Mastering Etsy Fees: A Complete Guide for Beginners

Mastering Etsy Fees: A Complete Guide for Beginners

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Understanding Etsy's Fee Structure 2.1 Listing Fees 2.2 Transaction Fees 2.3 Credit Card Processing Fees 2.4 Advertising and Promotional Fees 2.5 Subscription Fees 2.6 Shipping Labels
3. How to Find and Track Fees on Etsy 3.1 Finances Payment Account Screen 3.2 Monthly Statement and CSV Download 3.3 Order CSV 3.4 Marketing and Stats Screen
4. Tips for Managing Etsy Fees 4.1 Budgeting for Fees 4.2 Pricing Products Appropriately 4.3 Recording Fees for Tax Deductions
5. Conclusion

Understanding Etsy's Fee Structure

Etsy is a popular platform for handmade sellers and makers to start and scale their online businesses. However, navigating Etsy's fee structure can be confusing for many sellers. In this article, we will break down the various fees charged by Etsy and provide you with a clear understanding of what you can expect as an Etsy shop owner.

Listing Fees

When you list a new product or renew a sold item on Etsy, you are charged a listing fee of 20 cents. This fee applies each time you list or renew an item. To view your listing fees, you can go to your finances payment account screen and click on the fees section. Additionally, you can download a CSV of your activity for a specific month from the monthly statement area of your account, which will also include your listing fees.

Transaction Fees

Etsy charges a transaction fee of 6.5% on the total sale amount for each transaction. This fee can be considered as Etsy's commission for facilitating the sale on their platform. It is important to note that the 6.5% fee is applied to the total gross sale, including the sales price, sales tax, and shipping paid by the customer. You can find your transaction fees listed on the monthly statement CSV and the fees section of your payment account screen.

Credit Card Processing Fees

In addition to transaction fees, Etsy charges a credit card processing fee for processing customer payments. The fee is 3% plus 25 cents per transaction for US sellers. International sellers may have different rates. Similar to transaction fees, credit card processing fees are applied to the total gross sale amount. Historically, the processing fee has been harder to find, but Etsy has now added it to the fees section of your payment account screen, as well as the order CSV.

Advertising and Promotional Fees

Etsy offers two types of advertising: Etsy Ads and off-site ads. With Etsy Ads, you have the option to pay for in-house advertising that helps you rank higher in search results. The cost depends on your daily ad budget per product listing. Off-site ads, on the other hand, are controversial and may be mandatory for sellers who make over $10,000 in sales revenue a year. Etsy charges a fee for off-site ads only if they attribute a sale to the ads. You can find details of your advertising fees in the marketing section of your payment account screen.

Subscription Fees

Etsy offers monthly subscription plans for sellers who want additional features or tools. Currently, they have Etsy Plus for $10 per month and patterns or website builder for $15 per month. If you choose any of these upgrades, you will see them listed under seller services in the marketing section of your account.

Shipping Labels

Etsy provides an integrated shipping label service that allows you to purchase and print USPS shipping labels for your orders. By using Etsy's shipping labels, you may receive a slight discount on postage. The cost of shipping labels can be found under the shipping section of your payment account screen.

How to Find and Track Fees on Etsy

To ensure you are aware of all the fees you are paying on Etsy, it is essential to know where to find them and how to track them. Here are the different methods:

Finances Payment Account Screen: On this screen, you can find an overview of your fees, including listing fees, transaction fees, and credit card processing fees. They are listed under the fees box.

Monthly Statement and CSV Download: By visiting the monthly statement area of your account, you can generate a CSV that contains a detailed breakdown of your activity for a specific month. This CSV will include your listing fees, transaction fees, and credit card processing fees.

Order CSV: The order CSV provides you with information about individual orders, including fees such as the credit card processing fee. This CSV is typically imported into a bookkeeping system.

Marketing and Stats Screen: For advertising and promotional fees, such as Etsy Ads and off-site ads, you can find a breakdown on the marketing screen of your payment account. Additionally, you can explore the stats section to gain more insights into the traffic and sales generated by these ads.

Tips for Managing Etsy Fees

Managing Etsy fees effectively is crucial for the financial success of your shop. Here are some tips to help you navigate and optimize your expenses on Etsy:

Budgeting for Fees: It is recommended to budget around 12-15% of your total Etsy sales for Etsy's various fees. Keep in mind that this percentage may vary depending on factors such as advertising usage, off-site ads, and postage labels.

Pricing Products Appropriately: Understanding the fees Etsy charges allows you to price your products appropriately, considering the fees that will be deducted from your sales. Failing to account for these fees can significantly impact your profit margin.

Recording Fees for Tax Deductions: Many sellers overlook the fact that fees charged by Etsy are tax-deductible. It is crucial to record and deduct these fees accurately in your bookkeeping system to maximize your tax deductions. Utilizing a dedicated Etsy spreadsheet, like the one offered by Paper and Spark, can help streamline this process.

Conclusion

By understanding Etsy's fee structure and knowing where to find and track the fees you are paying, you can better manage your finances as an Etsy seller. Taking into account these fees when pricing your products and recording them for tax deductions will ensure you run a profitable and sustainable business on Etsy.