KANIVA – Shop, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How does KANIVA Shop work?
● KANIVA works on most common browsers, such as Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and Safari. Using other browsers or a VPN is not recommended, as it may affect the site’s functionality.
● Creating a shop and listing products for sale on KANIVA is free. For each sold product, KANIVA charges a commission of 6% or 12% of the listed price.
● Each seller manages their own shop, meaning they create the product listings, take photos, and ship orders from their own inventory. Every purchase is therefore a direct purchase from the seller/company, and KANIVA does not hold its own stock.
● Customers can currently purchase products from only one seller at a time across all EU countries. After purchase, the order and payment are automatically processed via Stripe Express between the seller and KANIVA. Sellers ship the products from their own inventory. For this reason, the seller can also set their own shipping and return costs.
How can seller costs be so low?
● KANIVA Shop was created to support craft entrepreneurs, artists, and small businesses. It is important to note that KANIVA Shop is not our only source of revenue.
● We aim to provide a fairer option in international markets and value handmade products and sustainable development.
● The commissions received by KANIVA are used for expanding the platform and marketing the products available for sale.
What can I sell in the KANIVA Shop?
◦ KANIVA is not a flea market for used items, nor a sales channel for cheap imported goods from China.
◦ KANIVA provides a marketplace for craftspersons and artists from EU countries to sell handmade products they have created themselves.
◦ KANIVA offers a marketplace for businesses to sell or resell craft products and supplies.
◦ Products accepted for sale must be eco-friendly and produced according to sustainable development principles.
◦ Handmade products are those created or designed by the seller.
◦ Sellers agree to comply with copyright laws and to use their own photos and video materials of the products.
● Sellers of made-to-order products agree to offer them at a fixed price and may not use images of previous works with customization options without clearly stating that they are examples only.
We encourage you to be transparent about how your products were made and where your materials come from.
You can indicate whether your products are environmentally sustainable, such as using organic or recycled materials.
Do I need a credit or debit card to create a shop?
● No, you do not need a credit or debit card to create a shop, and you will not incur any fees until you have sold your first product.
● KANIVA will never ask for your bank or card details; if someone does, it is a scam prepared by a third party. KANIVA’s payment processing is handled externally by the specialized company Stripe.
What do I need to do to create a marketplace shop?
● Creating a shop is easy. Set up a seller account (if you don’t already have one), configure your shop and choose a shop name that will be visible to customers, create a listing, and set up a payment method (how you want to receive payments). To receive payments, you must be at least 13 years old.
What should I do if I can’t find a suitable category for my product?
● If you can’t find a suitable category for your product, it will automatically be placed in the “Other” category.
● Feel free to contact us at verkkokauppa@kaniva.fi, — we can consider adding new categories.
What are the fees on KANIVA Shop?
● Joining KANIVA and setting up your shop is free. There are no hidden costs for selling:
○ no registration fees,
○ no listing fees,
○ no advertising fees,
○ no monthly fees,
○ no currency exchange fees!
● KANIVA only charges a sales commission on the listed price of a sold product (6% for verified businesses and 12% for private individuals).
● Other costs include Stripe / Stripe Express payment processing fees for card payments: 1.5% + €0.25 per transaction. (Stripe’s pricing may change.)
● The shop currency is EUR for all users.
I accidentally sold a product I no longer have. What should I do?
● It’s courteous to inform the buyer about the situation. You can issue a refund by logging into your Stripe account. Select the purchase, choose “Refund,” and enter the amount. The money will be returned to the card used for the payment.
● If this feels too complicated, don’t hesitate to contact us at verkkokauppa@kaniva.fi — we can help you handle the situation.
I feel I have been scammed. I haven’t received my order for two weeks, and the seller isn’t responding. What should I do?
● Send us a copy of your order confirmation to verkkokauppa@kaniva.fi, and we can help you handle the situation.
● We use the Stripe service, which allows us to file a complaint. If it is determined that you have been scammed, we can initiate a refund process from the seller’s Stripe account. Please note that this may take longer than a refund issued directly by the seller.
Does KANIVA also hold 30–75% of my funds for payment processing or services?
● No, KANIVA’s percentage is 0%. We do not hold any of your funds as a deposit.
Why only the EU region?
● Within the EU, shipping procedures are standardized, and no additional customs clearance is required. It’s as easy as domestic shipping. Of course, you can also choose to sell your products only within your own country.
How do I receive my payments?
◦ Ages 18 and over: Once you’ve connected your Stripe Express account, incoming payments are automatically sent to the bank account you provided.
◦ Ages 13–17: After connecting your Stripe account, automatic deposits are made to your Stripe account once a month, on the first day of the month.
● If you forget to complete the Stripe Express / Stripe connection, your sales funds will be held in a Stripe account owned by KANIVA, which is primarily reserved for minors. You can transfer the funds to your own account once the connection is fully completed.
Why didn’t I receive my payment in my account the day after my first sale?
● Stripe and Stripe Express accounts have a 7-day delay when new accounts are connected and verified. We cannot influence this, as it is part of Stripe’s security procedures. After this delay, your payments will be sent to your account according to the schedule you’ve set, even daily if you choose. You can check payout speeds for your country here.
Will the price of my product change if I sell it to a country with a higher or lower VAT rate?
● Yes and no. At KANIVA, we believe you want to receive the price you set for your product. No law prevents selling the same product at different gross prices in different countries, so your product’s price will be automatically adjusted according to the buyer’s country VAT. This ensures that your net sales price remains the same across all EU countries, regardless of tax differences.
Tax Responsibility?
◦ KANIVA online shop does not collect taxes on purchases.
◦ Each seller is solely responsible for their own tax reporting and for paying any applicable taxes to the authorities.
● The marketplace operator does not act as a tax collector or provide tax advice.
Tax Handling?
● Sellers list their product prices including taxes; the internal system automatically calculates the applicable tax rates.
Reporting Sales?
● Sellers must comply with local, regional, and national tax laws and report their sales revenue appropriately to the tax authorities.
● We recommend consulting a local tax advisor or contacting the tax authority to clarify your specific tax and reporting obligations for your business.
Does being part of the marketplace restrict me in any way?
● Etsy, Amazon, eBay… If you want, you can sell there too. We don’t mind how many platforms you sell your products on. What matters most to us is that you don’t make a loss.
Account Deletion / Suspension
● You cannot delete or “suspend” your account yourself. If you wish to delete your seller account, please contact our online store at verkkokauppa@kaniva.fi
● KANIVA reserves the right to suspend a seller’s or customer’s account if we detect misuse or any activity that violates the law.