Many Etsy sellers in Canada, the UK, and other locations have reported that their Star Seller badges have suddenly disappeared. This has frustrated many sellers because it has happened during the pivotal holiday shopping season, a time when visibility and trust signals are most needed to boost sales.
Etsy had previously extended Star Seller status to international sellers after the U.S. ended the de minimis exemption. This longstanding trade rule allowed shipments valued at $800 or less to enter the U.S. duty-free and with expedited clearance.
Etsy assured sellers that the badge would remain available through December, but it stopped appearing in shops despite this guarantee.
What is the Etsy Star Seller Badge?
The Etsy Star Seller badge is a special recognition for Etsy sellers who consistently provide superb customer service. To receive the Star Seller badge, sellers must meet Etsy’s minimum customer service standards. Sellers must also meet the following requirements to be eligible for the badge:
- Respond to 95% of initial buyer messages within 24 hours.
- Ship 95% of orders on time with tracking or an Etsy shipping label (when required).
- Maintain an average rating of 4.8 stars or higher from reviews.
- Have at least five orders and $300 in sales in the past three months.
How Are Sellers Reacting to Losing Their Star Seller Status?
The change has exasperated many sellers who depend on the badges as a sign of performance and credibility, especially during busy seasonal shopping periods when competition is stiff, and customers need reassurance before purchasing.
In a post on the Etsy technical issues board, one disappointed UK-based seller said that she had lost her Star Seller status despite meeting Etsy’s requirements to qualify for the badge.
Cindy Baldassi, a consultant who has sold products on Etsy for over a decade weighed in on the issue in a LinkedIn post. She criticized Etsy for its unfair treatment of non-US sellers, arguing that the platform compelled international sellers to add tariffs to item prices, thereby boosting the platform’s gross merchandise sales (GMS).
Furthermore, she criticized Etsy’s domestic and global pricing tool for failing to work correctly and often charging the wrong price or stripping listing variations when applied.
What Can Impacted Etsy Sellers Do?
Etsy may temporarily or permanently remove your Star Seller badge if the following things happen:
- Your shop no longer meets the eligibility criteria.
- Your account privileges were limited.
- Your account violated Etsy’s Terms of Use.
- Etsy discovers you attempted to deceptively inflate your Star Seller stats.
- Your shop has an overdue bill.
Etsy may also occasionally turn off the Star Seller badge due to system updates or processing delays. Generally, it usually automatically returns within a few days.
If your badge hasn’t returned, contact Etsy support to determine if there are any issues with your reviews or response times. In most cases, if there are no problems with your shop, Etsy will reinstate your Star Seller badge (as long as your shop meets all other Star Seller criteria).
However, if your shop is permanently disqualified from the Star Seller program due to an issue like violating Etsy’s Terms of Use, you won’t be eligible for the program.
