Crafter Story

How to Ship International Orders on Etsy and eBay

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Crafter Story Team

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Since 2025, the rules for shipping across borders have changed more than at any point in the last decade. The old duty-free exemption most small sellers relied on is gone, and the paperwork requirements are stricter than they used to be.

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Table of Contents

Introduction

International orders used to be one of the easiest ways for a small shop to grow past its home market. Fill out a short customs slip, hand the package to a carrier, and a buyer three time zones away gets their order a week or two later.

That part hasn’t changed. What has changed is everything around it: which forms are required, how much detail they need, and whether a buyer’s order arrives duty-free at all. Etsy’s own help center and the U.S. Postal Service have both updated their guidance to reflect it.

This guide walks through what changed, why it matters for a shop shipping internationally right now, and the specific steps to set up international orders so they clear customs instead of getting stuck there.

Why Most Sellers Get International Shipping Wrong

Most sellers treat the customs form as an afterthought: a box to check on the way to printing a label. That’s the habit that causes delays, returned packages, and angry buyers.

The customs form isn’t paperwork attached to the shipment. It is the legal declaration that determines whether the destination country lets the package through, what it gets taxed, and who is responsible if the declaration is wrong. Rushing it, guessing at values, or copying the same vague description onto every label is how packages end up held at a border facility for weeks.

What Actually Changed in International Shipping and Customs

The biggest shift: the exemption that used to let low-value shipments cross borders duty-free is gone in most of the world’s largest markets.

For years, a package worth less than a certain amount could enter many countries without the buyer paying import duty. Sellers priced international shipping assuming most orders would clear that way. That assumption no longer holds.

In the United States, an executive order suspended the de minimis duty exemption for low-value shipments effective August 29, 2025, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection has confirmed enforcement of that change. Packages that once entered the U.S. duty-free based on their value can now be subject to duty regardless of price.

The European Union followed with its own version. Starting July 1, 2026, the European Commission removed the exemption that previously let goods valued at €150 or less enter EU countries duty-free, replacing it with a flat charge per item during a transition period.

On top of the duty change, the paperwork itself got more detailed. Since September 2025, USPS has strongly recommended a six-digit Harmonized System (HS) code on the customs declaration for international commercial shipments, per USPS’s own advisory. A generic item description that used to be good enough, like “jewelry,” “clothing,” or “home decor,” is no longer reliable on its own.

None of this means selling internationally stopped making sense. It means a seller who still prices and describes shipments the old way is more likely to see delays, unexpected duty bills, and frustrated buyers than a seller who adjusts for the current rules.

Step-by-Step: Setting Up International Shipping the Right Way

Here’s how to set up international orders so they’re accurate instead of a guessing game.

Step 1: Decide which countries you’re actually ready to ship to

What: Start with a short list of destination countries instead of opening shipping to the entire world.

Why: Customs requirements, average transit time, and duty exposure vary by country. A shop that only ships to two or three well-understood destinations can give buyers accurate expectations. A shop that ships everywhere with the same generic settings usually can’t.

How: In your Etsy or eBay shipping settings, enable specific countries or regions rather than a global “ships worldwide” default. Expand the list only after you’ve handled a few orders to each destination without issues.

Step 2: Fill out the customs declaration with real detail

What: Every field on the customs form (item description, quantity, value, and country of origin) should reflect the actual contents of the box.

Why: A vague or inaccurate declaration is the single most common reason a package gets held. Under USPS’s current guidance, a specific HS code or a genuinely detailed item description (not just a category name) helps a package move through customs instead of sitting in it.

How: Look up your product’s HS code using the U.S. International Trade Commission’s tariff database if you’re shipping from the U.S., or describe the item specifically enough that customs staff in the destination country don’t have to guess. Write “hand-knit wool scarf,” not “accessory.”

Step 3: Decide who pays the duty, and say so in the listing

What: Duties on an international order are billed either to you (the seller, at the time of shipping) or to the buyer (on delivery, before they can collect the package), depending on the shipping method and carrier account you use.

Why: A buyer who receives a surprise customs bill at their door is far more likely to leave a negative review or refuse the package than one who knew about it before checkout.

