Etsy does not issue GST numbers. A GST/HST number comes from the CRA, and whether you need one has nothing to do with Etsy itself: it depends on your total sales across every channel you sell on. Here is when Canadian Etsy sellers have to register, what changes inside Etsy once you do, and why some sellers register before they have to.
The $30,000 rule, counted across everything you sell
You must register for GST/HST once your worldwide taxable sales pass $30,000 over four consecutive calendar quarters. Two details trip Etsy sellers up:
- It is not per platform. Etsy, Shopify, craft fairs, wholesale orders, and custom commissions all count together.
- The clock is rolling. The test is the last four quarters together, not the calendar year. A strong Christmas season can push you over in February.
If you cross $30,000 inside a single quarter, you have to register within 29 days of the sale that put you over, and that sale is already taxable. If you cross gradually over four quarters, you get a short grace period: you stay a small supplier through the end of the month following that quarter.
What actually changes on Etsy when you add your number
Until you register, Etsy collects and remits GST/HST on your Canadian orders under the marketplace rules, and you do nothing. Once you register and add your GST/HST number in Shop Manager, that flips: Etsy stops charging your Canadian buyers tax on physical items, because collecting it is now your job through your own GST/HST return.
This is why adding the number matters. If you register with the CRA but never tell Etsy, your buyers can get taxed twice: once by Etsy at checkout and once by you. Enter the number in the correct field, since Quebec’s QST has its own separate field and putting your GST number there will error out.
The upside: getting back the GST you already pay
Registration is not only a burden. Once registered, you can claim input tax credits for the GST/HST you pay on business purchases: raw materials, packaging, equipment, software, and the GST/HST that Etsy charges on your listing fees and advertising. For a shop with real material costs, those credits can add up to more than the hassle of filing.
That is also why some sellers register before hitting $30,000. Registration below the threshold is voluntary, but once you register you must charge and file no matter your size, so it only makes sense when the credits are worth it.
How to get a GST/HST number
Registration is free and takes minutes through the CRA’s Business Registration Online, by phone, or through your accountant. You get a nine-digit business number with an RT account for GST/HST. Sole proprietors register under their own name; corporations under the corporate name. If you sell to Quebec buyers above Quebec’s thresholds, QST registration with Revenu Quebec is a separate step.
Frequently asked questions
Does Etsy give me a GST number?
No. Etsy is registered for Canadian GST itself, which is why GST/HST shows up on your seller fees, but your own number can only come from the CRA.
Do my Etsy sales count toward the $30,000 even though Etsy collects the tax?
Yes. The marketplace rules change who remits tax on the order. They do not change whose sale it is. Every taxable sale you make, on Etsy or off, counts toward your threshold.
Where do I enter my GST number on Etsy?
In Shop Manager under your legal and tax information. Make sure the GST/HST number goes in the GST field and a QST number, if you have one, goes in the QST field.
What happens if I pass $30,000 and do nothing?
The CRA can register you retroactively and assess the GST/HST you should have collected, plus interest. Since you cannot go back and charge old buyers, that tax comes out of your pocket. Catching it early is much cheaper.
Related guides
- Etsy GST/HST for Canadian sellers
- Does Etsy report to CRA?
- Do you need to register for PST as an online seller?
- See how our e-commerce bookkeeping service works
Not sure if you have crossed the line?
We register Etsy and marketplace sellers for GST/HST, set up the Etsy side correctly, and handle the filings after that. Get in touch and we will check your numbers with you.