Policy library
The policies that get listings removed and shops suspended, explained with real do's, don'ts and the mistakes sellers make most often.
5 policies in the library
Every Etsy listing needs accurate information about what the item is, who made it and when. Inaccurate details, such as calling something handmade or vintage when it isn't, can get a listing removed.
Etsy's Prohibited Items Policy lists things that can't be sold on Etsy, even where they are legal locally. Listings that break it are removed, and repeated violations can lead to suspension. You can appeal a removal you believe was a mistake.
Etsy's Seller Policy covers how sellers treat buyers and use the platform: honest reviews, respectful communication, using Etsy Payments, and not using extra shops to get around the rules. Serious violations can lead to suspension.
Etsy's Intellectual Property Policy does not allow listings that use someone else's trademark without permission. That covers titles, descriptions, tags and images. Listings reported by a rights owner are usually removed, and repeated reports can lead to suspension.
Etsy does not allow listings with false, unsupported or misleading claims, especially medical claims about treating or curing illness. This applies to titles, descriptions, tags and photos.
If Etsy is part of how you earn a living, its rules are not optional. Policies change, enforcement tightens, and a single unknowing mistake (a trademark in a title, a claim about an ingredient, a misunderstood “handmade” definition) can get a listing removed or a whole shop suspended. Most sellers only read the rules after something goes wrong. This library is here so you can read them first.
It covers the areas that cause the most trouble: intellectual property (trademarks, copyright and brand misuse), prohibited items (weapons, drugs, regulated goods and restricted materials), seller conduct (honesty, harassment and fee avoidance) and listing requirements (accurate descriptions, shipping, tags and photos). Each guide explains what the policy is for, what Etsy typically enforces, and practical steps to stay compliant.
These summaries are educational and are not legal advice. Etsy's official policy pages are always the final word. When you want to test your own listings against many rules at once, Vetsy's scanner catches wording and tag issues early. It complements the library; it does not replace Etsy's documentation.
Etsy's official policiesVetsy's scanner reads your titles, descriptions and tags against Etsy's rules and explains each risk in plain language.