Popular crafting marketplaces, such as Etsy, Folksy, Ebay and Not On The High Street, don't make it compulsory for you to have insurance in order to sell products on their websites. However, it is important to have appropriate craft insurance in place to best protect your business, your goods and your sales.
Product liability insurance is important for anyone who sells products, whether it be online or over the counter, because the seller is the first point of call for a customer if something goes wrong, and is therefore liable to be the subject of a claim.
“Do I need insurance to sell on Etsy?” It's a common question for small business owners and makers. The answer is that you don't have to necessarily get insurance to sell or operate on the site. However, Etsy business insurance is recommended to help protect you from product liability claims.
Do I need business insurance to sell on Etsy? Put plainly, no. You are not legally required to take out any form of insurance before selling your handmade crafts on Etsy. That being said, it is generally a good idea to at least consider purchasing online retailer insurance before selling on this platform.
Public liability insurance for craft fairs and craft stallholders is incredibly important, as it covers you against any liability or claims made by the public in connection with your craft fair.
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Do I need insurance to sell handmade crafts UK?
As touched on above, you do not legally require public and product liability insurance to sell at a craft stall. However, it is a good idea. If, for example, a member of the public trips over your stall and becomes injured, this cover will protect you.
Popular crafting marketplaces, such as Etsy, Folksy, Ebay and Not On The High Street, don't make it compulsory for you to have insurance in order to sell products on their websites. However, it is important to have appropriate craft insurance in place to best protect your business, your goods and your sales.
HMRC lets you earn £1,000 a year through websites like Etsy without worrying about income tax. If you had sales of more than £1,000 a year with Etsy, you need to submit a tax return. This doesn't necessarily mean you need to pay tax.
Will HMRC know if I sell through Etsy? Online marketplaces like Etsy are covered by the digital platform reporting rules. This means that they're required to collect information about the income that you receive from your Etsy sales, and then report this data to HMRC automatically each year.
When you are ready to start your Etsy business in the UK, you need to register with HMRC. If you plan to make selling online a large enterprise, you might consider forming a limited company.
The following types of items are prohibited or restricted on Etsy: Alcohol, Tobacco, Drugs, Drug Paraphernalia, Medical Drugs and Devices, and Items making Medical Claims. Animal Products and Human Remains. Dangerous Items: Hazardous Materials, Recalled Items, and Weapons.
Coverage is on a package-by-package basis. Inbound shipments are not covered. Coverage is for sales made on Etsy.com, only, and covers loss, damage, or shortage to the original merchandise shipped plus the original shipping cost (if declared), only.
It's easy to set up a shop on Etsy. Create an Etsy account (if you don't already have one), set your shop location and currency, choose a shop name, create a listing, set a payment method (how you want to be paid), and finally set a billing method (how you want to pay your Etsy fees).
All companies require a business license, whether they sell online or from a brick-and-mortar storefront. Businesses are required to apply for a business license because it provides a way for the government to keep track of enterprises operating in the area and keep track of tax revenue.
However, it is still recommended that you have business insurance. If you choose to sell your items on a third-party site and a customer ends up accidentally injured, ill, or their items are damaged in transit, and you don't have insurance then you will be solely responsible for footing the bill.
Is public liability insurance a legal requirement? Choosing not to have public liability insurance will not land you with a jail sentence or a hefty fine. But having the right insurance can make you look more professional and offer you peace of mind.
How much money can you earn from a hobby before paying tax UK?
Firstly, you'll only need to report your earnings from your hobby if they exceed your Trading Allowance. This is a £1,000 turnover limit that all UK taxpayers are allowed to earn tax-free, in a single tax year, from things like a hobby or a project they do in their spare time.
How much can you sell on Etsy before paying tax UK?
If you're employed and trade on Etsy as a side business, you'll only need to pay tax if your total income from sales exceeds the £1,000 trading allowance. Once your earnings exceed that allowance, you'll need to complete a self-assessment as you'll be viewed as both employed and self-employed.
If you're running a business – that is, you're selling with the intent of making a profit – then you'll need an Etsy business license. But if you're just doing it for fun, as a hobby, then selling without a business license shouldn't be a problem. Keep in mind you'll have to pay sales tax regardless.
How much can you sell online before paying tax UK?
If you regularly sell goods or services through an online marketplace you could be classed as a 'trader'. And if you earn more than £1,000 before deducting expenses through your trading, you will need to pay Income Tax on this.
If you are selling handmade, craft-related, or vintage items, Etsy is certainly the cheaper and quicker option to get your online shop set up. Though, despite this, you should not forget that traffic to eBay is exceptionally higher than traffic to Etsy.
You pay VAT on almost anything you buy in the UK, including things on Etsy. Unfortunately, while it's the buyer that pays for VAT, you as the seller need to collect and send the VAT to HMRC.
If you're running a craft fair as a market trader, you're also working a lot with the public – and accidents can happen. Public liability insurance can help protect your business in case of third-party injury or damage, maybe caused by a trip or slip over your stall, or injury caused by one of your products.
There are some types of cover that all crafters should have – Public and Products Liability insurance is definitely one and, if you employ anyone, the law says you have to have Employers Liability cover too.
Do I need to register as a business to sell crafts?
When it comes to crafting, there are very few areas in which a licence is essential. If you are working with and selling alcohol, food or have a business premise that isn't your home, you may need a licence. Otherwise, it is mostly acceptable for a small business to simply register with HMRC and begin trading.
