What should an Etsy appeal letter include?

Etsy's Appeals Center form asks for the reason for your appeal, the actions you have taken to address the issue, how your practices will change, and supporting documents. A strong letter quotes the exact wording of the notice, names which Creativity Standards category your items fit, lists the fixes already made, and attaches proof.

How long do I have to appeal an Etsy suspension?

Etsy's help center says you have 6 months from the date of a permanent suspension to appeal through the Appeals Center, that a decision can take up to two weeks, and that if a specialist upholds the suspension the decision is final.

Should I mention AI in my Etsy appeal?

If AI was used, yes. Etsy's Creativity Standards allow seller-prompted AI creations but require disclosure in the listing description. Fix the descriptions first, then say in the appeal that the disclosure has been added and attach screenshots.

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Etsy Appeal Letter Template for a Suspended Shop or Removed Listing

Two copy-and-fill templates, one for a shop suspension and one for a single listing removal, written around exactly what Etsy's Appeals Center form asks. Fill in the brackets, attach your proof, submit.

Before you paste anything Etsy's appeal form asks four things: the reason for your appeal, what you've done to fix the issue, how your practices will change, and supporting documents. For a permanent suspension you have 6 months, a decision can take up to two weeks, and if a specialist upholds it the decision is final. Fix the listings first, then appeal once, completely.

Template 1: Shop suspended

Subject / reason for appeal: Request to review the suspension of [SHOP NAME] Hello Etsy Trust & Safety team, My shop [SHOP NAME] was suspended on [DATE] with the reason: "[COPY THE EXACT WORDING FROM YOUR NOTICE]". What I sell: [one sentence, e.g. "digital planner templates I design myself in Canva and Procreate"]. These items fit Etsy's "[Made by / Designed by / Handpicked by / Sourced by] a seller" category because [one concrete reason]. What went wrong: [state it plainly, e.g. "12 listings used AI-generated artwork and I had not disclosed this in the descriptions" or "I believe the listings were flagged in error because..."]. What I have already fixed: 1. [e.g. Added an AI disclosure to the description of all 12 AI-assisted listings] 2. [e.g. Added my print partner, [NAME], in production-partner settings] 3. [e.g. Removed 3 listings that did not fit any category] How I will keep this from happening again: [e.g. "I now write the disclosure before publishing any AI-assisted listing and review new listings against the Creativity Standards."] Supporting evidence attached: - [Process photos / design files with dates] - [Screenshots of the corrected listings] - [Supplier or production-partner invoices] I value selling on Etsy and would appreciate a review of my account. [YOUR NAME] [SHOP NAME] - [EMAIL ON THE ACCOUNT]

Template 2: One listing removed

Hello, I received a notice that my listing "[LISTING TITLE]" was removed for [REASON FROM NOTICE]. This item is [my original design / made by me using (tools)]. [If AI was used: The artwork was created with (tool) from my own prompts and then edited by me; I have now added this disclosure to the listing description.] [If a partner produces it: It is printed by (partner), which is now listed in my production-partner settings.] Attached: [design files / process photos / screenshot of the updated description]. Please review and reinstate the listing. Thank you.

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How to fill it in so it gets read properly

Quote the notice word for word. Reviewers match your appeal to the violation they recorded. "My shop was closed unfairly" gives them nothing to match.
Name your category. Every Etsy item has to fit one of four: made by, designed by, handpicked by, or sourced by a seller. Say which, and why. (What each category allows.)
Fix first, then write "already fixed". Added AI disclosures, added a production partner, removed listings that don't fit? Do it before you submit and list each fix. A finished fix is stronger than a promise.
Attach proof instead of offering it later. Process photos, dated design files, supplier or print-partner invoices, screenshots of corrected listings.
Keep it short and calm. One page. No anger, no threats, no "I've sold here for years so you owe me."

If AI was involved Etsy allows seller-prompted AI designs under "Designed by a seller", but the listing description has to say the item was created with AI. Undisclosed AI is one of the most common reasons behind "not handmade" removals. Add the disclosure to every affected listing, screenshot it, and say so in the appeal. Don't deny AI use you can't back up.

Where to submit

Sign in to the affected account and use Etsy's Appeals Center. For some individual listing removals you can also appeal from your shop's policy-violations page. Keep a copy of everything you send.

Want the letter written around your actual notice?

Paste your Etsy notice into DisclosureTrail. It works out which rule you're accused of breaking, what evidence answers it, and drafts the appeal point by point. Free preview, no login.

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Early-user offer: the first 10 people who tell us how their appeal turns out get the full $19 appeal packet free. Email your notice to hello@disclosuretrail.com.