How to Sell on Etsy from India: A Complete 2025 Guide for Indian Creators
- walbayzonllp
- Jun 2
- 5 min read

Selling on Etsy has long been a dream for Indian artisans, designers, and creators who wish to take their handmade, vintage, or craft supply products to a global audience. Etsy, as a platform, celebrates originality, creativity, and small businesses, making it an ideal fit for India’s vibrant handicraft and art culture.
In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know to become a successful Etsy seller from India in 2025 — from eligibility and product ideas to payments, shipping, legal compliance, and the latest policy updates.
Can You Sell on Etsy from India in 2025?
New Indian Seller Onboarding Has Resumed (As of June 2025)
Good news for Indian creators! As of June 2025, Etsy has resumed onboarding for new Indian seller accounts. After a temporary pause due to verification and compliance updates, the platform now supports new registrations from India with Payoneer integration for payments.
Stay Updated: Regularly check https://www.etsy.com/in-en/sell for updates.
Documents Required to Open an Etsy Seller Account from India
To successfully register and verify your Etsy seller account from India, you will need the following documents:
PAN Card (in your name or your business name)
Aadhaar Card (for identity verification)
Bank Account Details (preferably in the same name as your Etsy account)
Valid Email Address & Mobile Number
Payoneer Account (linked to your Etsy for receiving payments)
GSTIN (Optional but recommended if you're selling above the threshold limit)
Business Address Proof (Utility bill, rent agreement, or bank statement showing address)
Make sure the documents are clear, up-to-date, and match the details entered during Etsy and Payoneer registration. Why Sell on Etsy from India?
Despite the temporary restriction, Etsy remains one of the most ideal platforms for Indian creators. Here’s why:
Global Reach: Access millions of buyers from the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and more.
Low Competition: Unlike Amazon or Flipkart, Etsy focuses on niche, creative, and handmade products.
High-Value Customers: Etsy buyers are ready to pay premium prices for authenticity and artistry.
Supportive Community: Etsy encourages ethical small businesses and offers resources for growth.
Types of Products You Can Sell from India on Etsy
Etsy allows three major product categories:
1. Handmade Items
Handmade jewellery
Paper crafts
Crochet and knitting
Hand-painted home decor
Handmade candles and soaps
2. Vintage Goods (At least 20 years old)
Antique jewellery
Typewriters, radios
Vintage maps or books
3. Craft Supplies
Embroidery kits
Beads and buttons
Yarns and fabrics
Scrapbooking paper
Prohibited Items: Mass-produced goods, hazardous materials, medical products, and items that infringe intellectual property.
Step-by-Step Guide for Selling on Etsy from India
If you already have an Etsy seller account, here's your complete checklist:
Step 1: Optimize Your Shop Setup
Shop Name: Unique, relevant to your niche
Shop Banner & Logo: Add professional branding
About Section: Share your story, photos of workspace or artisans
Policies: Clearly define returns, shipping times, custom orders
Step 2: Add Product Listings
Use the following format:
Title: Include primary keywords (e.g., "Handmade Macrame Wall Hanging - Boho Decor")
Photos: Minimum 5 per item, with good lighting and background
Description: Include material, dimensions, care instructions, customization info
Tags: Use all 13 relevant tags
Step 3: Pricing Strategy
Factor in:
Raw material and labor
Listing & transaction fees
Currency exchange rate
Shipping cost
Etsy ads (optional)
Use tools like EtsyHunt or EverBee for competitive pricing analysis.
Etsy Fee Structure for Indian Sellers
Understanding Etsy’s fees is essential for profitability:
Listing Fee: $0.20 USD per item listed (valid for 4 months)
Transaction Fee: 6.5% of the selling price (including shipping)
Currency Conversion Fee: 2.5% (if selling in non-INR currency)
Payment Processing Fee: 5% + ₹25 per transaction (via Payoneer)
Offsite Ads Fee: 15% (only if a sale comes through Etsy’s external ads)
Payment Setup for Indian Sellers
As Etsy doesn’t support direct bank payouts in INR, sellers in India use Payoneer as the payment intermediary.
Important Update (March 2025): Etsy Expands Payments with Payoneer
Etsy has partnered with Payoneer, a global financial technology company, to enhance payment processing for sellers, especially in emerging markets like India. According to Etsy's update:
Etsy Payments Expansion: Etsy is expanding its payments service to more countries, including India, through Payoneer.
