When a package ships internationally, it may be subject to import taxes, customs duties, and/or fees imposed by the destination country. These charges are typically due once the package arrives in the destination country.
Sellers are responsible for complying with the laws and regulations of the country of destination. Generally, the buyer is responsible for paying customs duties on receipt of the package. In some countries Etsy is responsible for collecting the VAT or similar tax on the sale of goods on the Etsy platform.
Am I required to charge VAT on the items I sell on Etsy?
VAT stands for value-added tax. It's a tax based on the consumption of goods and services that is commonly found in the EU, UK, and select other regions of the world.
VAT is also known as JCT, GST, HST, SST, PST, RST or QST in some countries and regions around the world.
If you’re a VAT-registered seller, you may be required to charge VAT on the items that you sell on the Etsy platform. For information on VAT requirements in your location, please consult your local tax authority or a licensed professional.
Learn how taxes work on digital items.
Learn how taxes work on seller fees.
Learn how to add your taxpayer ID for your Etsy shop.
Do I need to provide anything to the buyer?
Businesses in certain countries may need to provide an invoice when supplying goods or services. For further details on the invoice and these requirements, please contact your local tax authorities. For sellers in the EU, you can find useful information on the European Commission's website.
Where can I find customs forms?
You can obtain customs declaration forms from your mail provider. Most of the time, these are available online.
Goods purchased from the US shipping overseas
Sellers in the US that are shipping overseas can enter their package information on the USPS website to determine which customs form is necessary.
I have questions about selling to a specific country
Some countries have specific directions for sellers regarding customs and international taxes. Select the dropdown for the country you’re selling to below. For information about IOSS numbers, please see Selling to European Union buyers.
Some orders shipped to Etsy customers in Australia are subject to Goods & Sales Tax (GST). Etsy will collect a 10% GST on orders if each of the following applies:
- Seller is located outside Australia.
- The package is being shipped to a buyer in Australia.
- The total value of the package is less than or equal to $1,000 AUD.
Etsy automatically includes the tax in the buyer’s total at the last stage of the checkout process. Etsy is then responsible for remitting it to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
For orders placed through PayPal, Etsy sends the GST collected to the seller as a part of the payment. Etsy then adds the tax to the seller’s Etsy statement so that we can remit the tax to Australian authorities.
If you’re a seller located outside of Australia who ships a package to a buyer in Australia that is less than or equal to $1,000 AUD, and you ship using a commercial carrier, such as Fedex, you may need to include the information below to ensure the buyer receives their order without delay:
- Etsy’s Australian Reference Number (ARN): 3000 0920 7152
- The item(s) total, shipping costs, GST charged, and full order total.
Australian customs authorities may look at the customs form to confirm that GST was paid on the order. Multiple items purchased in the same order should be shipped in the same package.
Sellers who ship packages using a national mail service, such as the United States Postal Service, PostNL in the Netherlands, Royal Mail in the United Kingdom, or Canada Post, may not be required to provide this additional information.
Please consult your preferred carrier for more guidance on where to enter the information above.
Etsy will not collect GST where the total value of the package being imported into Australia is more than $1,000 AUD. Sellers may need to add additional information to the customs forms on these packages and there may be additional taxes payable on import. Etsy will not apply GST to transactions for goods located in Australia. Please contact your tax advisor regarding any tax obligations.
Etsy will not collect GST/HST on orders shipped to Canada from outside Canada. Canadian buyers may be required to pay the GST/HST once they receive the package. Learn more about the the taxes Etsy charges for sales within Canada.
Etsy is required to collect and remit RST/PST for imports into Saskatchewan/Manitoba from outside Canada.
Goods arriving into Saskatchewan
Orders shipped to Etsy customers in Saskatchewan are subject to PST. Etsy collects a 6% PST on orders when each of the following applies:
- Seller is located outside Canada
- The package is being shipped to a buyer in Saskatchewan
We recommend sellers include the following information on the packages:
- Packing slip in the package with the separate PST amount shown, which may appear under Tax
- Note on the packing slip: PST has been collected and remitted by Etsy.
Goods arriving into Manitoba
Orders shipped to Etsy customers in Manitoba are subject to RST. Etsy collects a 7% RST on orders when each of the following applies:
- Seller is located outside Canada
- The package is being shipped to a buyer in Manitoba
We recommend sellers include the following information on the packages:
- Packing slip in the package with the separate RST amount shown, which may appear under Tax
- Note on the packing slip: RST has been collected and remitted by Etsy.
Orders shipped to Etsy customers in New Zealand are subject to Goods & Sales Tax (GST). Etsy collects a 15% GST on orders when each of the following applies:
- Seller is located outside New Zealand
- The package is being shipped to a buyer in New Zealand
When an order fits these criteria, Etsy automatically includes the tax in the buyer’s total. The buyer pays the tax at checkout, and Etsy remits it to the New Zealand Inland Revenue Department.
