Documentation requirements for international shipments vary by service and destination. Be sure to confirm what is needed on the carrier's site before sending. You’re solely responsible for the accuracy of all information you provide on customs forms and to customs authorities.

Delivery companies and third-party delivery partners

When delivering international orders, the method of tariff and duty collection may vary depending on the destination market, the goods being sent, and the chosen delivery company.

When using a postal carrier (USPS, Canada Post, etc.) or some commercial carriers, the transaction is typically on a Delivered Duty Unpaid (DDU) or Delivered At Place (DAP) basis. Buyers are responsible for paying tariffs, import duties, or other charges imposed by their country’s government, and applicable carrier handling fees, payable on delivery. This can lead to an unexpected cost for the buyer.

Some commercial carriers offer a Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) model. This is a more integrated solution that allows you to manage and pay these costs upfront, at the time of dispatch. By using a DDP model, you can present a tariff-inclusive price on Etsy, eliminating surprises for the buyer upon delivery. This also eliminates the risk of your buyer refusing to pay a tariff after their item has already made the journey to its destination.

At this time, we recommend utilising third-party delivery partners or carriers offering DDP. Consult the table below for suggestions based on the country you’re delivering from. 

Keep in mind that some postal carriers are actively working on or starting to implement DDP solutions, so check with your carrier of choice for the latest updates. If you’re delivering from the UK, you can purchase Royal Mail DDP postage labels directly on Etsy.

For sellers delivering to the US from Canada, under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), some goods may enter the US tariff-free if they meet the rules of origin. We’ve noted which DDP carriers have the ability to account for these exemptions, so you can choose an option that most accurately reflects the applicable tariff rate.

Purchasing an international postage label

When you print an international postage label through Etsy, the label you download serves as both your postage label and customs form.

When purchasing an international label, you must:

• Enter accurate total package weights and customs descriptions, including, but not limited to, item descriptions, values, country of origin, and any other details required for international delivery for all the items in your order. Package weights can’t be fractional and should be rounded up to the nearest whole number. You may be required to add a tariff number.
• Provide both your full name and your shop name in your sender information. This may help avoid issues and delays at customs.
• Include the full name of the buyer in the recipient details, even if the delivery address is a registered business.
• Ensure that the declared value of the package is accurate. Have documentation such as order receipts available in case you need to verify the declared value of your dispatched items. 

If you're creating your label through Etsy, Etsy will pre-fill your customs form with the item description(s) weight and quantity directly from the information you’ve provided in your listings. You’re responsible for confirming this information is accurate, and should make adjustments if anything is incorrect.

Documentation requirements vary by service and destination. Be sure to confirm what is needed on the carrier's site before sending. You’re responsible for the accuracy of all information you provide on customs forms and to customs authorities.

Customs descriptions

If you are using a label through Etsy and your order only has one item, we’ll automatically fill out the customs description with that item’s title as long as it is fewer than 50 characters in length. You can edit this by selecting the field under Customs Description.

If you've set a default customs description, it will appear as the default on all of your labels, regardless of item quantity. You can define up to five items that appear on your customs form. This includes the description, quantity, weight, and monetary value.

While Etsy pre-fills these fields for your convenience, you remain solely responsible for reviewing and ensuring the complete accuracy of all information on the customs forms before dispatch, as it is based entirely on your input.

Country of Origin

When you purchase an international postage label on Etsy you can input Country of Origin into the customs form. While the Country of Origin field will be available for every international label purchase, it won't be a required field in all cases.

What is the Country of Origin?

Country of origin refers to where a product was made or manufactured. For definitions and detailed information to help you determine the correct Country of Origin for your items, please refer to the official sources linked below, as applicable:

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection - Rules of Origin
• EU Commission Taxation and Customs Union - Rules of Origin for Goods
• World Trade Organization (WTO) - Rules of Origin
• Canada Border Service Agency - Origin of Goods

Tariff no.

Tariff numbers are required on any package entering the European Union (EU). Packages delivered without a tariff code may be delayed by customs or returned to you.

You’ll need to know how to find the right number for the different types of products you sell in your shop. You can look up tariff codes for your items using a variety of resources, including:

• United States Census Bureau
• European Taxation and Customs Union
• World Customs Organisation
• US International Trade Commission
• Video education from United States Census Bureau

Read more about how to find the correct tariff number.

Codes may appear as six, eight, or ten digits. Packages being delivered into the EU require at least a six-digit code (HS6 code), but you're welcome to use more specific HS8 or HS10 codes if you prefer. HS6 codes are recognised by most countries.

Etsy Support can not assist with determining the right code for your item. If you’re having trouble finding the right tariff code for your items, please contact a tax professional for assistance with this.

Declared value

The value of your item will be declared on your form. We’ll automatically fill this in based on the order total including any discounts, based on the information you provided in your listing. We do not include postage or tax charges when calculating the declared value, only the items’ price and quantity.

Printing customs forms

Depending on the mail class, package type, and destination, you'll print one of two customs forms. The single page form can be attached to your package in the standard way. The multi-page form must be attached using a clear envelope.

Learn more about the forms required with your delivery company:

• USPS
• FedEx
• Canada Post
• Royal Mail & Evri
• Australia Post

Also, you can purchase additional labels for an international order from the order’s receipt page for up to two months after the initial label purchase.

Automated Export System/Internal Transaction Number

For US sellers: When your package's value is equal to or more than $2,500.00 USD, an export licence number and additional documentation may be required by the U.S. Census Bureau. This is specified on the customs form as an Automated Export System/Internal Transaction Number (AES/ITN).

For most items with a value under $2,500.00 USD, and for most destination countries, an AES/ITN is not required and an AES Exemption applies. The AES Exemption number will be automatically printed on the customs forms for any postage purchased through Etsy where the value is under $2,500.00 USD.

For packages valued at or over $2,500.00 USD, the AES/ITN/Exemption number will be left blank on any postage purchased through Etsy. In this case, it will be up to you to supply a valid AES/ITN for your package.