Frustrated with Etsy Seller Verification & Holiday Mode – My Experience

[#1]

Hey fellow Etsy sellers,

I am very frustrated because I cannot receive new orders. Etsy should not put the shop on Holiday Mode just because verification takes so long on their end. This process is affecting my business, and I wanted to share my experience.

On January 27, 2025, I received a yellow notification in my dashboard stating:

"Get paid for your sales by verifying your seller info: Since we couldn’t verify the details you shared, your shop is in temporary Holiday mode, so you can’t receive new orders right now. To get paid and start selling again, you’ll need to upload a legal document (like a government-issued ID) confirming your identity in the next 60 days. If you can’t verify your info, any pending orders will be refunded to buyers."

I immediately uploaded my Driving License as a verification document. After submission, Etsy provided this message:

"Your document has been submitted for review: We'll look it over and be in touch soon (usually within 2-5 business days). We may reach out if we need more details. Keep in mind: Your shop will stay in Holiday mode until we can verify your info."

Now, I’m stuck waiting while my shop remains in Holiday Mode, unable to receive new orders. This is incredibly frustrating because verification delays are on Etsy’s side, yet sellers are the ones suffering the consequences.

Has anyone else experienced this? How long did your verification take? I really hope Etsy improves this process so that sellers don’t lose business unnecessarily.

Looking forward to your thoughts!

[ClipartArtist]

I completely agree! Losing sales because of their delay is so unfair. Really hope they speed things up for all of us! By the way, did you upload your document?

[Nutek3D]

Just wondering if your document verification is done?

[ClipartArtist]

Not yet, still waiting! Hoping it gets approved soon. Thanks for checking in!

[Happinesst]

I have the same issue, vacation mode since 27 th January, uploaded immediately my ID but nothing so far... so frustrating. 

[ClipartArtist]

I totally understand your frustration! I’m in the same boat. Hoping we both get verified soon!

[WickerWoW]

I have also been in this situation since January 27. I am very worried I hope it will take a minimum of time. I really want to work again

[ClipartArtist]

I hear you! It’s really stressful waiting. Hoping they process it quickly so we can all get back to work soon!

[sweetniks]

I have also been waiting since Jan 27th.  Very upsetting!

[ClipartArtist]

Hey fellow Etsy sellers,

I was so happy when my shop finally came back from Holiday Mode! But just when I thought everything was back to normal, I received one order—and then Etsy placed my shop in temporary Holiday Mode again. It’s really frustrating to go through this all over again!

First, I also received an email confirming that my identity was verified. But after receiving just one order, my shop went back into vacation mode again.

[CaitlinsJewelryHouse]

Is your Etsy payment also linked to Payoneer? My shop hasn't received any new orders, but after my ID was verified, my Etsy payments became unavailable. I reached out to Payoneer support once, and they confirmed that my account is fine. But after Payoneer confirmed my account, my shop was put into forced vacation mode. I received an Etsy email asking me to confirm my Payoneer info. After contacting Payoneer again, they assured me that everything is still fine, but my Etsy payment is still unavailable, even though my shop seems to be reopened now. I’m concerned that once I get a new order, my shop will be put back into forced vacation mode. I'm really confused and frustrated!

[ShyamCreation1]

@ClipartArtist @CaitlinsJewelryHouse @Twoyoungz @RosyRetro @sweetniks  Dear, My shop is under review from last one week. However I have submitted the document and the information is already verified. But still the shop is in holiday mode. Please Help to remove the account from holiday mode.

I really appreciate your support in this matter. Thanks!

[ClipartArtist]

@CaitlinsJewelryHouse
Yes, my Etsy payments are also linked to Payoneer. I hope they sort it out soon for you!

[CaitlinsJewelryHouse]

@ShyamCreation1 Do you receive any orders before your shop goes into vacation mode this time? I’m guessing this could be a glitch with Etsy payments. Hope we get through this soon.

[CaitlinsJewelryHouse]

@ClipartArtist Hope Etsy’s technical team sees this issue and helps us out soon! 

[ClipartArtist]

@CaitlinsJewelryHouse Yes, I really hope so too! This has been so stressful for so many of us. Fingers crossed they fix it soon!

[JawanekoShop]

ClipartArtist I've had exactly the same experience. So frustrating.

[MotionVibe]

Similar situation, Etsy Payments is also linked to Payoneer.

Someone mentioned differences between the data in Payoneer and Etsy, but I have checked multiple times—everything is identical. And the fact that support is completely silent is just a nightmare.

[ChipShowgraphics]

Etsy also did same with other seller also I got mail from etsy regarding verification on 27th jan then I provided documents to them after 3 days they verified my identity that is on 30th jan night i was very happy to regain access but then I received one order at midnight and then it all started again 

this is a system error or a loop which js set by etsy for verification process that if any seller got order they go through verification process and this need to be stopped 

We seller are suffering so much due to there system glitch please etsy its a request to remove this error so verified seller can work easily 

and there is no support from etsy we get no one gonna mail us revert us i mail them so many times

please etsy board look into this we are loosing are work and funds 

[ChipShowgraphics]

I tried so many times to mail them but they did not revert back then i chat with 3 agents they escalated my request the last one agent take this matter seriously and like wise they said they will connect with me through mail there mail support is so slow seriously hoping for the best 

[ChipShowgraphics]

Hi https://help.etsy.com/hc/en-gb/requests/new#issue_buy_help_with_order-contact_select

please open this link and select buyer option instead of selling 

[WickerWoW]

can you imagine the same situation in me, yesterday the store was unblocked, and today after the sale, they sent it again for inspection

[RosyRetro]

@ShyamCreation1 I really hope ETSY get back to you. If they send an email, make sure you reply that you still need help. Maybe message them on Instagram too?

[PinkPartyShop]

 I'm experiencing the same issue and know of other shops facing it as well, I am also linked to payoneer but no issues in the information. I commented on other shop threads, and they told us yesterday that they would forward our cases to a team of specialists, but we haven't received a reply yet. I need them to release my funds and reactivate my shop so I can continue working.

[MigotoDesigns]

i think this is a system glitch. It needs to be solved asap.

[CaitlinsJewelryHouse]

Eight hours ago my shop was reopened after second forced vacation mode, and I received the confirmation email. A sale made, my Etsy payment is working fine now. It seems the glitch has fixed. The yellow banner for re-uploading the ID legal document is still there, I hope this is temporary. Hope other sellers can get through this asap. Don't give up, keep your faith!
Thank you to everyone for sharing and for your attention. Let me not feel alone in this. Thanks to the forum, it's really helpful!