Quick answer
Etsy suspends an account for a suspected policy violation, an overdue bill, or required information or steps that were not completed, and suspended members generally receive an email indicating the type of suspension (permanent or temporary) and the reason. A temporary suspension is lifted by fixing the cause Etsy names, while a permanent one can be appealed in Etsy's Appeals Center within 6 months from the day the account was suspended.
Nation, an AI store builder, publishes this page. It is pre-launch, with a waitlist on withnation.ai, so it is not compared with Etsy here. See where Nation fits.
Why an Etsy account gets suspended
Etsy suspends an account for a suspected policy violation, an overdue bill, or required information or steps that were not completed. Under its Terms of Use, Etsy may also suspend any accounts it determines are related to yours.
In most cases Etsy sends an email explaining what happened and how to resolve the suspension. Check your spam folder, and as a seller look for a banner in your Shop Manager Dashboard.
Etsy says its own list of reasons is not complete. If the email does not match any row, reply to it and ask what Etsy needs from you.
Temporary or permanent: how to tell which suspension you have
Suspended members generally receive an email indicating the type of suspension (permanent or temporary) and the reason, and the fix depends on the type.
For a temporary suspension, messaging from Etsy will explain how to resolve the issue. For some causes, such as an overdue bill, you might be automatically reinstated once the issue is resolved. You do not appeal a temporary suspension: Etsy says it can be resolved by other means, like paying an overdue billing balance or resolving open cases.
A permanent suspension is labelled clearly: the email says “permanently suspended” in the subject line and body. That is the type that goes through the Appeals Center.
Etsy also uses two restrictions that stop short of a full suspension.
- Removed from search: listings can be removed from search without a full account suspension, and buyers can still purchase your listings, but the shop and listings do not appear in Etsy search.
- Paused by Etsy: vacation mode started by Etsy cannot be turned off by you. While it is on, listings do not appear in Etsy search and cannot be purchased.
How to fix a temporary Etsy suspension
These steps follow Etsy's Help Center article on reinstating a suspended account.
Find the email from Etsy
Search your inbox and spam folder for the suspension notice, and check for the banner in Shop Manager.
Fix the cause
Pay the bill, add the taxpayer ID, finish the bank or identity verification, or confirm your seller info, whichever the email names.
Reply to Etsy's email
Etsy's Help Center says to reply to the email Etsy sent you when the problem is resolved. Say what you changed, briefly and factually.
Keep orders moving
While you wait, you must complete open orders by filling or refunding them. Etsy's Help Center says you can still view your cases and resolve open cases, so keep answering buyers.
How to appeal a permanent Etsy suspension
These steps follow Etsy's Help Center article on appealing a permanent suspension. You have 6 months from the day the account was suspended to file. If you miss it, the account stays permanently suspended and cannot be appealed. Under Etsy's Terms of Use, users covered by the EU Digital Services Act can appeal account decisions directly with Etsy, and may also be entitled to use a certified out-of-court dispute settlement body.
Resolve the issues first
Etsy says you can appeal once you resolve the issues that led to the suspension. Its checklist says to resolve all outstanding account issues, including open cases and outstanding balances. If you sell, also make sure you don’t have any listings that violate the Prohibited Items Policy, Creativity Standards or Intellectual Property Policy.
Open the Appeals Center
File from the Appeals Center, signed in to the suspended account, at etsy.com/appeals.
Choose the reason and explain
On the form, choose the reason for your appeal, or select Other and enter a reason. Then add the actions you have taken to address the issues, and how your practices will change if you regain access. Etsy asks you to be transparent and forthcoming about the cause and what you did to resolve it. It also knows extenuating circumstances such as medical or family emergencies and natural disasters can happen, so mention one if it played a part.
Attach evidence
Add any documents that support the appeal. Example: records that show the changes you describe.
Submit and wait
After you submit, a specialist reviews your appeal and account history and replies with a final decision by email. Etsy says a decision can take up to two weeks and that an appeal does not guarantee reinstatement. If the specialist keeps the account closed, that decision is final, with no further review.
What you can and cannot do while suspended
Etsy's Help Center and Seller Policy list what still works during a suspension.
Ship what you can, because Etsy may refund buyers for physical orders not shipped within processing times. If funds are held in a reserve, adding tracking helps: reserved funds are released immediately once Etsy confirms the order shipped. Etsy says a reserve is removed within 90 days for most sellers.
Removed listings and IP reports: handle them before they add up
Removed listings can lead to a suspension. Etsy warns that if a shop has multiple policy violations, Etsy may remove Star Seller badges or suspend the account.
