How to Sell on Etsy from India: A Complete 2025 Guide for Indian Creators

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.