For orders placed through PayPal, Etsy sends the GST collected to the seller as a part of the payment. Etsy adds the tax to the seller’s Etsy statement so that we can remit the tax to New Zealand authorities.
Sellers must include the following information on the outside of their packages and on the customs slip:
- Etsy’s Inland Revenue Department (IRD) number 122-669-181.
- Indication that GST has been applied.
As a seller, if you don’t meet these requirements, the buyer may be charged GST again at the time of delivery. If a seller fails to include this information, the buyers may be charged GST at the border and additional handling fees.
Etsy will not apply GST to transactions where the goods are located in New Zealand. Please contact your tax advisor regarding any tax obligations.
Etsy collects a VAT of 25% on orders shipped to Etsy customers in Norway if each of the following applies:
- The seller is located outside Norway
- The shipping address is in Norway
- The package has items less than 3,000 NOK
- The item is subject to VAT at the standard rate of 25%.
Items that Etsy is not required to charge VAT on, but instead will be charged and collected at the border, are Food & Drink (including Candy and Chocolate) and goods subject to excise duty.
When an order fits these criteria, Etsy automatically includes the tax in the buyer’s total. The buyer pays the tax at checkout, and Etsy remits it to the Norwegian Tax Authority.
For orders placed through PayPal, Etsy sends the VAT collected to the seller as a part of the payment. Etsy adds the tax to the seller’s Etsy statement so that we can remit the tax to the Norwegian Tax Authority.
For orders being imported into Norway where Etsy has charged the buyer VAT, you must provide Etsy’s VOEC number (2021137) to the postal or carrier service for electronic transmission. If Etsy's VOEC number is not passed to the carrier/postal service correctly, the buyer may be charged VAT again at the time of delivery along with additional handling fees.
When you book the shipment from your local postal service, Etsy’s VOEC number (2021137) should be included in the field named “sender.identification.reference” in the ITMATT messaging system. When sending by other transporters or couriers, enter the VOEC number in the EDI message as instructed at the time of booking. Make sure you enter the 7-digit number without any other alphanumeric characters.
There may also be additional information required for the customs forms on these packages. Review the Norwegian Tax Authority’s website to learn what information to include.
If Etsy's VOEC number is not passed to the carrier/postal operator correctly, the buyer may be charged VAT again at the time of delivery along with additional handling fees that the carrier may apply at customs.
Etsy will not collect VAT where the items being imported into Norway are valued at more than 3,000 NOK. Sellers may need to add additional information to the customs forms on these packages and there may be additional taxes payable on import. Etsy will not apply VAT to transactions where the goods are located in Norway. Please contact your tax advisor regarding any tax obligations.
Etsy collects GST on Low Value Goods from buyers on orders that meet the following criteria:
- The buyer is located in Singapore
- The goods are dispatched from outside Singapore
- The total value of an item (excluding shipping) is less $400 SGD.
For eligible items under the $400 SGD threshold, Singapore shoppers will see GST-inclusive pricing when they view listings while searching and browsing, as well as on the listing page. The GST amount seen before purchase is an approximate value. The final GST amount will be calculated at checkout and will be applied to the full order total, which includes item price and shipping.
Sellers are required as per our Seller Policy to represent their listings as accurately as possible to buyers to ensure the correct GST amount is charged on GST eligible items. Learn more about listing items.
In these cases, Etsy is solely responsible to collect and remit GST to IRAS. Neither you nor the carriers should be collecting GST from buyers under the $400 SGD threshold. Learn more on the IRAS website.
We recommend sellers include the following information on the packages:
- Packing slip in the package with the separate GST amount shown, which may appear under Tax
- Note on the packing slip: The item is under $400 SGD threshold and the marketplace, Etsy, will collect and remit the GST to IRAS
Learn how to print a packing slip.
You don’t need to register for GST with IRAS for sales of items where Etsy is collecting the GST, and there’s no requirement to upload tax certificates or any other tax information for these sales. However, you may be subject to other tax or legal requirements depending on your personal circumstances. Please consult a local tax professional for more information.
If the value of an item (excluding delivery) is under the $400 SGD threshold, Etsy is solely responsible to collect and remit the GST to IRAS.
Etsy will not collect GST where the items being imported into Singapore are valued at at least $400 SGD. Sellers may need to add additional information to the customs forms on these packages and there may be additional taxes payable on import. Etsy will not apply GST to transactions where the goods are located in Singapore between Singapore sellers and Singapore buyers. We recommend that you speak to a tax advisor with experience in Singapore GST or reach out to IRAS directly for more information.
Etsy collects VAT on orders shipped to buyers in Switzerland. VAT applies whether the goods are dispatched from within or outside Switzerland, and regardless of their value. (Note: this is different from the rest of the EU/UK where we only collect on imports under a certain amount or dropship items).