Payoneer Integration: Indian sellers can now enroll in Etsy Payments, link their existing Payoneer account, or create a new one.
Payment Frequency: Etsy deposits funds weekly into the seller’s Payoneer account, which can then be withdrawn to a local Indian bank in INR.
This partnership aims to simplify international earnings and bring more Indian creators into the global marketplace.
Shipping Products from India
Shipping is one of the biggest challenges in international selling. You can use the following methods:
Domestic Courier + International Freight Forwarder
Shiprocket X
DHL Express
India Post (for budget shipments)
FedEx International
Etsy Shipping Labels (Not Yet Available for India)
Etsy offers shipping label integrations only in select countries like the US and UK.
Tips for Successful Shipping:
Use sturdy packaging to protect items
Provide accurate weight & dimensions
Include tracking number in Etsy dashboard
Use branded packaging for better experience
How to Handle Returns & Customer Service
Returns are rare on Etsy if listings are detailed and accurate.
Best Practices:
Respond to messages within 24 hours
Be polite and professional
Offer refunds or replacements when justified
Set clear return and exchange policies in your shop settings. Use templates for faster replies.
Etsy SEO: How to Get Your Products Discovered
Etsy has its own search algorithm, and SEO is critical.
On-Page Optimization:
Use long-tail keywords in your product title
Optimize tags (13 per product)
Write search-friendly descriptions
Use categories and attributes effectively
Off-Page Optimization:
Link your Etsy shop on social media
Blog about your product journey
Get backlinks from craft blogs or influencers
Use tools like eRank, Marmalead, and EverBee to research keywords and optimize listings.
Promoting Your Etsy Shop from India
Marketing is key to scaling your business:
1. Etsy Ads
Paid promotion within Etsy search
Cost-per-click model (set daily budget)
2. Instagram & Pinterest
Focus on product aesthetics
Use reels, stories, and carousel posts
Collaborate with international micro-influencers
3. Email Marketing
Collect emails via thank-you cards or landing pages
Share new arrivals, sales, and behind-the-scenes content
4. International Craft Marketplaces
List on platforms like NotOnTheHighStreet, Folksy, or Facebook Marketplace International
Legal & Tax Compliance in India
As an Indian seller, you must comply with domestic laws even when selling internationally.
Documents Needed:
PAN Card
GST Registration (Mandatory if turnover > ₹40 lakhs/year)
Import Export Code (IEC) from DGFT (recommended for global marketplaces)
Tax Filing:
File GST returns on international transactions
Maintain transaction and shipping records
Consider hiring a CA for smoother filings
Challenges & Solutions for Indian Etsy Sellers
Challenge | Solution |
Currency Fluctuation | Price in USD, review rates weekly |
Customs Delays | Partner with experienced couriers |
High Return Shipping Cost | Offer partial refund instead of return |
Limited Seller Support India | Use Etsy forums & Reddit seller communities |
Registration Block (2023-25) | Wait for reopening / try global dropshipping |
What to Expect in 2025?
Policy Updates: Watch Etsy's Seller Handbook and email updates
Shop Onboarding: Likely to resume once compliance tools improve
Cross-Platform Sales: More sellers integrating Shopify + Etsy for risk mitigation
Increased Buyer Interest in India-Made Products post COVID-era handmade boom
Final Thoughts: Should You Start Selling on Etsy from India?
If you are:
A creator or artisan with original products
Ready to ship internationally
Willing to adapt to platform guidelines
then Etsy is a brilliant long-term opportunity.
If you don't have a shop yet, now is the perfect time to join — Etsy has resumed onboarding for new Indian sellers as of June 2025. You can start your registration today and begin building your global craft business on Etsy. Alternatively, you can also explore platforms like Amazon Handmade, Shopify, or eBay. like Amazon Handmade, Shopify, or eBay.
For existing sellers, optimize your listings, automate your shipping, and scale your global brand.
Need Help with Etsy Selling from India?
Let your creativity reach global buyers. Start strong with:
Personalized Etsy Shop Setup
Payoneer Integration Support
Professional Packaging & Branding Tips
Strategy Insights to Stand Out Globally
Get in touch to grow your global craft business today.
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