Etsy UK Shipping & Delivery Guide 2024
Discover everything you need to know about shipping and delivery on Etsy as a seller. Sign up to Smart Send for free and access exclusive shipping prices from £2.15 for Etsy and all major marketplaces!
Congratulations on making your first sale on Etsy! As a vibrant online marketplace for handmade crafts, vintage items and unique goods, Etsy offers a great platform for artists, crafters and collectors alike. Whether you're turning your hobby into some extra cash or running an online business, Etsy is the perfect place to showcase and sell your creations.
Many SMEs (small to medium-sized enterprises) start selling on Etsy before they build their own website because Etsy is fast, easy and cost effective. It’s also a great tool for established businesses to tap into Etsy’s vast audience and keep up with competitors.
Once you’ve set up your seller account on Etsy and made a sale, the next step is shipping. For first time Etsy sellers, this can sometimes be tricky to navigate. We have put together this guide to help explain the Etsy delivery process and also some tips for existing sellers to make shipping easier.
What is Etsy Shipping?
Etsy is an online marketplace which allows you to sell products and items online. Etsy’s main parcel delivery service is its Etsy Postage Labels option, as it does not offer its own fulfilment service. If you’re a seller based in the UK, you have the option to purchase postage labels from either Royal Mail or Evri directly from your Etsy shop. These can then be shipped to both UK and international destinations. Etsy helps with printing the labels, but ultimately, the shipping and fulfilment is up to the seller.
For sellers based in the US and Canada, they can select Etsy Postage Labels through USPS, Fedex and Canada Post, and again, must fulfil their own orders.
However, these are not the only postage options available - with Smart Send, our Etsy Ecommerce Shipping Integration, you can easily compare parcel delivery services for couriers across the UK to find the best option for you.
Etsy Postage Prices - Find the cheapest Etsy shipping rates with Parcel2Go
If you’re researching the cheapest way to send Etsy parcels in the UK, our Quick Quote tool is a great place to start. This is a shipping calculator tool to help you find the best Etsy courier options by comparing all UK couriers in one place.
Simply ensure you have your parcels measurements such as height, width and weight to hand, and the Quick Quote tool will find you the best options. You can filter this by your desired service, such as next day delivery or shipping for heavy items, or by cheapest price.
With Parcel2Go, our cheapest Etsy prices start from just £2.15 exc VAT.
Etsy Shipping Integration - Smart Send
For sellers managing multiple orders or running an online business, our free Etsy shipping integration tool, Smart Send is a great option. Smart Send connects directly to your Etsy account to automate the shipping process so you can manage all of your orders in one place. Like all Parcel2Go services, free Etsy parcel tracking is included, and our Lowest Price Guarantee means you won’t find a cheaper price elsewhere, and if you do, we’ll match it!
Etsy Courier Services
Etsy’s primary option for shipping includes using its Etsy Postage Labels service as mentioned above, which in the UK includes Evri and Royal Mail. The seller is ultimately responsible for fulfilment and correct use of the labels.
Through the postage labels service, you can select the following options:
Standard Shipping
For standard shipping options, with Royal Mail you can send your items within the UK via Royal Mail through either 1st or 2nd class post, if a signature isn’t needed. You can also select a ‘Signed For’ service to ensure your items get there safely.
With Evri, you can select the ‘Shop to Home Standard’ service as part of the Etsy Postage Labels service.
If you’re looking for more options than this, such as heavy item delivery or collection services, Parcel2Go offers a wider range of standard shipping options, from small parcels to bulkier items like furniture and homeware. With Smart Send, you can easily compare and choose the best courier service for your needs. Whether you're shipping small items like jewellery or larger goods like furniture, we have options to suit every size and shape.
Free parcel tracking is included as standard, and our shipping integration tool can automate shipping orders all in one place by connecting to your Etsy account.
Etsy's diverse range of shipping options includes everything from standard delivery to next-day shipping.
Courier Collection
Most Etsy Postage Labels services are for drop off delivery, so if you need a parcel collected from your home and delivered door to door, Parcel2Go can help you quickly find affordable and reliable courier collection services. Simply head to our courier collection page or use Smart Send to find door to door services to get your parcel on its way.
Next Day Delivery
To appeal to buyers who need items quickly, consider adding express delivery services such as next day delivery to your listing. If you select ‘offer free postage’ for this service, your listings may qualify for the free next day postage message.
Through the Etsy Postage Labels service, this includes ‘Shop to Home Next Day’ via Evri, and for Royal Mail you can select a Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm service.
You can also select Next Day delivery within Smart Send.
International Shipping
Opening up your Etsy store or listing to additional countries can help you to sell more items.
To add international postage to your listing, select the countries you’re open to posting to and enter your international postage service and costs. With the Etsy Postage Label service, you can select ‘International Standard’, ‘International Signed’ or ‘International Tracked and Signed’ via Royal Mail.
At Parcel2Go, we deliver to over 200 countries and territories worldwide, and international shipping can be handled through both Quick Quote and Smart Send. Free Etsy tracking is included as standard, and our international services will also include all of the necessary information you need for customs and VAT so there are no unexpected fees along the way.
