When we learned late last year that the United States Postal Service proposed leaving the United Postal Union (UPU)—a global organization that sets shipping rates between countries—we announced this news to sellers who may be affected, along with how we planned to address it if it should happen. This move could have meant significant shipping disruptions and increases for international shipping rates when shipping to certain countries.
While the UPU decided that the USPS would remain a part of the organization, we decided to add an additional carrier provider to Etsy Shipping Labels as a way to help protect you from future shipping disruptions and increased international shipping rates. You’ll see the new option called Global Postal Shipping when you purchase an international shipping label on Etsy, when the item is 4 pounds or less and not being shipped to Canada.
Don’t worry, you’ll still get the same affordable rates and reliable service and there should be no impact to the delivery timeline. Check our help article for more information on how this new label works.
Here are some questions we think you might have about Global Postal Shipping:
Why is Etsy introducing Global Postal Shipping labels?
We introduced Global Postal Shipping labels to help protect you from future shipping disruptions and increased international shipping rates.
How does Global Postal Shipping work?
Our provider for Global Postal Shipping labels, an Asendia affiliated company (“Global Postal Shipping Partner”), partners with USPS and other national postal services to ship packages internationally. When you purchase a Global Postal Shipping label, you’ll print a USPS domestic shipping label addressed to the closest Asendia processing center. When our Global Postal Shipping Partner receives your package from USPS, they replace the domestic shipping label with a USPS international shipping label addressed to your buyer, that includes the customs information you’ve provided. They then send the package through the buyer’s country’s national postal carrier.
Is it optional?
For international orders 15oz or less (not including those going to Canada), Global Postal Shipping labels will replace USPS First Class International Package Service on Etsy Shipping Labels as the only option. For international orders over 15oz or going to Canada, USPS International First Class is still the option offered.
Where will returned items be sent?
Both domestic and international labels will include your shop name and return address. Any undeliverable items will be returned directly to your address and not to the Global Postal Shipping partner facility.
Will the tracking number on the domestic label match the one on the secondary label?
Packages shipped to international buyers using the new Global Postal Shipping partner will have two tracking numbers. One to track shipment to the facility and another to track delivery to the international buyer. The label you print will be a USPS domestic label, addressed to the facility with the first tracking number. The Global Postal Shipping partner will print a second label with the second tracking number.
Tracking for the entire package journey will be visible in the Orders & Shipping section of Shop Manager. Buyers will also be able to view tracking in the Etsy app and Etsy.com.
We’ve included the buyer’s name at the bottom of the label, so you see the buyers name on the domestic shipping label, allowing you to package your orders more easily.
Is Global Postal Shipping more expensive? Will it delay shipping times?
You’ll still have the same affordable rates and reliable service as you do today, and delivery should be the same. This change should not cause delays in shipping times.
Will you still offer USPS International Priority and Priority Express?
Yes, you’ll still be able to ship with USPS International Priority and Priority Express when shipping internationally. Global Postal Shipping is only replacing First Class. There are no changes to Priority Mail/Priority Mail Express.
Will this change the experience for buyers?
There should be no change on the shipping process, customs process, delivery timeline, or cost to the buyer.
How can I buy Global Postal Shipping labels from Etsy?
To buy Global Postal Shipping labels from Etsy, you must be based in the US and accept either Etsy Payments or PayPal. Global Postal Shipping labels can be purchased for international addresses. You can take a look in the Orders & Shipping section of your Shop Manager: https://www.etsy.com/your/orders/sold
For more information, please refer to this help center article or reach out to Etsy Support team.