Etsy automatically includes the tax in the buyer’s total. The buyer pays the tax at checkout, and Etsy remits it to the Swiss Tax Authority.
For orders placed through Standalone PayPal, Etsy sends the VAT collected to the seller as a part of the payment. Etsy adds the tax to the seller’s Etsy statement so that we can collect the tax remitted to the Swiss Tax Authority.
For orders imported into Switzerland with a VAT amount of more than 5 Swiss Francs, there are a few things you will need to do to ensure your buyer is not charged VAT a second time on delivery:
- Write Etsy’s name and VAT number on the package: Etsy - UID VAT: CHE-373.086.513
- Write the value of this order in Swiss Francs on the package: CHF [XXX.XX]
- Write the value of the VAT collected by Etsy on the package: CHF [XXX.XX]
- Ensure the postal carrier/courier transmits the correct data electronically with your package.
To ensure the postal carrier/courier transmits the correct data electronically:
Sending by postal service:
Provide Etsy’s name and Swiss VAT number (“Etsy - UID: CHE-373.086.513”) to your postal carrier. They should transfer this data via electronic advance data (M33/ITMATT).
Sending by other transporters or couriers:
Provide Etsy’s name and Swiss VAT number (“Etsy - UID: CHE-373.086.513”) to your carrier. Your carrier can then transfer this data in the EDI message as instructed by the delivery company at the time of booking.
If Etsy's Swiss VAT number is not passed to the carrier/postal operator correctly, the buyer may be charged VAT again at the time of delivery. The buyer may also be subject to customs duties and service charges imposed by the carrier, which must be paid by the buyer upon delivery.
Etsy collects VAT from buyers on orders that meet the following criteria:
- The buyer is located in the UK.*
- The goods are dispatched from outside the UK.
- The total value of the package (excluding delivery) is less than or equal to £135.
*Etsy is not obligated to collect VAT on shipments from the EU to Northern Ireland, or on shipments from Northern Ireland to other parts of the UK.
For eligible items under the £135 threshold, UK shoppers will see VAT-inclusive pricing when they view listings in search and browse, as well as on the listing page. The VAT amount seen before purchase is an approximate value. The final VAT amount will be calculated at checkout and will be applied to the full order total, which includes item price, shipping, and gift wrap charges.
In these cases, Etsy is solely responsible to collect and remit VAT to HMRC. Neither you nor the carriers should be collecting VAT from buyers under the £135 threshold. Learn more on the HMRC website .
We recommend sellers include the following information on the packages:
- Packing slip in the package with the separate VAT amount shown, which may appear under Tax
- Note on the packing slip: The item is under £135 and the marketplace, Etsy, will collect and remit the VAT to HMRC. Learn how to print a packing slip.
- If required by the shipping carrier, Etsy’s UK tax number 370 6004 28 can be placed on outside of the package. Etsy’s UK tax number should not be used for any other purposes.
Etsy will not collect VAT where the items being imported into the UK are valued at £135 or more. Sellers may need to add additional information to the customs forms on these packages and there may be additional taxes payable on import. Etsy will not apply VAT to transactions where the goods are located in the UK between UK sellers and UK buyers. We recommend that you speak to a tax advisor with experience in UK VAT or reach out to HMRC directly for more information.
Etsy collects VAT from UK buyers when the seller is located outside of the UK, but is shipping goods from within the UK (regardless of value).
If the item is being shipped from the UK, but the seller is located outside the UK, buyers will see VAT included on the item price at checkout.
You don’t need to register for VAT with HMRC for sales of items where Etsy is collecting the VAT, and there’s no requirement to upload tax certificates or any other tax information for these sales. However, you may be subject to other tax or legal requirements depending on your personal circumstances. Please consult a local tax professional for more information.
Etsy’s Seller Policy requires sellers to represent their listings as accurately as possible to ensure the correct VAT amount is charged on VAT eligible items. Learn more about listing items.
Goods arriving into the US
When goods are shipped into the US, the buyer (“Importer”) is responsible for any fees/taxes/duty that may accrue on the merchandise when it clears Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”).
If any duty is owed, a processing fee could be charged to the buyer by CBP or the carrier/postal operator for clearing the package.
Most paperwork for sending packages internationally has a section for providing CBP information. However, at a minimum it should include the following:
- Seller's name and address
- Description of the item(s) in English
- Quantity of each type of item being shipped
- Purchase price in US dollars
- Weight of the item(s)
- Country of origin of the product itself
Merchandise shipped through the international postal service is forwarded upon its arrival in the US to one of U.S. Customs and Border Protection International Mail Branches for clearance. If the item is less than $2,000 in value and is not subject to a quota or is not a restricted or prohibited item, a CBP official will usually prepare the paperwork for importing it, assess the proper duty, and release it for delivery.
