How Etsy Shipping Works

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How Does Etsy Shipping Work?

 

Shipping is an important part of being an Etsy seller. It is your responsibility to ensure that items purchased from your store are promptly sent to your customer. This guide will cover the basics of Etsy shipping and assist in building a foundation for your shipping strategy.

PLAN YOUR SHIPPING STRATEGY

 

Before you get started, it is important to create a well-rounded policy for your Etsy store. While your shop policy will cover an array of topics, this guide is more focused on the shipping aspect of it. Let’s get started.

 

1| INVENTORY PLANNING

 

The items you are selling in your Etsy shop will influence how you will ship them. For example, if you are selling and shipping large items like furniture, you will not be able to use the United States Postal Service. As a result, you would need to hire a private carrier.

 

2| ORDER PROCESSING

 

The next thing to consider is order processing times. Etsy calls this the “Ship By Date” and it’s a very important part of your shipping strategy. Furthermore, it sets an expectation as to when a buyer will receive their purchase. Processing times will vary depending on whether or not your items are made-to-order and can range between one business day and 10 weeks.

 

3| CREATE SHIPPING PROFILES

 

Shipping profiles save time by allowing you to sync shipping costs for multiple items in your shop. You may either opt to have Etsy calculate shipping prices for you, or you can manually add them. Additionally, you have the option to advertise free shipping on your products. Free shipping allows you to roll the shipping costs into the total price of your merchandise. Feel free to download our free shipping strategy eBook for further pricing strategies.

 

4| ETSY SHIPPING METHODS

 

Lastly, you will want to determine which method to use for shipping your merchandise. Currently, Etsy allows you to print both USPS and FedEx shipping labels directly from your seller dashboard. However, both options have size limitations. See the chart below:

 

USPSFedEx Greyhound Bus
Max Weight 70 pounds150 pounds 100 lbs
Max Dimensions 130" total girth 119" length
130" total girth
29" L x 47" W x 82" H

 

How does Etsy shipping work when your items exceed parcel limits?

 

The best option for shipping items too large for parcel is to hire a private carrier through uShip. uShip’s online shipping marketplace allows you to get affordable quotes from reliable shipping companies. Want to learn more? Find out how uShip has helped other Etsy sellers succeed.

CAN I DO MY OWN ETSY SHIPPING?

 

Yes, you can manage your own Etsy shipping. In fact, as long as you are following the Etsy House Rules, you can freely use any shipping method of your choice. At the end of the day, just make sure your buyer receives their shipment. Additionally, communicate accurate order processing times and comply with both local and international customs regulations.

HOW TO COMBINE SHIPPING ON ETSY

 

Another great feature of Etsy is the ability to combine shipping. Combined shipping gives your buyers a shipping discount for ordering multiple products from your Etsy shop. For example, if a customer buys two different products, you can put them in one box with one shipping label.

 

Similarly, uShip allows you to combine shipping costs when shipping larger items such as furniture. When a customer purchases multiple bulky items, you are able to get a combined shipping rate for both.

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BY AARON HAMMOND | NOVEMBER 12, 2019