How: State your international shipping terms directly in the listing or shop policies. For example: “international buyers are responsible for any customs duties or import taxes charged by their country.” This single sentence prevents most disputes.

Step 4: Price international shipping to reflect the real cost

What: International shipping rates should account for the carrier’s actual international rate table, not a flat markup on your domestic rate.

Why: Underpricing international shipping to look competitive is one of the fastest ways to lose money on cross-border orders, especially now that duty and paperwork requirements add friction that domestic orders don’t have. This ties directly into how you calculate true profit margins after marketplace fees. International orders need their own line in that math, not an average.

How: Check your carrier’s current international rate chart by weight and zone before setting a price, the same way you’d approach setting up flat-rate shipping domestically. Build in a buffer for the extra handling time customs declarations take.

Step 5: Set expectations with the buyer before they check out

What: Tell international buyers, in plain language, what to expect: estimated delivery window, who pays duty, and that customs delays are possible and outside your control.

Why: Most negative reviews tied to international orders come from a mismatch between what the buyer expected and what happened, not from the delay itself. This is the same principle behind responding to a negative review: most of the friction is preventable earlier in the process.

How: Add a short international shipping note to your shop policies or the listing description itself, and keep it up to date as carrier timelines or customs rules shift.

Common Mistakes and Advanced Nuances

Under-declaring the value to help the buyer avoid duty. This is a customs violation, not a workaround, and it puts the accuracy of every future declaration you file under more scrutiny. Etsy’s help center states plainly that sellers are responsible for the accuracy of everything on a customs form.

Marking a paid sale as a “gift.” Customs authorities look for this specifically, and it doesn’t change whether the item is dutiable. It only adds a false statement to the declaration.

Reusing one generic description for every product type. A description detailed enough for a wooden cutting board is not detailed enough for a scented candle or a printed T-shirt. Each listing’s customs description should match that specific item.

Ignoring restricted or prohibited items by destination. Some countries restrict specific materials (certain woods, animal products, batteries, liquids). Check the destination country’s restrictions before adding it to your shippable list, not after a package gets seized.

Not planning for refused or returned packages. If a buyer refuses to pay duty, the package is typically returned to the sender or destroyed, depending on the carrier and country. Decide your refund policy for this scenario in advance, the same way you’d plan for a lost or delayed domestic package, so you’re not deciding it in the moment with an upset buyer.

This article is provided for general informational purposes only and is not legal, tax, or customs advice. Duty rates, exemption thresholds, and documentation requirements vary by country and change without much notice. Confirm current requirements with the destination country’s customs authority, your carrier, or a licensed customs broker before shipping.

Tools and Resources

  • Etsy’s built-in international shipping labels: generates a combined shipping label and customs form when you buy postage directly through Etsy. Free with label purchase.
  • USPS Customs Forms Online: lets you complete and print a customs form ahead of a Post Office visit. Free. Available through usps.com.
  • U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule search: the USITC’s HTS database for looking up a product’s HS code. Free.
  • eBay’s international shipping program: an optional program that can simplify customs handling for U.S.-to-international eBay sales. Review eBay’s current seller terms before enrolling, since program details change.

A Realistic Example: Pricing an Order After the Rule Changes

Here’s an illustrative example of how the math shifts. A seller lists a $45 handmade item and used to assume most international orders under the old duty-free threshold would arrive without extra charges to the buyer. Under the current rules, that same order can be subject to duty on arrival, regardless of its price.

If the seller’s listing and shop policies already stated that the buyer covers any customs duty, this is a non-event: the buyer expected it, pays it on delivery, and the transaction proceeds normally. If the listing said nothing about duty, the buyer is caught off guard by a bill they didn’t budget for, and the seller absorbs the cost in the form of a return, a refused package, or a review that mentions “hidden fees,” even though the seller didn’t set the duty rate.

The product and the price didn’t change. What changed the outcome was whether the buyer knew what to expect before checkout.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to fill out a customs form for every international order?

Yes. Any package crossing an international border requires a customs declaration, whether that’s a standalone form or a combined label-and-form generated through Etsy, eBay, or your carrier’s shipping tool.

Who pays the customs duties on an international order, me or the buyer?

