International Shipping on Etsy: Customs Forms Explained

Etsy customs forms are the customs declaration details that travel with your international label, telling border agencies what’s inside, what it’s worth, and where it was made. Getting them right matters because unclear or inconsistent info can trigger delays, returns, or extra fees for your buyer. The essentials are simple: use specific item descriptions (not “gift” or “craft supplies”), enter an accurate declared value and weight for each line item, and add the correct country of origin and HS code when required by the destination or carrier. One small wording choice, like describing materials and use, often makes the difference between smooth clearance and a stuck parcel.

International shipping labels on Etsy: Etsy Labels vs Global Postal Shipping

When Etsy routes a label through Global Postal Shipping

In the U.S., Etsy may route certain international Etsy Labels through Global Postal Shipping (Etsy’s cross-border program). When that happens, you are not printing a label that goes directly to your buyer’s country. You are printing a USPS domestic label addressed to a nearby processing center run by Etsy’s Global Postal Shipping partner (currently Asendia USA). From there, the package is inducted into the international network and delivered by postal services and carrier partners.

From a seller standpoint, the biggest “tell” is simple: multiple orders can show the same destination address on the label because they are all headed to the processing center, not to the final buyer. Your label still includes the buyer/order details so you can match each package correctly.

What happens after you purchase and print a label

After you buy the label in Shop Manager, you package the order and attach the label like any other USPS shipment. Then you hand it to USPS (pickup or drop-off). USPS handles the first leg to the processing center.

If you are used to attaching separate customs paperwork, Global Postal Shipping is different. Etsy captures the customs information during label purchase and handles the customs documentation for you as part of the program. For the official flow and eligibility notes, Etsy’s Help article on Global Postal Shipping labels is the most reliable reference.

Tracking numbers and scanning events to expect

Tracking on Global Postal Shipping often looks “busier” than a single-carrier shipment. You may see:

• A USPS acceptance scan (or other early USPS scans) for the domestic leg to the processing center.
• A handoff milestone when the processing center receives the package.
• A separate customs ID created as the package prepares to leave the U.S., which can also be used for tracking in some cases.
• Periods where tracking appears quiet between countries, then updates again on arrival in the destination country.

Etsy typically combines these legs so you can follow the full journey in your order details, and it may show as “Tracked on Etsy” for buyers.

Creating an international Etsy shipment from order to drop-off

Confirming the buyer address and phone requirements

Before you buy an international Etsy shipping label, double-check the Ship to address for completeness and formatting. Pay extra attention to apartment/unit numbers, postal codes, and province or state fields. Even small issues like missing unit numbers or unsupported characters can cause label errors or delivery problems.

Phone numbers are a common sticking point in international shipping. Etsy does not always require a buyer phone number for every label, but some carriers and some countries expect one for delivery scheduling, customs contact, or SMS updates. If the order does not include a phone number and your selected service asks for it, message the buyer right away and add it where your carrier’s label flow allows.

Selecting package type, weight, and dimensions

Accurate package details are not busywork. They drive pricing, service eligibility, and fewer surprises like postage-due corrections later.

When you purchase a label, choose the package type that matches your packaging, then enter:

• Weight (packed item, including packing materials)
• Length, width, and height (outer dimensions of the final package)

If you ship similar boxes often, save a package preset so you are not retyping dimensions for every Etsy order.

Where the customs form appears during label purchase

On Etsy, the customs form is not a separate document you hunt down later. It appears as Customs details during the label purchase flow, after you enter package details and before you pick and review the final service.

This is where you’ll enter the customs description and value for each item, plus any optional fields like a tariff number. Etsy’s step-by-step label flow (including the customs details step) is outlined in How to Purchase Shipping Labels on Etsy.

Customs form fields Etsy asks for and how to fill them

Accurate item description, quantity, and materials

The most important customs field is the customs description. It should be plain English and specific enough that a customs officer can picture the item without guessing. “Necklace” beats “jewelry.” “Handmade silver necklace with glass pendant” is even better.

Etsy may pre-fill customs details from your listing info, but you still need to review it carefully. For single-item orders, Etsy can auto-fill the customs description from the item title (as long as it’s under a character limit), and you can edit it before you buy the label. Etsy also limits how many line items you can list on the form, so bundled orders may need smart grouping (for example, “cotton scrunchies” with a quantity) instead of repeating identical lines.

Include:

• Quantity that matches what’s physically in the package
• Materials when it helps clarify what the item is (wood, cotton, sterling silver, ceramic)

Avoid vague terms like “gift,” “accessory,” “sample,” or “craft item.”

Declared value, currency, and gift or sale selection

Declared value should reflect the real item price the buyer paid for the goods (not a made-up “low value” to reduce taxes). Etsy generally calculates the declared value from the order’s item totals and quantity, and it does not include shipping charges or sales tax in that declared value calculation. Review it for coupons, bundles, and multi-quantity orders so it stays accurate.

If you see a choice like gift vs merchandise/sale, choose the option that matches reality. Most Etsy shipments are merchandise. Marking a paid order as a gift can create customs issues, especially if the paperwork and payment trail do not match.

