Hello!
On November 29, my shop was put into vacation mode without warning. I don't have any open cases, overdue orders, or IP issues, and I'm doing my best to follow Etsy's rules. I filed an appeal and I got the response that it is because I am in Ukraine and Ukraine is under sanctions, which is not correct. I am in Kyiv region, Ukraine. Part of Ukraine is really under the sanctions of the USA, that is true. It is Donetsk region, Luhansk region, and Crimea. I am not and I have never been there, not to mention I'm not there now. I am ready to provide any information needed to prove that I didn't do anything wrong and didn't break any sanctions policy.
When I contact support via chat I get the same template response: Upon checking, Due to expanding business restrictions and sanctions in the region right now, Etsy has limited access to the site for some sellers. As a business, Etsy needs to remain compliant with these evolving laws and changes. We understand this is a difficult time; we’re monitoring the situation closely and look forward to when we’re able to lift restrictions.
But that is not correct. Not all territory of Ukraine is under the sanctions. According to Etsy policy there are only 3 regions Certain geographic areas, such as Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, Russia, Belarus, and the Donetsk People’s Republic (“DNR”) and Luhansk People’s Republic (“LNR”) regions of Ukraine, or any individual or entity operating or residing in those places;
https://www.etsy.com/legal/policy/sanctions-policy/122383404929
And I am in Kyiv region. There are thousands of shops from Ukraine that are active now, and that is totally the right thing because we are not in the sanctioned area.
Ukraine consists of 25 administrative units with strict borders (like states in the USA) and only 3 of these units are under US sanctions.
You can find all the info regarding sanctions here https://ofac.treasury.gov/sanctions-programs-and-country-information/ukraine-russia-related-sanction...
I am in Kyiv region, and I have never been in occupied areas, I will be happy to provide any proof of that.
Thank you
