As a seller on Etsy, streamlining your shipping process can save you time and money. One significant step towards achieving this is by purchasing shipping labels directly from Etsy. This not only means less time spent at the post office but also access to potential postage discounts and straightforward refunds for unused labels. Plus, it’s a factor that positively influences your Star Seller shipping score.
Supported Shipping Carriers
Etsy provides labels for several major carriers including:
Buying Shipping Labels on Etsy
- Log into your account at Etsy.com and navigate to the Shop Manager.
- Proceed to the Orders & Shipping section.
- Locate the order for which you need a shipping label.
- Click on the van icon to start purchasing a shipping label.
- Under Get shipping labels for, confirm your address is accurate, or select Edit to make changes.
- On the right side of the page under Ship to, verify the buyer’s address or click Edit to update it.
- Complete the Shipping information for your package, and save these details to auto-fill in future labels.
- If you’re sending this order abroad, complete the required customs form.
- Click on Review your purchase to see a summary of your purchase.
- Choose which documents you want to print and specify download preferences for your label(s) under Customize options.
- Finally, click on Purchase.
After completing this process, Etsy sends a shipping notification to your buyer automatically and marks your order as complete.
Required Information When Purchasing a Shipping Label
To provide an accurate cost estimate for your shipping label, you’ll need to provide:
- Package weight
- Package type
- Dimensions (Length, Width, Height)
- Delivery service
Customs Information for International Shipping Labels
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For international shipments, in addition to the aforementioned details, also provide:
- Weight and value of each item
- An accurate customs description
- An optional tariff number
Ensure all necessary documentation is completed based on carrier requirements.
How to Buy a Label with Calculated Shipping
If you’re using USPS or Canada Post services and have set up calculated shipping on Etsy, your package details will automatically populate the shipping label purchase page. Simply verify the details and click on Confirm and Buy.
Setting up calculated shipping has several steps:
- Set up a shipping profile with calculated shipping
- Add size and weight information to your listings
- Add the calculated shipping profile to your listings
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Additional Tips to Boost Your Shipping Efficiency on Etsy
1. Predefined Label Settings
Save time by creating presets for package details if you regularly ship items of similar size and weight. When purchasing a label, apply this preset from the dropdown “label preset.”
2. Customize Preferences
You can customize various aspects of your shipping process including how you download labels, pre-fill calculated postage labels, automate customs form signature and set default descriptions for international shipments.
3. Managing Labels and Personalizing Dispatches
Within the Orders & Delivery section of Shop Manager, manage existing postage labels. During label purchase, you can personalize dispatch notifications with a note in the “Note to Buyer” field which could contain delivery estimates or thank-you messages.
4. Expedited Delivery Options & Comparing Postage Costs
Enable buyers to opt for expedited delivery during checkout. Previewing postage costs allows you to compare discounted rates for labels purchased on Etsy with USPS and Canada Post retail rates.
5. Bulk Purchases
Bulk purchase up to 20 labels at once from the Orders & Delivery page or by clicking “Add another postage label” during the label purchase process. For large-scale purchases, consider printing a SCAN form which compiles all individual orders under one scannable barcode used by USPS.
Essential FAQs on Using Etsy Shipping Labels
1. How does purchasing a label on Etsy impact my Star Seller score?
Purchasing a shipping label directly from Etsy can enhance your Star Seller score as it allows you to efficiently manage orders and ensures timely shipping. However, if a label is purchased but the item isn’t shipped within the stipulated processing time window, it could negatively affect your score by marking the shipment as late.
2. Do I have to use Etsy shipping labels?
No, you’re not required to use Etsy’s shipping labels. You can choose any service that sells labels, including those that integrate with the Etsy system or even purchase your labels directly from the post office. While using Etsy’s labels offers convenience and keeps all order information in one place, other services may offer benefits like cash back on credit card purchases.
3. Is there a fee for using Etsy’s shipping labels?
While there isn’t a direct fee for purchasing an Etsy shipping label, there is a 6.5% shipping transaction fee charged when payment for shipping is collected from the customer at the time of purchase. This fee applies regardless of where you buy your shipping labels.
4. Are Etsy’s shipping labels cheaper than others?
Typically, commercial rate labels on Etsy are more affordable than post office retail rates but are comparable to those offered by most other online postage services which negotiate similar rates with postal carriers.
5. What happens if I purchase an Etsy label but need to cancel it later?
If you’ve purchased an Etsy label but need to refund it, navigate to your completed orders page and find that specific order. Underneath its tracking number will be an option (in small letters) to refund it; click on this then choose a reason why before confirming your refund.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, understanding the ins and outs of Etsy’s shipping label system is a crucial part of streamlining your selling process. From improving your Star Seller score to potentially saving money with commercial rates, using Etsy’s shipping labels offers numerous benefits. However, it’s also important to note that other options are available if you prefer or need a different solution. With the information provided in these FAQs, you’re now equipped to make an informed decision about how best to manage your shipping needs on Etsy and optimize your overall selling experience.