Selling on Etsy from Cameroon comes with its unique challenges. Etsy does not officially support sellers from most African countries, in...
Selling on Etsy from Cameroon comes with its unique challenges. Etsy does not officially support sellers from most African countries, including Cameroon, which can make creating an account and starting sales tricky. However, it is possible to build a working Etsy account and earn income if you follow the right steps. In this guide, I’ll show you how I made over $200 in just 30 days selling on Etsy from Cameroon and how you can do the same.
Understanding Etsy’s Country Restrictions
Etsy only allows sellers from specific eligible countries. Most African countries, including Cameroon, are not officially supported. Only South Africa and Morocco are allowed in Africa.
If your country is not listed, creating an account directly from Cameroon will likely result in account suspension after verification.
Why Accounts Get Suspended
When setting up an Etsy account, Etsy requires personal verification. This includes:
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A Social Security Number (SSN) if you’re in the U.S.
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Or an EIN if running a business in eligible countries.
These numbers must match the name you used to create the account. Without them, Etsy flags your account as suspicious and suspends it.
My Strategy for Selling on Etsy from Cameroon
Since I do not live in an eligible country and do not have an SSN or EIN, I partnered with a trusted contact abroad:
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I asked my friend in Australia to create the Etsy account using their verified information.
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They added their bank account and completed all verification steps.
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I manage listing items, generating sales, and handling the store, while sharing profits with my partner.
This method allowed me to create a realistic, fully verified Etsy account that has already generated $239 in under three weeks.
What I Sell
For my Etsy store, I focus on digital products, including:
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Digital prints
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Downloadable artwork
Digital products are ideal because there are no shipping costs, and Etsy’s listing fees are minimal. For example:
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Gross revenue: $332 AUD
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Fees: ~$10 AUD
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Net profit: $212 AUD
Sales happen every day, with a high conversion rate of nearly 11%.
Why This Method Works for Cameroonians
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Etsy requires strict identity verification through Persona, which matches your ID with an SSN or EIN.
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Accounts created without valid documentation are automatically suspended.
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Partnering with a trusted friend in an eligible country ensures your account passes verification.
This is currently the most realistic and legal method for Cameroonian sellers in 2025.
Important Notes
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Previously, you could create Etsy accounts from Cameroon without verification.
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New security measures now require identity verification to prevent fraud.
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There is no hack or shortcut to bypass Etsy’s verification legally. Partnering with a verified contact is the safest way.
FAQs for Cameroonian Sellers
1. Can I create an Etsy account directly from Cameroon?
No. Cameroon is not on Etsy’s list of eligible countries. Attempting to create an account directly will likely result in suspension.
2. What documents are required for Etsy verification?
You need a Social Security Number (SSN) or EIN that matches your legal name, plus a valid bank account for payouts.
3. Can I use a friend’s account abroad to sell?
Yes, as long as you have a trusted partner in an eligible country. They handle verification and banking while you manage product listings and sales.
4. What types of products are best to sell from Cameroon?
Digital products like prints, designs, and downloadable artwork are ideal because they require no shipping and have low fees.
5. How much can I realistically earn?
Earnings vary, but my store made over $200 in under 30 days with only 100 listings and consistent daily sales.
6. Is this method legal?
Yes, as long as you have a mutual agreement with your partner and share profits transparently.
Selling on Etsy from Cameroon is possible, but it requires understanding the platform’s restrictions and following a legitimate method to verify your account. By partnering with a verified friend in an eligible country and focusing on high-profit digital products, you can create a successful Etsy store from Cameroon in 2025.
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