Etsy International Shipping: Sell to the Whole World

International buyers are waiting - if your shipping invites them

Over half of Etsy's marketplace is outside the US. Sellers who ship internationally often see a real share of sales come from abroad. The catch: shipping costs, customs and delivery times scare some sellers away. Here's how to set up international shipping that works.

Why ship internationally

• Bigger audience - reach buyers in the UK, EU, Canada, Australia and beyond
• Less competition - local sellers in those markets are fewer
• Premium prices - international buyers often accept higher shipping
• Repeat customers - satisfied overseas buyers come back

Set up international shipping profiles

Create separate shipping profiles for each region (see shipping profiles guide):

• USA - domestic rates (see USPS costs)
• Canada - moderate rates
• UK / EU - use your customs knowledge (see customs guide)
• Rest of world - higher rates, longer times

Price international shipping right

Never guess. Real rates vary a lot by weight and destination:

• Small, light items (jewelry, prints): $10-15 is typical
• Mid items: $15-25
• Heavy or large items: can hit $40+ - consider calculated shipping

Use calculated shipping for accuracy, or flat rates that cover your costs. Run the numbers through our Etsy fee calculator.

Delivery time expectations

• US to Canada: 1-2 weeks
• US to UK/EU: 2-4 weeks
• US to Australia: 2-5 weeks
• Always add your processing time on top

Set honest processing times (see processing guide) and communicate clearly.

Customs forms and duties

International orders need customs paperwork. Etsy's system generates the forms and you attach them to the package:

• Declare the value honestly - underpricing causes problems
• Mark it as a gift or merchandise correctly
• Know that import duties/taxes are usually paid by the buyer - some Etsy/Etsy Payments regions collect them automatically

See our full customs and duties guide.

Use Etsy's Global Shipping Program (if available)

Etsy's Global Shipping Program lets Etsy handle the international leg - you ship to a US hub and Etsy deals with customs and final delivery. Pros: easy, fewer customs issues. Cons: less control, sometimes slower. Evaluate it per product.

Handle international issues proactively

• Track the package - provide the tracking number
• Message the buyer when it ships (see messages guide)
• Be patient with customs delays - communicate, don't panic
• Offer insurance for high-value orders

Frequently asked questions

Is international shipping worth the hassle?

For most product sellers, yes. The added audience and sales usually outweigh the extra paperwork - especially if you use Etsy's tools.

Do international buyers pay customs fees?

Usually the buyer pays import duties/taxes, which many Etsy payments regions collect at checkout - so it's handled automatically.

How do I set different rates per country?

Use separate shipping profiles per region, or Etsy's per-country pricing, to charge fair rates without losing money.

International buyers pay for the product, not the postcode. Price shipping honestly, handle customs with Etsy's tools, and half the world opens up to your shop.