Packages whose declared value is under $800 will generally be cleared without any additional paperwork prepared by CBP.
Learn about U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.
Good arriving into certain US states
Etsy will calculate, collect, and remit US sales tax for orders shipped to customers in US states that require it, no matter the location of the seller.
Goods sold within the EU
Customs duty is not applied on goods sold within the EU.
VAT may still be applicable and should be included in the purchase price at the time of sale. Since Etsy requires sellers to list their prices inclusive of VAT, the buyer shouldn’t have to pay any additional amounts other than the total price displayed at checkout.
If your annual distance sales are below €10,000
Sellers in the EU whose sales to other EU countries are below the €10,000 annual threshold do not have to charge foreign VAT on goods sold and shipped to other EU countries. Instead, you may have to charge your domestic VAT rate and report these sales in your regular domestic VAT return. Please contact your tax advisor should you have any queries regarding your tax affairs.
If your annual distance sales exceed €10,000.
As an EU seller, if your sales to other EU countries are above the €10,000 annual threshold, you’ll have the option to pay the VAT due across the EU in one VAT return, this is known as One-Stop Shop (OSS). You may also be required to separately report VAT on domestic sales in your home country. Once you register for OSS, you can add your OSS VAT number to your Etsy account. Please contact your tax advisor should you have any queries regarding your tax affairs.
If you are not located in the EU but ship from within the EU
Etsy collects VAT when the seller is located outside of the EU, but is shipping goods that are within the EU (regardless of value). If the item is being shipped from the EU, but the seller is located outside the EU, buyers will see VAT included on the item price at checkout.
Goods arriving into EU from non-EU country
VAT and or Customs Duty may apply to the order.
The amount of customs duty will be assessed at the point of entry of the destination country. This may result in the buyer having to pay additional charges which are not included in the total price displayed at checkout. Customs duty only applies to goods where the value exceeds €150.
Etsy collects VAT from EU buyers on orders that meet the following criteria:
- The purchase is for a physical item
- The item is delivered to a location in the EU
- The goods are dispatched from outside the EU
- The total value of the package (including gift wrap but excluding delivery) is less than or equal to €150
VAT is applied to the full order total which includes item price, postage, and gift wrap charges.
If you’re sending a package to the EU from a non-EU country that is less than or equal to €150, you’ll need to make sure Etsy’s IOSS number is electronically transmitted by your shipping provider. This number can be found next to VAT-eligible orders on your Orders & Shipping page or your order confirmation emails.
When you purchase shipping labels on Etsy, the IOSS number is automatically transmitted for you. Etsy’s IOSS number will not be displayed on the shipping label you purchased on Etsy.
If you purchase shipping outside of Etsy, check with your shipping provider to make sure they transmit this number electronically when they process your shipment. This tax number should not be written on the package. However, make sure the net amount of the order is displayed on the front of the package in Euro. The Euro amount may either be printed on the label or hand-written by you on the package
For packages imported into the EU with a value more than €150, VAT (and customs) will be collected from the buyer upon delivery by the postal carrier.
Since each postal carrier may have different processes, it's best to check with your shipping provider to know exactly what process you should be following.
The IOSS number is different from the tariff code. You may be required to add a tariff code to shipments into the EU. Learn more about tariff codes.
Other countries may also apply customs duty and/or VAT on goods purchased from another country. As the threshold for the application of such charges may vary from country to country, please contact your local customs/ tax office and local tax advisor for further information.
Etsy is not responsible for the collection or determination of any custom duties or VAT costs for the countries listed below, so we recommend that you check individual tax authority websites for more information:
Depending on your country and tax situation, you may be required to remit and report on VAT to your country’s tax authority.
Here are answers to some common questions about VAT:
For information on VAT requirements in your location, please consult your local tax authority or a licensed professional.
If you are a VAT registered seller, you may be required to charge VAT on the items that you sell on the Etsy platform.
Learn more about how VAT/GST works on digital items and physical items.
You can add or update your VAT ID in Shop Manager:
- On Etsy.com, go to Your Account, then Shop Manager.
- Go to Finances.
- Select VAT ID.
- Enter your VAT ID.
- Select Submit.
VAT IDs have specific formats and European VAT IDs can be checked on the European Commission website for validity.
Depending on your business status and location, Etsy may be required to collect VAT on seller fees accrued each month and remit it to the relevant tax authority.
Etsy may also need to collect VAT on Etsy Payments processing fees for sellers located in eligible Etsy Payments countries where required.
Etsy provides downloadable VAT invoices to sellers in Australia, Canada, the EU, India, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, and Ukraine.
VAT invoices will be available on the first of each month for the previous month’s statement.
You can access your VAT invoice in your Payment account. Once there, click on the month to get an invoice for that period. The download link will appear above the breakdown of your activity for the month.