Etsy now requires all sellers to have a processing profile set up before listing physical items in their shop. A processing profile tells your customers how long it will take for you to prepare and ship their order. Without a processing profile, you will not be able to list physical products on Etsy.

This guide walks you through how to create or update your processing profile on Etsy and how to set ship-by dates so your customers always know what to expect.

How to Create a Processing Profile on Etsy for New Etsy Sellers? #

If you are new to Etsy, you will need to create a processing profile as part of your first physical product listing. Here is how to do it:

1. Log in to your Etsy Shop Manager.
2. Manually create a new listing for a physical item.
3. During the listing process, you will be asked to fill in the “When will it ship?” section. Completing this step automatically creates a new processing profile for your shop
4. Inside the profile, you will need to fill in two required details:
   • Readiness State: Choose either Made to Order or Ready to Ship, depending on how you fulfill orders
   • Processing Time: Set a minimum and maximum number of days it takes you to prepare an order for shipping

Please note: If you only have one processing profile set up, it will be automatically saved and applied when you open the modal. It is recommended to set a default processing profile in your shop settings so all future listings use it automatically without you having to select it each time.

How to Update Your Processing Profile For Existing Etsy Sellers? #

Previously, processing profiles were optional on Etsy. They are now mandatory for all Etsy sellers. If you have not set one up yet, follow these steps to create and assign one to your Etsy Shop:

1. Go to Shop Manager → Settings → Processing Profiles.
2. Click on Add Processing Profile.
3. Fill in your processing times and any other required details.
4. Once created, assign it as your default profile in your shop settings so all future listings automatically use it.

Setting a default processing profile ensures your processing times are consistent across all your listings and that syncing with QuickSync works smoothly without any interruptions.

How to Set Ship-By Dates on Etsy? #

A ship-by date is the latest date you plan to ship an order. It gives your customers a clear expectation of when their order will be on its way and helps build trust in your shop. Here are the ways you can set ship-by dates on Etsy:

• Processing Time or Handling Notes: When creating your listing, include the expected ship date in your processing time or handling notes so customers can see it before they place an order.
• Individual Orders: For each order, you can specify a ship-by date during the fulfillment process. This is useful if certain orders need to be shipped sooner than your standard processing time.
• Shop Policies and Messages: Use your Etsy shop policies page and buyer messages to clearly communicate your ship-by dates. This helps set the right expectations upfront and reduces the chances of customers reaching out to ask about their order status.

Tips for Better Shipping Expectations #

A few good practices to keep in mind when managing your processing profiles and ship-by dates:

• If you are a new seller, make sure you create and set a default processing profile during your first listing. This step is now mandatory on Etsy.
• If you are an existing seller, review your current processing profiles and update them if your fulfillment times have changed.
• Always be honest and accurate with your order processing times; overpromising on shipping speed can lead to negative reviews.
• Review and update your processing profiles from time to time, especially during busy periods like holidays or sales, to make sure your shipping times are still accurate.
• If there are any delays or changes to your shipping timeline, communicate them clearly to your buyers through messages or shop announcements.

By setting up your processing profiles correctly and integrating this step into your Etsy shop setup, you’ll ensure a smoother selling experience and build trust with your buyers on Etsy. Happy selling!