In the Basket - 9th May 2025

🔥 Tariffs Are Tightening, and Etsy Sellers Are Feeling the Squeeze

Across the Etsy community, sellers are feeling squeezed. 📉 Material costs are up. Orders are down. And for many, the latest U.S. tariffs are the tipping point.

Yep we’re talking about tariffs again. The U.S. just ended the “de minimis” rule that let small imports (under $800) from countries like China skip duties. Now, thousands of Etsy sellers are seeing surprise fees, shipping delays, and disappearing profit margins, especially if they rely on international suppliers for materials or packaging.

At the same time, Etsy is shifting focus: pushing local sellers and handmade-first shops higher in search. The message is clear, adapt or risk being left behind.

🧵 Why It Matters

Many sellers are watching their costs climb while customers pull back. Tariffs, shipping issues, and tighter margins are making it harder to stay profitable, especially for side hustlers and small shops.

🛠️ What You Can Do

• ✅ Check your supply chain
  If you rely on overseas suppliers, start pricing out local or domestic options. Bonus: Etsy's search favors shops that ship locally.

• ✅ Adjust your prices
  Tariffs and shipping hikes can eat your profits fast. A small increase with clear messaging is better than silently losing money.

• ✅ Talk to your customers
  Let buyers know what’s happening via announcements or listing notes. Most people understand, especially if you keep it honest and human.

• ✅ Stay in the loop
  New import rules = more paperwork. Learn what fees and forms apply so you’re not caught off guard at the post office or customs.

💬 Bottom Line

This isn’t just policy, it’s personal. Tariffs are pushing many Etsy sellers to a breaking point. If you’re struggling, you’re not alone. But a few smart shifts, sourcing local, raising prices, staying transparent, can help steady your shop 💛📦

Have thoughts on this one? We’d love to hear your take, pro, con, or somewhere in the middle.

❓ Ask Me Anything:

How can I boost summer sales when things slow down?

You’re not imagining it, summer slowdowns are real, especially on Etsy. School’s out, vacations are in, and online shopping takes a little nap 😴 But that doesn’t mean your shop has to! Here are some easy, creative ways to keep those orders coming in during the warmer months:

• 🌞 Lean into the season
  Got anything that could be a summer hit? Think travel accessories, wedding gifts, BBQ decor, or anything sunshine-inspired. Even if your main product isn’t “summery,” you can tweak listings or create themed bundles that fit the vibe ☀️

• 📦 Create urgency with limited-time offers
  Try a “Summer Only” product drop or a flash sale. Seasonal scarcity creates excitement and gives shoppers a reason to grab it now instead of later ⏳🔥

• 📲 Get social and stay visible
  When Etsy views dip, social can pick up the slack. Behind-the-scenes content, summer packaging peeks, or even customer photos in the sun can keep your brand top of mind on Instagram, TikTok or Pinterest 📷🌺

• 🛍️ Bundle up small items
  If you sell lower-priced items, try bundling them into summer sets. It raises your average order value and gives customers more bang for their buck, like a “3-for-$25” set with a summer theme 🎁🌈

• 📬 Retarget past buyers with a warm-weather offer
  Send a quick message or coupon to happy customers from earlier this year. A “thanks for supporting my shop, here’s 10% off my summer collection!” message can work wonders 💌💕

✨ Quick Tip:
Add a “Summer Picks” section to your Etsy shop. It’s an easy way to refresh your storefront and guide browsers toward seasonal buys 🛒🌴

Summer might be slower, but it’s also a great time to experiment, stand out, and try something new. A little effort now can pay off big when back-to-school season hits 💪📆

Have a question? 🤔 Hit reply and ask, we might feature your question here in next week’s issue.