Country of origin and where to find it

Country of origin means where the product was made or manufactured, not where it’s shipping from. For handmade goods, this is usually where you made the finished item. For sourced components or resale items, it’s the country where the product was manufactured.

If you’re unsure, the most practical places to confirm are:

• Your supplier invoice or product packaging
• The manufacturer’s product listing or spec sheet
• For vintage, your best documented good-faith determination (and keep notes)

Etsy’s guidance on customs descriptions, declared value, and country of origin is summarized in its Information for Managing International Shipments.

Tariff codes on Etsy customs forms: HS codes and when to use them

What Etsy means by tariff number

On Etsy customs forms, tariff number usually means an HS code (Harmonized System code). It’s the standardized product classification number customs uses to assess duties, taxes, and restrictions.

You’ll see HS codes written as 6 digits (HS6) and sometimes extended to 8 or 10 digits for more detail. In practice, HS6 is the universal baseline, and longer codes are often country-specific extensions.

When should you use a tariff number on Etsy? Use it any time Etsy asks for it, and strongly consider adding it for smoother processing in countries that rely on HS codes heavily. Since July 1, 2021, tariff numbers have been required for packages shipped to the European Union, and missing codes can lead to delays or returns. Etsy explains this requirement in its Seller Handbook guidance on EU tariff numbers.

A few practical tips before you enter anything:

• Match the HS code to the actual item being shipped, not the category your shop is in.
• Don’t guess if you’re unsure. Use a reputable lookup resource like the U.S. Department of Commerce overview of HS codes or your carrier’s guidance.
• Keep your HS codes consistent for the same product over time, unless you learn your original classification was wrong.

Examples of good customs descriptions by product type

Good HS codes start with good descriptions. Here are customs description examples that typically work well:

• Jewelry: “Sterling silver necklace with glass pendant”
• Apparel: “Cotton knit baby onesie”
• Home decor: “Handmade ceramic mug”
• Stationery: “Printed paper greeting cards”
• Craft supplies: “Glass seed beads for jewelry making”
• Bath and body: “Scented soy wax candle in glass jar”

Printing and attaching Etsy customs forms correctly

What prints automatically with an international label

When you buy an international shipping label through Etsy, the customs paperwork is generated from the Customs details you entered during label purchase. What you physically print depends on the service and destination.

In many cases, you’ll get a single-page form that prints with your label and can be attached directly to the outside of the package. For some services, Etsy will generate a multi-page customs set. Those pages need to go in a clear pouch, not taped loosely to the box, so they stay readable and protected in transit. Etsy notes this single-page vs multi-page difference in its guidance on international shipping customs information.

Editing pre-filled customs details before printing

Etsy may pre-fill descriptions, quantities, and weights using your listing and order details. Treat that as a starting point, not a final answer.

Before you print, review every line item for:

• A clear, specific description (not “gift” or “accessory”)
• Correct quantities for multi-quantity orders
• Accurate weights and values that match what’s actually in the parcel

If anything is off, edit it in the customs fields during the label flow. It is much easier to fix it before the label is printed than after a package is already moving.

Multiple items and how they appear on the form

For multi-item orders, Etsy lists customs details as line items. If you ship a bundle, pay attention to how items are grouped and named so it still makes sense to customs.

One practical limitation to know: Etsy allows up to five items to appear on the customs form. If your order has more than five distinct products, you may need to consolidate similar items into clear, accurate lines (for example, “paper stickers, assorted designs” with the correct total quantity) while keeping the declared value truthful.

Seller responsibilities, common customs issues, and support options

Who pays duties and taxes (DDU vs DDP basics)

Most Etsy international shipments are effectively DDU/DAP (Delivered Duty Unpaid/Delivered At Place). That means the buyer may need to pay import VAT, duties, and a handling fee before delivery. If you ship DDP (Delivered Duty Paid), those costs are prepaid and the buyer should not be asked to pay again at delivery.

Etsy can also collect certain taxes at checkout in specific situations (for example, UK VAT on qualifying low-value imports). In those cases, your job is to make sure the shipment includes the tax details your carrier needs, so the buyer doesn’t get charged twice. Etsy explains the process and the “what to enter where” details in Custom Fees and Physical VAT Collection.

Common errors that trigger customs delays or returns

Customs delays usually come from avoidable paperwork mismatches, such as:

• Vague descriptions like “gift,” “accessory,” or “samples”
• Declared value that doesn’t match the order (especially after discounts or bundles)
• Missing or incorrect HS codes on destinations that require them
• Country of origin left blank or clearly wrong
• Address issues (missing postal code, province, or unit number)

Another common issue is a buyer refusing delivery after unexpected duty charges. That can lead to a return-to-sender or disposal, depending on the destination’s rules.

Refunds, reprints, and what to do if tracking stalls

If you made a mistake on a label, don’t “edit” the printed label. Request a refund (if eligible) and buy a new one. Etsy’s eligibility windows vary by carrier and the label must be unused. The official steps are in How to Refund Shipping Labels Purchased Through Etsy.

If tracking stalls, first confirm you have an acceptance scan. Then expect quiet periods during the export and customs handoff. For Global Postal Shipping, Etsy may show a customs ID that becomes usable once the parcel is prepared to leave the U.S., and Etsy combines events across carriers in your order’s tracking view.