Etsy says the ability to appeal listing removals is being rolled out gradually. Where an appeal is offered, appeals must be submitted for each listing individually. Unless it states otherwise, Etsy gives 180 days from the time the listing was removed to appeal, and says most reviews finish within 3 days, but some take up to 10-12 business days.
For intellectual property reports, Etsy does not decide which listings infringe intellectual property. You get an email with the contact information of the party who filed the report. Etsy accepts counter notices for US-based copyright reports only, and removed material can be restored 10 business days after the counter notice is processed, unless the copyright owner files a court or Copyright Claims Board action and informs Etsy. Etsy tells sellers not to create new listings for that content until the issue is resolved with the other party, and warns that repeat reports of infringement may result in the loss of account privileges.
Can you open a new Etsy shop after a suspension?
Opening a second shop to get around a suspension goes against Etsy's rules. The Seller Policy bans duplicate shops created for shilling, manipulating search or circumventing Etsy's policies, and under the Terms of Use Etsy may also suspend any accounts it determines are related to yours. Its IP Policy adds that Etsy may refuse all services to a member who opens a new shop after termination.
Etsy does allow running multiple shops at once, but you must list every shop you run in the Public Profile section of each account. The Terms of Use also say that if Etsy suspends you, you have no contractual or legal right to continue to use Etsy's services. A suspended shop cannot take new Etsy orders, so if Etsy is your only sales channel, every new sale stops until the suspension ends.
How to avoid an Etsy suspension
These routines cover the billing, tax and service causes in the first table.
- If you are not on autobilling, pay the monthly statement, which is due on the 1st of the month. If you are, keep a working card on file.
- Add your taxpayer ID early. US sellers without one get an email reminder at $250 in sales, and the shop is suspended after more than $500 in sales in a calendar year without valid taxpayer details.
- Meet the service standards in the Seller Policy: honor your shipping and processing times, and respond to Messages in a timely manner. Once a buyer reports a problem, sellers have 48 hours to resolve an order issue before the buyer can open a case.
Where Nation fits
Nation
Category: an AI store builder
Nation says one description of what you make builds the store, then agents handle orders, customers and delivery and run ads, content and social posts, with you approving the work. Because it is pre-launch, with a waitlist on withnation.ai, it is not compared with Etsy here.
Limits today
- Status: pre-launch, with a waitlist on withnation.ai.
- Pricing and fees: not announced yet.
- Shopper marketplace: no shopper marketplace has been announced.
- Track record: no independent reviews or public stores yet.
Nation publishes this page. Nation is not compared with Etsy here until signup is public and pricing is published.
Describe what you makeQuestions about Etsy account suspensions
Why was my Etsy account suspended?
An Etsy account is suspended for a suspected policy violation, an overdue bill, or required information or steps that were not completed. Causes Etsy names include an overdue bill, a missing taxpayer ID, unfinished bank or identity checks, prohibited listings and repeated intellectual property reports. Check your email and spam folder for Etsy's notice.
How long does an Etsy suspension last?
An Etsy suspension that is temporary lasts until the cause is fixed, and for some causes you might be automatically reinstated once the issue is resolved. A permanent suspension stays in place unless an appeal succeeds. Etsy says an appeal decision can take up to two weeks, and a decision to keep the account closed is final, with no further review.
How do I appeal an Etsy suspension?
To appeal a permanent Etsy suspension, use the Appeals Center within 6 months from the day the account was suspended. Etsy says you can appeal once you resolve the issues that led to the suspension. Explain what you changed and how you will follow the policy, and attach documents. A temporary suspension is not appealed; you reply to Etsy's email instead.
Can I open a new Etsy shop after my account is suspended?
Opening a new Etsy shop after a suspension can get that shop suspended too. Etsy's Terms of Use say Etsy may also suspend any accounts it determines are related to yours, and its Seller Policy bans duplicate shops created for shilling, manipulating search or circumventing Etsy's policies. If the suspension is permanent, appeal the original account within 6 months from the day the account was suspended instead.
Do I still have to ship orders if my Etsy shop is suspended?
Yes, a suspended Etsy shop still has to handle its orders: you must complete open orders by filling or refunding them. Etsy notes that you can’t buy shipping labels on Etsy while suspended, but you can purchase postage directly from your carrier and add tracking. Also, Etsy may refund buyers for physical orders not shipped within processing times.
Can I call Etsy about my suspension?
You cannot phone Etsy directly about a suspension, because Etsy does not have a phone number to call for customer service. Etsy also says live support agents may have limited ability to help with suspensions. Its advice is to check the email notice for next steps, reply directly to the team that reached out, or submit an appeal if eligible.