Short answer: Etsy gives you three ways to offer free shipping: the free shipping guarantee, the smart pricing tool and free shipping profiles. The guarantee automatically makes shipping free for US buyers on any single item or order of $35 USD and up. You still pay the carrier, so to keep your profit you add the shipping cost to your item price.
Etsy's free shipping options
| Option | What it does | Who it's for |
|---|---|---|
| Free shipping guarantee | Free shipping for US buyers on items or orders of $35 USD and up, automatically | All sellers shipping to the US, domestic and international |
| Smart pricing tool | Bulk-edits prices of listings over $35 to recover shipping costs | US-based shops that set up the guarantee |
| Free shipping profiles | Free shipping on the listings and countries you choose | Sellers who also want free shipping outside the US |
How the free shipping guarantee works
- When a US buyer purchases a single item of $35 USD or more, or an order totaling $35 USD or more, shipping is free.
- Once set up, the guarantee also applies to new listings over $35, whatever your shop currency.
- Shipping prices for buyers in other countries don't change; they stay as set in your shipping profiles.
- If a buyer chooses a shipping upgrade, they pay for it even when the order qualifies for free shipping.
Does free shipping help Etsy search?
According to Etsy's search visibility page, US listings with domestic shipping prices lower than $6 are prioritized in search. Free shipping meets that bar, but it's not a ranking guarantee on its own: titles, tags, photos and price matter too.
Free shipping without losing profit
Add shipping to the price
Even with free shipping, you pay the carrier. If you add the shipping cost to the item price, the listing still shows free shipping and your profit doesn't drop. For example, a $30 item with free shipping instead of a $25 item plus $5 shipping.
Fees stay about the same
Etsy's 6.5% transaction fee applies to the item price plus shipping and gift wrap. Moving shipping into the price doesn't change the order total, so the fees stay about the same. Check the exact numbers in the calculator.
Heavy or bulky items
For items that are expensive to ship, adding all of the shipping to the price can push you above competitors. Consider free shipping only domestically, or only above a certain order total.
How to set up free shipping
- List your items and their average shipping cost.
- Decide which listings and which countries get free shipping.
- Set up the free shipping guarantee for US buyers, or create a free shipping profile.
- Add shipping costs to item prices; if your shop is in the US, you can use the smart pricing tool.
- Update your listings' shipping profiles and watch views and sales for a few weeks.
Is free shipping always right?
| Situation | Suggestion |
|---|---|
| Light items of $35 or more | The guarantee usually makes sense; add shipping to the price |
| Items under $35 | Free shipping once the cart passes $35; suggest items bought together |
| Heavy or bulky items | Free shipping only domestically or above an order threshold |
| Digital items | No shipping; not relevant |
Listimize's Profit Calculator shows your profit when you add shipping to the price; check it before you switch to free shipping.
FAQ
What is Etsy's free shipping guarantee?
A setting that automatically makes shipping free for US buyers on any single item or order of $35 USD and up. Domestic and international sellers shipping to the US can use it.
Who pays for shipping if I offer free shipping?
You pay the carrier. To keep your profit, add the shipping cost to the item price.
Does free shipping boost Etsy search?
Etsy prioritizes US listings with domestic shipping under $6; free shipping meets that, but it isn't a ranking guarantee on its own.
Can I offer free shipping outside the US?
Yes, with free shipping profiles you can offer free shipping to the countries you choose.
Sources
- Etsy Help: How to Offer Free Shipping
- Etsy Help: How to Use the Etsy Search Visibility Page
- Etsy Fees & Payments Policy
Checked on October 31, 2026