Etsy Packaging Tips
After your Etsy item sells, it's time to think about packaging. For the safety of your item during transit and to prevent any damage, it’s recommended to use protective materials like bubble wrap, packing peanuts, or packing foam. These are essential for fragile items, large or bulky goods, and high-value products like electronics and jewellery.
Cardboard boxes come in various sizes and are a staple for shipping. For smaller or lighter items, padded envelopes, poly mailers, or shipping bags are practical choices. For larger, heavier items like furniture, a more specialised service such as pallet delivery could be a good option. Items like clothing are often shipped in smaller parcels or jiffy bags, which you can source from post offices or online retailers.
For items with considerable value, opting for a 'recorded delivery' service through Parcel2Go can add an extra layer of security. The recipient’s signature upon delivery not only ensures the package reaches the right hands but also provides you with a delivery confirmation.
After wrapping your items safely, place them in your chosen container, secure with packing tape and attach the postage label if you need it.
Etsy Postage Labels
Etsy Postage Labels are part of Etsy’s shipping service, which it uses for parcel delivery through the Etsy platform. You can purchase and print Postage Labels for Royal Mail and Evri Services from the UK from Etsy, while sellers based in the US and Canada can select Etsy Postage Labels through USPS, Fedex and Canada Post. Once you have your label, securely tape it to the front of your parcel and drop it off at your nearest delivery point. While you can purchase postage labels on Etsy, you still need to post and fulfil the orders yourself.
If you don’t have a printer, you can select a variety of printer and label-free services through Parcel2Go, with prices starting from £2.15. We also offer a much wider range of courier services, which include both Royal Mail and Evri, so you can easily compare prices and services from UK couriers all in one place.
Managing your Etsy Shipping Address
It’s important to keep your shipping address up to date for both buying and selling on Etsy.
To update your address, sign in to your Etsy account and go to ‘Choose a shipping address’ followed by ‘Add an address’ . From here you can edit your address as required.
If you are a seller and need to update the delivery address for a buyer, you should first contact them to verify the address is correct. Once you have the correct address, you can edit the Etsy Postage label when purchasing the label. If you have already purchased the label, or used a courier service such as through Parcel2Go, you can either contact the courier directly to see if it can be re-routed, or else cancel the order and issue a refund.
Returning Items on Etsy
Returning items on Etsy is slightly different from larger retail platforms, such as Amazon and eBay. As Etsy is a marketplace for individual sellers, including artisans, craft makers and small businesses, each seller can set their own policies.
Sellers aren’t required to accept returns or provide a refund, so whether or not you can return or get a refund for an item is up to the individual seller. We recommend first contacting the seller and giving a reason for the return request, alongside supporting photos if needed.
If you need to pay to return your item, you can use Parcel2Go to do this through our Quick Quote tool, with prices starting from £2.15. Parcel tracking is included so you will know that your item has been successfully returned. Always package it carefully to avoid any damage on route, which could affect your chances of a refund.
Always check the seller’s return and refund policy before purchase. If the seller is based in the EU, they may be obligated to give you a refund based on EU policy through their online dispute platform. You can also contact Etsy directly to open a case to help resolve any issues, if the seller has not responded to your request in 48 hours. In this case, you can receive a refund for qualifying orders on any item that doesn’t arrive, arrives damaged, or doesn’t match the item description or photos.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to set up an Etsy shop?
Setting up an Etsy shop is a straightforward process.
To get started, first, create an Etsy account. Once your account is ready, set up your shop by choosing a unique shop name. After naming your shop, focus on stocking it with your products. Next, set up your billing information to manage financial transactions. It's also important to choose your payment preferences to define how you'll receive payments from customers. Lastly, setting up shipping details is crucial to ensure your products reach your buyers.
How to change an Etsy shop name?
Changing your Etsy shop name is a straightforward process. However, it is important to note that on Etsy, you are allowed to change your shop name only once.
To initiate this change, you need to log into your Etsy account. After logging in, navigate to the Shop Manager, where you can access your Shop Settings. Within the Shop Settings, select Info & Appearance. Here, you will find the option to change your shop name.
How much does Etsy take?
Etsy sellers must be mindful of several fees. As of April 2023, these include a 15p listing fee for each item, a transaction fee of 6.5% of the total sale price (including shipping), and for those using Etsy Payments in the UK, a payment processing fee of 4% plus 20p per transaction.
How to delete an Etsy shop?
Closing your Etsy shop will make it inactive, but you have the option to reopen it later. To close your shop, sign in to Etsy, navigate to Shop Manager, select Account Settings, and then choose the Close Your Shop option. This action deactivates your shop, allowing for potential reactivation in the future.
If you want to permanently delete your Etsy account, you will need to directly contact Etsy support.
What can I sell on Etsy?
On Etsy, you can sell items across several main categories, including handmade items, digital products, vintage items, and craft supplies. These categories encompass a wide range of products, catering to various interests and needs of shoppers looking for unique and specialised items.
How do you cancel an order on Etsy?
To cancel an order on Etsy, start by navigating to your Shop Manager. Once there, open Your Orders to locate the specific order you wish to cancel. After finding the order, proceed to request a cancellation. It's important to then notify the buyer about this cancellation to keep them informed. Finally, ensure to issue a refund to complete the cancellation process.