may reassign their role within the team or remove them from the team entirely. Leaders who do not comply with Etsy's policies may be subject to review, which can result in account suspension and/or termination. Suspended or terminated members remain obligated to pay Etsy for all unpaid fees per our Terms of Use.

Original Etsy Teams in the New Etsy Teams System

The original Etsy Teams — who grew up through Etsy's grassroots — are the reason the new Etsy Teams tool was built. Seller-focused teams may continue some old school practices even after transitioning to the new platform. While Team shops are allowed, you organize and run them at your own risk. As the new Teams tools improve and expand, Team shared accounts may become obsolete. As tools are added, Etsy will re-evaluate the use of shared accounts by Teams.

Teams may continue to use their team tags. 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.
Teams who wish to open a shared Etsy account must comply with the policies for collective shops (see Membership). The individual who registers the account is responsible for all activities of the shared shop. Members who participate in the Team account must disclose this in their Public Profiles.

The Etsy Blog

On The Etsy Blog we publish new articles 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.

We encourage members to share their opinions, including disagreement with ideas presented on the blog. The tone should be civil and respectful, and the discussion remain on-topic.
Knowingly harassing, insulting or abusing other members is unacceptable in blog comments. Constructive criticism is fine, but being mean is not.
Mature, profane or intolerant language is not permitted in blog comments.
Etsy does not allow spam in blog comments; for this reason, unsolicited promotion or advertisement from representatives or affiliates of outside services, websites or other products is not allowed.

The Etsy Blog is published, in part, under this Creative Commons license that allows you to repost articles and videos. Give credit where credit is due, and always cite the author(s) of the article.

Link back to the original 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 blog comments. Posting inappropriate comments may result in suspension of privileges and/or account termination.

Treasury

Treasury is an ever-changing, member-curated shopping gallery of handpicked items. Members can feature their favorite items, items selected on a theme or whatever items 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).

You may not use a Treasury list or comments to reference a specific member, shop or item in a negative way.
You may not knowingly harass or abuse another member in Treasury comments.
A Treasury list containing mature content or featuring mature content item listings must be tagged "mature" by the curator.
A Treasury list's title may not contain profane, racist or mature content.

The curator of a list may delete comments on that list at their discretion. Etsy reserves the right to remove Treasury lists at any time. Abuse of Treasury may result in suspension of privileges and/or account termination.

Effective Date: October 27, 2009.
Updated: May 3, 2012.
Etsy reserves the right to alter these policies at any time.

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