Listing erroneously deactivated by Etsy

[OrthodoxGiftsCrafts]

Trying to figure out how to proceed. I make embroidered Orthodox Christian icons out of my home and recently tried to list one of Saint Luke of Crimea. Of course, in my description it talks about his life and where he is from (Russia). Etsy auto removed the listing and in further investigation, it was because of "trade rights concerns" and Etsy wanted to make sure it was a product of the USA and not Russia since there are current trade restrictions.  I confirmed almost a week ago at this point via email response to their question that it is made in my home in the USA and not illegally imported from Russia for resale. Yet there's been no response, no nothing. Reached out to Etsy via X and was told they'd forward the issue yet it still remains deactivated. How long do these issues take to resolve and do I just wait until they figure it out? 

[VintageRescueSquad]

Your best bet is to create a new listing, omitting any reference to Russia rather than waiting on etsy to respond or reinstate. 

[OrthodoxGiftsCrafts]

Tried doing that now and it just autoblocked it again..

[Natalya1905]

The word "Crimea" could be the issue. 

Also, you have 3 listings tagged "Russia". Another possible risk for your shop. 

https://www.etsy.com/legal/policy/sanctions-policy/122383404929 

[OrthodoxGiftsCrafts]

We thought that too. I removed Crimea and changed to Saint Luke of Simferopol to try and relist and it did the same thing- autoblocked in under a minute. Not sure how to make it work other than just a Generic Saint Luke. My concern now is if I try and do it again, they'll flag me for suspension for multiple infractions which 

[TheVintagePineapple]

@OrthodoxGiftsCrafts 

Are you creating a brand-new listing or are you just editing the listing that was deactivated?  Not sure, but even making a copy of that listing could be a problem.  

[FallenAngelBrass]

I believe it's not possible to edit or copy and then re-list a listing that Etsy has deactivated.  Only Etsy can re-activate the listings that the Etsy bots have deactivated. 

[OrthodoxGiftsCrafts]

Can't do a relist for deactivated listings. What is so bizarre is if you go and search Etsy for "Saint Luke of Crimea" you can certainly find listings with the title and references in the description. Maybe they are older and that's why they are still up? I don't know but it's odd that I cannot even get mine up for Trade restrictions yet others have theirs up with no issues at all.

[TheVintagePineapple]

@FallenAngelBrass True, you can't, but reading the OP's post above about 'removing and changing to try to relist' made it sound like they were somehow trying to edit a deactivated listing.   

@OrthodoxGiftsCrafts  Those other sellers may have had the same problem when first listing theirs and had to wait for someone to actually look at it before it was allowed to be relisted.

[OrthodoxGiftsCrafts]

It was new since the only option it shows for now both listings is to delete them. Removed all Crimea references and even outlined it's made in the USA. Still nothing. What's sad is Amazon, Ebay, and Shopify have to follow these same laws but I had no problems listing with the same title, pictures, and description on any of those sites. Just Etsy. Tells me their AI isn't exactly intelligent. Customer service has been non-existant so far. Yet they had no problem keeping both listing fees....

[FallenAngelBrass]

Don't keep trying to get around the bots by creating new listings that just get deactivated.  You're racking up the dings in your shop.  If you want a de-activated item back in the shop, it's best to wait until Etsy activates the original listing, as frustratingly long a wait as that can be. 

[OrthodoxGiftsCrafts]

Definitely where I've landed. I'll work on them fixing it and just accept for now that even though it's rediculous, I'm not risking a suspension for the fact their AI cannot differentiate between someone being from a place vs a product being from a place. Thank you!

[TBQSC]

What you see others selling on Etsy is not a good way to judge what is legal or not for you to sell.  Some get caught today, some get caught tomorrow ... some got caught last year!  Don't keep trying to list this item --no matter how you describe it-- in doing so, you are guaranteed to get your shop permanently shuttered.  I understand your predicament, but it is best to await Etsy's final decision on the subject ... i.e. wait for a human to review your case.  It sounds like you have this same item listed on several other websites, so that is good ... at least you will get sales there.  Wishing you all the best!

[OrthodoxGiftsCrafts]

Thanks. Definitely not trying again. Just wish etsy support provided the same level of customer service they expect from us. Almost a week since I confirmed for them and no response. I'm convinced at this point that the trade sanctions will end before I get an actual human response again from them.