How to sell on Etsy from South Asia

Reach international buyers and sell on Etsy while navigating seller eligibility, fees, payout requirements and more. Take a deep dive into understanding how Etsy payments work

Key takeaways

• Etsy lets independent sellers offer handmade, designed, handpicked and sourced items, subject to its policies
• It charges a 6.5% transaction fee, while payment processing fees vary by seller location
• The World Account is a multi-currency account that can receive Etsy payouts in supported currencies, including USD, and hold funds before conversion

Etsy is a global marketplace for various products like accessories, art, books, clothing and more, connecting independent sellers with buyers. As of December 2025, Etsy had 86.5 million active buyers and 5.6 million active sellers. Sellers can offer physical or digital products, but items must be made, designed, handpicked or sourced by the seller and comply with Etsy’s policies.

For sellers in South Asia, Etsy offers access to international customers without requiring a standalone store, subject to country eligibility. This guide covers how to sell on Etsy and how the World Account can help send/receive multi-currency payments.

What is Etsy and who can sell on it?

Etsy is built around goods with a creative or curated element. Physical products can be handmade or produced using tools such as 3D printers, CNC machines or Cricut equipment. Sellers can also offer original digital designs, including premade or customised files. Vintage goods must generally be at least 20 years old, while sourced items can include craft supplies and personalised products. Mass-produced items cannot generally be resold as handmade.

Etsy also restricts categories including illegal goods, weapons, hazardous materials, certain animal products, hate-related items and pornography. Services are generally not allowed unless they create a new tangible item and products should follow Etsy’s creativity standards.

How do you set up an Etsy shop from South Asia?

1. Create an Etsy account and start the shop setup from Etsy’s selling page
2. Choose the shop language, country and listing currency
3. Pick a shop name that follows Etsy’s rules and is available
4. Add at least one listing with photos, title, description, price, category, tags and shipping details
5. Set shipping and processing information for physical products
6. Add billing and payment details. Etsy requires a bank account for receiving funds and a card for seller charges
7. Complete identity verification and two-factor authentication
8. Publish the shop once the required setup steps are complete.

What are Etsy’s fees?

Etsy’s fees vary by country and by the services used.

*Fees checked in August 2026

→ Learn how to get paid from Etsy

What is Etsy Payments?

Etsy Payments is Etsy’s main payment system. It lets buyers use payment methods such as cards, Etsy gift cards and credits, PayPal where available, Apple Pay and Google Pay, with other methods available in selected markets.

Etsy always verifies seller identity and bank details. Pakistan is currently listed as an Etsy Payments market, with sellers able to sign up through an individual/business account. Bangladesh is not currently on Etsy’s eligible-country list, so sellers there should check Etsy’s latest availability requirements before planning a shop around Etsy Payments.

How can you get paid on Etsy from South Asia?

For South Asian sellers, the way Etsy payments are received depends on the seller’s country and the payment methods Etsy supports there.

Etsy Payments availability

For Pakistani sellers, Etsy Payments supports deposits through a Payoneer Payment Account. Sellers must have a residential address and valid bank account in an eligible country, along with a valid payment card, and Etsy verifies the seller’s identity and bank details during enrolment.

Bangladeshi sellers face a different situation: Bangladesh does not appear on Etsy’s current list of countries eligible for Etsy Payments. Etsy says that in most markets where Etsy Payments is unavailable, new shops cannot be opened.

→ Want to know more about Payoneer? Here’s a complete Payoneer account review and more about Payoneer alternatives

PayPal and third-party payment providers

PayPal can be offered as a payment option to buyers where it is available through Etsy Payments. But, Etsy says that sellers enrolled in Etsy Payments do not receive these sales funds directly in their own PayPal accounts. Instead, the money is credited to the seller’s Etsy Payment account.

For eligible Pakistani sellers, Etsy also supports Payoneer for Etsy Payments deposits. International payment providers like WorldFirst also provide multi-currency receiving accounts that support USD, EUR, GBP and more for international payments.

Receiving and converting USD

Etsy’s payment-processing fees vary according to the location of the seller’s business bank account. For Pakistan, Etsy currently lists a payment-processing fee of 6.5% + US$0.30 per order. Sellers using Payoneer may also face minimum Payoneer withdrawals or additional fees.

Where funds are received in USD, converting them into PKR or another local currency can introduce an additional FX cost through the bank or payment provider. Etsy also states that FX fees may apply when funds are deposited into a bank account in a different currency.

The World Account: Built for South Asian Etsy sellers

WorldFirst is an international payments provider offering the World Account, a multi-currency account for businesses handling international payments. For Etsy sellers, the World Account can provide local receiving account details for supported Etsy payout routes, allowing Etsy sales proceeds to be received into a multi-currency balance like USD, EUR, GBP and more.

Sellers can hold currencies without automatically converting funds into PKR or BDT, then convert when needed or use the balance for international business payments. This can help reduce unnecessary currency conversions when Etsy payouts and business expenses are both in the same currency.

Key features of the World Account

• Local currency accounts in 15+ currencies, including USD, GBP, EUR and CNH
• Zero fees on receiving USD into the USD balance
• Receive and hold USD balances without automatic conversion to PKR or BDT, giving sellers control over when to convert
• Send payments across 200+ countries and regions
• No-cost instant transfers between World Account holders
• World Card, a Mastercard-powered virtual card for business supporting 150+ currencies, with no fees in 15 supported currencies when sufficient matching funds are held
• Up to 20 virtual cards at no extra cost, useful for eligible Etsy fees, Etsy Ads and other business expenses
• Pay Chinese suppliers via World Pay, the authorised international payment provider for 1688.com
• Xero and NetSuite integrations for reconciliation

FAQs

1. How do you sell on Etsy from Pakistan?

Create an Etsy account, open a shop, add listings, complete identity and payment verification, and connect an eligible payout account. Pakistan is currently supported through Etsy Payments with Payoneer.

2. What are the best digital products to sell on Etsy?

Popular categories include printables, planners, patterns, digital art and templates. Digital products must be made or designed by the seller, while seller-prompted AI creations must disclose AI use.

3. Can you make money selling on Etsy?

Yes. Earnings on Etsy depend on factors such as product pricing, sales volume, operating costs, Etsy fees, payment processing charges and advertising costs.

This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or professional advice. This article should not be regarded as constituting an offer or a solicitation to buy or sell any regulated or financial products or services. WorldFirst makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content, and readers are encouraged to consult with legal professionals or other professionals for advice tailored to their specific situation. WorldFirst does not guarantee the accuracy and completeness of this article and expressly disclaims any and all liability to any person in respect of the consequences of anything done or omitted to be done wholly or partly in reliance on this article.