It depends on the shipping method you choose and what you state in your shop policies. Many small sellers ship on terms where the buyer pays any duty on delivery, but this should be stated clearly in the listing so it isn’t a surprise.

What is the de minimis exemption, and does it still apply in 2026?

It was a rule that let low-value shipments enter certain countries without duty. The U.S. suspended its version of this exemption by executive order effective August 29, 2025, and the European Union removed its €150 exemption starting July 1, 2026, so sellers shipping to either region should no longer assume small orders arrive duty-free.

Do I need a Harmonized System (HS) code on every customs form?

USPS has strongly recommended a six-digit HS code on international commercial shipment declarations since September 2025. Some other carriers still accept a sufficiently detailed item description in place of a code, but including the code reduces the chance of a delay.

How much does international shipping typically cost compared to domestic?

It varies widely by destination, carrier, weight, and package dimensions. Check your specific carrier’s current international rate chart rather than assuming a fixed multiple of your domestic rate.

What happens if a package gets stuck in customs?

The carrier or the destination country’s customs office typically holds it until required paperwork, duty payment, or clarification is provided. Keep your customs declarations detailed and accurate on the front end to reduce how often this happens.

Should I ship to every country or limit which ones I sell to internationally?

Start with a short list of countries you understand well, then expand gradually. Shipping everywhere by default, with the same generic settings, is where most avoidable customs problems start.

Can I mark an item as a gift to avoid customs fees?

No. Declaring a paid sale as a gift is inaccurate on the customs form, and it doesn’t exempt the item from duty in most destination countries. It only puts an incorrect statement on an official document.

What if a buyer refuses to pay customs fees and the package is returned?

Decide this policy before it happens. Depending on the carrier and destination, a refused package is typically returned to the sender or destroyed. Your shop’s refund policy should say clearly what happens to the buyer’s payment in that case.

Do Etsy and eBay handle customs forms the same way?

Both platforms support printing a combined shipping label and customs declaration when you buy international postage through their systems, but the specific fields and integrated carrier options differ. Check each platform’s current shipping settings rather than assuming they match.

How do I find the right HS code for my product?

For U.S.-based sellers, the USITC’s Harmonized Tariff Schedule search tool is the standard free reference. If you’re unsure which code fits, a detailed, specific item description is the fallback most carriers still accept.

Does this still apply if I’m a small, part-time seller?

Yes. The rule changes apply based on the shipment and its declared value and origin, not the size of the business sending it. A single-item shop shipping one international order a month follows the same customs requirements as a larger operation.

Key Takeaways

  • The duty-free exemption most sellers relied on for low-value international orders has been suspended in the U.S. since August 2025 and scaled back in the EU since July 2026.
  • USPS has strongly recommended a six-digit HS code on international commercial customs forms since September 2025.
  • State clearly in your listings and shop policies who pays any customs duty. This single disclosure prevents most international order disputes.
  • Vague or inaccurate customs descriptions are the most common cause of a package getting held at the border.
  • Start international shipping with a short list of countries you understand well, then expand.
  • Decide your policy for refused or returned international packages before you need it.
  • Price international shipping against your carrier’s actual rate chart, not a flat markup on domestic rates.

The Bottom Line

International orders are still worth offering. The sellers running into trouble right now aren’t the ones who ship internationally. They’re the ones still pricing and declaring those orders under rules that no longer apply.

Start with one destination country, fill out the customs form with real detail, and put your duty policy in writing before your next international order ships. See How Other Sellers Handle Shipping Challenges, or keep building your shipping process with a look at cutting shipping costs as a small marketplace seller.

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About This Research

Crafter Story Team is the editorial team behind Crafter Story, a publication for marketplace sellers on Etsy, eBay, Amazon, TikTok Shop, Facebook Marketplace, Poshmark, Depop, and Shopify.

This guide is based on current published guidance from USPS, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the European Commission, and Etsy’s own seller help center, verified as of the article’s publish date below. It is not a substitute for official customs guidance specific to your shipment.

Content reviewed and updated: 2026-09-08

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Crafter Story is a community publication for marketplace sellers, built from real submitted stories alongside editorial guides like this one. See How Other Sellers Handle Shipping Challenges.

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