Selling your handmade candles on an online, global platform like Etsy can sound like a great idea. You may be unsure whether you need a license to be able to sell your candles or what requirements are needed to have a business on Etsy. In this article, we will discuss what standards, policies, and rules you need to know about.
You do not need a license to sell candles on Etsy. It is a platform where you can sell handmade goods as a hobby or as a business. According to Etsy’s seller standards, by listing a product on Etsy, you understand and agree that you are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations for the products you sell.
Etsy does have quite a few standards and policies that need to be followed when selling products on the platform. Before you start selling, you need to ensure you know all the rules and regulations, so let’s explore what they are.
What You Need To Know About Selling Candles On Etsy
No license is required when selling candles on Etsy. However, you must understand and agree that you are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations for the products you sell, including any required labels or warnings.
Having the understanding that candles do have voluntary industry standards as well as label packaging requirements, candle makers should ensure these are followed first before listing them to sell on Etsy.
Once you understand what is required from the actual candle and it’s packaging you will need to also learn about Etsy’s policies.
Voluntary Candle Standards
The Consumer Product Safety Commission and industry partners have worked together to create a list of voluntary standards (source)for candle makers to follow, which include:
- Standard test method for collection and analysis of visible emissions from candles as they burn
- Standard specification for candle fire safety labeling
- Standard specification for fire safety for candles
- Standard specification for fire safety for candle accessories
- Standard specification for annealed soda-lime-silicate glass containers that are produced for use as candle containers
- Standard guide for terminology related to candles and associated accessory items
Therefore, by listing a candle on Etsy, you agree that these standards have been met and Etsy is not responsible for your product and following these requirements. This means that if there are any issues, problems, or complaints about your product, it is you who takes full responsibility.
Etsy’s Handmade Policy
The handmade policy on Etsy is there to state that you have handmade or designed the product that has been listed. Therefore, the candles you sell on Etsy must have been made by you and not bought and resold by you on the platform.
Etsy’s Payment Policy
To sell your candles on Etsy, you need to be at least 18 years old and are approved for a payment account. You need to agree that once a transaction has been processed, you will dispatch the item.
Some countries are not eligible to receive Etsy payments, however, they can use PayPal or other third-party payment providers that sync with Etsy to receive payments.
Etsy’s Income Reporting Obligations
You do not need a license to sell candles on Etsy, but you do need to follow some regulations and keep track of your sales on income. Depending on what country you are in, you may be required to provide your tax identification number and pay tax on the sales and income you receive from your Etsy store.
Pros And Cons Of Selling On Etsy
There are some great benefits of using Etsy to sell your candles. However, there may also be some negatives. Let’s take a look at what these are:
Pros Of Selling Your Candles On Etsy
Easy To Use
Etsy is a platform that is already set up and created for the purpose of selling handmade goods. Therefore, it is easy for you to set up a shop and list your products. This can be a great benefit for those that may have candles ready to sell but may not know where to start when creating a website or using a site to sell their candles on.
Popular Worldwide Platform
By creating a shop on Etsy for your candle business, you know there are already thousands of users on it. There are people already searching for handmade goods and, most likely, candles.
Therefore, you don’t necessarily have to go out trying to find customers to buy your candles, as there are already people searching for what you have to offer. People from all over the world can purchase products on Etsy, so you are not limited to just providing candles to your local community or country.
Great Starting Site For Your Business
If you are first starting out in your candle business and do not want to pay money for a website and set it all up, you may want to try out Etsy.
From making sales on Etsy, you will discover what the selling, dispatching, and marketing process is like online. From this, you will be able to tell if you enjoy selling your candles online and if there are any changes, you would want that a website could do better. Or you may even decide you would prefer to sell your candles in person and not do online sales.
Beginning your candle business on Etsy can be a great idea to see how well your customers enjoy your candles. From this, you could then make changes to your candles depending on the feedback and ratings you received from your customers.
Support And Help On The Platform
Etsy provides sellers with not only a platform to list their products but also allows the integration onto other sites, have marketing tools so support customers coming back to your shop, provides you with statistic so you can keep track of your data and there are lots of forums and articles to support you if you have a question or need assistance.
Cons Of Selling Your Candles On Etsy
Fees
If you list a candle on Etsy, you will have to pay a fee. Therefore, if you have a lot of different candles, be aware that you will be charged every time you put a listing up and if it doesn’t sell within four months, you will have to pay to relist it again. These fees can add up over time, so ensure you still get the profit you want.
Competition
Etsy has a lot of sellers on its platform, including candle sellers therefore, your candles will not be the only candles a potential customer may see. If you had your own website, all the products would be your own candles and not your competitors. That is something to be aware of. Therefore, you will need to make your candles stand out from the others.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are You Allowed To Sell Candles On Etsy?
Etsy does prohibit some dangerous materials and products from being listed due to legal and safety and delivery reasons. Although candles do have materials in them that can be hazardous when lit, candles are considered a cosmetic product and are deemed safe to sell on Etsy.
How Much Can You Make Selling Candles On Etsy?
You can make a lot of money selling candles on Etsy. The price of candles on Etsy can vary. Generally, candles on Etsy cost between $5 and $80 depending on the size and quality, but there are people on the platform willing to pay a range of prices.
Final Words
To conclude, you do not need a license to sell candles on Etsy, but it is to be agreed and understood that the candles you are listing comply with the regulations, as well as you follow the policies and standards that Etsy has for its sellers.
