Etsy tracking

Online marketplace facilitating delivery between sellers and buyers

Etsy is a global online marketplace connecting independent sellers and buyers from around the world. Logistically, Etsy acts as a delivery facilitator, although it is not a physical carrier. Unlike some large e-commerce sites with their own warehouse and delivery networks, Etsy does not directly handle the transportation of products. Each seller is responsible for packaging and shipping their items, but Etsy provides the infrastructure and tools necessary to simplify this process. The platform centralizes delivery information, offers integrations with carriers, and ensures the communication of tracking updates to buyers, thus playing a pivotal role in the logistics chain without actually transporting the packages itself.

Etsy provides several features to optimize order shipping. Sellers can set up shipping profiles, automatically calculate shipping costs, and purchase shipping labels through Etsy, all from their shop management space. These integrated logistics tools streamline the order processing flow, manage delivery options, and easily keep customers informed of shipment progress. By offering these services, Etsy establishes itself as a full-fledged logistics player in the shopping experience: although it does not transport the package itself, the platform coordinates and tracks its journey from the seller to the buyer.

Carrier network and shipping options

To transport orders, Etsy relies on a network of recognized carriers. Sellers based in certain countries can purchase shipping labels directly on Etsy, benefiting from negotiated rates and immediate tracking integration. The partner carriers covered by label purchases through Etsy include:

• United States: USPS, UPS, FedEx
• Canada: Canada Post
• United Kingdom: Royal Mail, Evri
• Australia: Australia Post

Once a label is purchased for an order, Etsy automatically marks it as shipped and transmits the tracking information to the customer. Using Etsy shipping labels not only saves time (printing at home, avoiding trips to the post office) but also saves money thanks to discounts obtained on shipping rates.

In countries where the Etsy label service is not available, sellers can purchase their postage from the carrier of their choice as usual. Etsy has expanded its logistics offering by partnering with third-party shipping platforms to cover more markets. For example, in France, partnerships have been established with Sendcloud and Packlink, giving sellers simplified access to over 100 carriers and automation tools for sending their packages. Similarly, in Canada and the United States, solutions such as Chit Chats or ShipStation/Shippo can be connected to Etsy shops to manage shipments across multiple sales channels. These logistics collaborations allow each seller to choose the shipping method best suited to their needs while remaining integrated into the Etsy ecosystem.

Order management and shipping notifications

Each product listing on Etsy indicates a processing time, which is the time required for the seller to prepare the order before shipping. The seller must ship the item within this timeframe to meet the expected shipping date. Once the order is ready, they proceed with the physical shipment of the package via the chosen carrier, then update the order status on Etsy to indicate the shipment.

Marking an order as shipped (completing the order) on Etsy triggers the sending of a shipping notification to the buyer and changes the order status in the system. If the seller uses a shipping label purchased through Etsy, the order is automatically moved to completed orders once the label is generated, and the buyer is notified on the indicated shipping date that the package has been shipped. In the case of a shipment managed outside of Etsy, the seller must manually complete the order after handing the package over to the carrier. They can then enter the actual shipping date, add an informational message for the customer, and provide a tracking number if available. Etsy recommends that sellers regularly schedule time to process orders, prepare shipments, and keep buyers informed of progress to ensure an optimal delivery experience.

Features to optimize shipping

The platform offers a set of tools and options to help sellers efficiently manage their shipments. First, shipping profiles allow saving shipping settings (processing times, countries served, rates, etc.) and reusing them on multiple items, thus avoiding re-entering this information for each product listing. For sellers located in the United States or Canada, a shipping cost calculator is available: based on the buyer's address and the package's dimensions/weight, Etsy automatically calculates the postage cost for each order. This allows displaying accurate shipping costs to customers at the time of order, without underestimation or overcharging.

Moreover, the integrated Etsy shipping label tool greatly simplifies the logistical work of sellers in eligible countries. In just a few clicks, a seller can purchase and print a label for their order, with the carrier of their choice among those offered. The tracking number is then automatically attached to the order and communicated to the buyer, and the order is marked as shipped immediately. Purchasing through Etsy provides access to reduced shipping rates thanks to agreements with carriers, often allowing for cheaper shipping than going directly through the post office or the carrier's website. Additionally, postage fees are directly deducted from the seller's Etsy payment account, consolidating transactions (no need to create accounts with each carrier).

Etsy strongly encourages sellers to provide a tracking number for each shipment. Valid tracking reassures the buyer and allows the platform to automatically display the package's progress. Moreover, adding tracking (or using Etsy labels with integrated tracking) is part of the best practices highlighted by Etsy, and it is even a criterion considered in the sales protection program. At the same time, Etsy offers sellers with more advanced needs integrations with third-party shipping software. For example, a seller operating on multiple sales platforms can connect their Etsy shop to services like ShipStation, Shippo, Sendcloud, or Packlink to automatically import their Etsy orders into a single dashboard and print all their shipping labels from there. This flexibility helps manage a large volume of shipments while avoiding errors, as tracking information and status changes are synchronized between the external system and Etsy.

Tracking process and status updates

To inform stakeholders, Etsy uses a series of standardized statuses for order tracking. As soon as an order is shipped by the seller (or marked as such on the site), its status changes from Not Shipped to one of the planned shipping statuses: Shipped, Pre-transit, In Transit, or Delivered. These indications inform the buyer about where their package is in the process. For example, the Pre-transit status means that the seller has already generated a tracking label and that the package will soon be picked up by the carrier, while In Transit indicates that the package is on its way to its destination. Finally, Delivered confirms the successful receipt of the package by the buyer.

These tracking statuses are automatically updated as soon as information is received from the carrier. The seller does not need (nor has the ability) to manually change the status once the order is shipped: the Etsy system updates the display based on scans and delivery events. Therefore, if a package is delivered but the status remains stuck on "In Transit," for example, it is simply a display lag that does not affect the completion of the transaction (the seller will be paid, and the buyer can still leave a review).

Furthermore, not all shipments necessarily benefit from full tracking. Some economical shipping methods or certain international carriers do not offer traceability once the package is shipped. Thus, an order may be marked "Shipped" without a tracking number and remain at this status until actual delivery. If no tracking has been provided for a shipment, the buyer is invited to contact the seller for any questions, as suggested by the Etsy Help Center.

In cases where a tracking number is provided but the chosen carrier is not supported by the Etsy system, tracking will not be displayed dynamically on the order page. However, Etsy displays the tracking number in the order details (receipt), allowing the buyer to directly check the shipment on the concerned carrier's website. Additionally, for international shipments, it is not uncommon for tracking to temporarily freeze once the package leaves the shipping country. For example, a package shipped abroad may no longer show movement after departure, then see its status updated all at once upon arrival in the destination country. This behavior is normal and does not mean that tracking is lost: it simply reflects the differences in connectivity between countries' postal systems. Hence the importance of waiting or checking directly on the destination country's national carrier's website in case of doubt.

International shipments and regional specifics

Etsy's delivery logistics may vary depending on the region of the world, based on transportation infrastructure and local regulations. Etsy thus adapts some of its offerings to account for these differences. For example, for sellers based in India, Etsy has partnered with a provider named Yakit to offer the purchase of local shipping labels. These sellers can obtain DHL Express labels for heavy international shipments directly through Etsy or use more economical options like DTDC Asendia services for sending light packages. The logistics here include specifics, such as mandatory scheduled pickup of packages by the carrier rather than drop-off at the post office, for courier services like DHL Express.

In Europe, the main challenge lies in customs and tax formalities for cross-border shipments. Since 2021, Etsy automatically collects VAT on sales to the European Union below a certain threshold and provides sellers with a unique IOSS (Import One-Stop Shop) number. This number, visible on the Etsy order page and in the confirmation email, must be provided to the carrier during shipping to declare the VAT already paid. Using the IOSS avoids the customer having to pay import taxes upon delivery, thus speeding up customs clearance and improving the reception experience. Etsy specifies that this IOSS number must be transmitted electronically to the carrier rather than noted on the package to ensure its correct use in the postal flow.

In general, sellers shipping internationally are responsible for completing the required customs documents. When purchasing an international shipping label through Etsy, they are asked to provide the nature, value, and weight of each item to generate the compliant customs declaration for the package. Proper declaration of this information helps prevent border delays. It should also be noted that any customs or import fees applied upon arrival in the destination country remain the buyer's responsibility. Etsy reminds that if a buyer refuses or delays paying these fees upon delivery, causing a return or delay, the order will not fall under its purchase protection. Compliance with local customs rules and transparency about potential fees are therefore essential aspects of Etsy's international logistics.

Integrated tracking and user experience

From the buyer's side, Etsy seamlessly integrates delivery tracking into the purchase journey. The buyer can check the shipping status of their order online at any time, either via their Etsy account on the website or from the mobile app. On the Purchases page, each order displays an updated delivery status on the right (e.g., In Transit or Delivered) as well as an estimated delivery date to indicate when the package should arrive. Etsy also sends proactive notifications: as soon as the seller marks the item as shipped, a shipping confirmation email is sent to the buyer containing the shipment details.

If the seller has used an Etsy partner carrier and provided a tracking number, the buyer will see a Track Package button next to the order. By clicking on it, they access a detailed tracking page with information provided by the carrier (departures, sorting centers, out for delivery, etc.), all without leaving the platform. Similarly, the tracking link is included in the notification email, offering another way to access delivery information. In cases where the carrier is not directly supported by Etsy, no button is displayed, but the tracking number remains accessible in the order receipt, and the buyer can track their package using this number on the concerned carrier's website.

Once delivery is completed and the status changes to Delivered, Etsy invites the buyer to evaluate their experience by leaving a review of the product and the seller. This review collection process is automatically triggered by the delivery confirmation. Note that buyers who placed an order as guests (without creating an Etsy account) also receive tracking and shipping confirmation emails and can track their order via a special link in these emails. Thus, the Etsy tracking chain is designed to keep every buyer informed, whether or not they use an Etsy account, ensuring a consistent and transparent user experience until final receipt.

Logistics initiatives and purchase protection

Beyond operational aspects, Etsy has developed initiatives to secure and improve transaction logistics. One of the most notable is the Etsy Purchase Protection Program, which covers certain delivery contingencies. For example, if an eligible package is lost in transit or arrives damaged, Etsy can directly compensate the buyer while the seller retains the proceeds of their sale. This protection applies provided the seller has met their logistical obligations, including shipping the order within the announced timeframe and providing valid tracking or using an Etsy label for the shipment. In the event of non-delivery despite compliant shipping, Etsy thus covers the buyer's refund, avoiding the seller's financial loss related to the dispute.

Furthermore, return management is left to the discretion of each seller on Etsy, which is part of the differences compared to more centralized platforms. Etsy encourages sellers to clearly indicate their return policy and associated conditions in their shop. It is advised, for example, to specify whether returns are accepted and if so, who bears the cost of returning the package (the seller or the buyer). This transparency helps avoid misunderstandings and ensures effective resolution in case of merchandise return.

Etsy also seeks to align its logistical practices with modern e-commerce expectations. This includes encouraging free shipping when possible. Studies conducted by Etsy show that a reduced or zero shipping price can significantly increase the chances of making a sale. In this regard, Etsy has implemented a free shipping guarantee feature for shipments to the United States, allowing sellers offering free shipping (beyond a certain purchase threshold) to benefit from additional product visibility in search results. In summary, Etsy encourages logistical practices that streamline the customer experience: fast and trackable shipments, explicit return policy, and if possible, no shipping costs for the buyer. These elements contribute to overall user satisfaction and the marketplace's reputation for reliability.

Descriptions of delivery statuses