Policy AdvisorPolicyTikTok Source

Custom Order Requirements

Captured: TikTok page date: Hash: f012b7e262c5

Creator TL;DR

AI-generated from the captured TikTok policy text. Verify against the TikTok source before acting.

TikTok Shop allows certain qualified US sellers to use made-to-order, pre-order, backorder, and custom handling time features for Seller Shipping orders. Each feature has specific eligibility, listing, and timing rules, and sellers must not use them for temporarily out-of-stock items unless the feature is specifically backorder. Misuse can lead to listing removal, account health deductions, suspension, or loss of selling privileges. These rules do not apply to standard orders or FBT orders.

Key points

  • These features apply only to qualified sellers using Seller Shipping in the US.
  • Made-to-order, pre-order, backorder, and custom handling time each have separate eligibility rules.
  • Sellers must clearly label listings as made-to-order or pre-order where required.
  • Orders must be updated to "In Transit" within the feature-specific timeframe.
  • Do not use pre-order, backorder, or custom handling time for temporarily out-of-stock items.
  • Backorder has listing and inventory caps.
  • Custom handling time is for in-stock products that take up to 7 business days to ship.
  • Violations may trigger enforcement actions or appeals processes.

Say / show

  • This feature is only for qualified US sellers using Seller Shipping.
  • Check the exact eligibility criteria before listing.
  • Label the product type clearly in the title and description.
  • Use these features only for the intended product type.
  • Verify the timeline for updating orders to "In Transit".
  • Backorder and custom handling time cannot be used for temporarily out-of-stock items.
  • Review the permitted made-to-order categories before listing.
  • Verify against the TikTok source before acting.

Do not say / show

  • This policy applies to all TikTok Shop orders.
  • FBT orders use these custom order requirements.
  • Pre-order can be used for temporarily out-of-stock items.
  • Custom handling time can be used for backordered items.
  • Made-to-order includes buyer-customized products.
  • You can ignore the product labeling requirements.
  • There are no caps or limits on backorder listings or inventory.

Violation risks

  • Feature suspension or restriction
  • Product listing removal
  • Deduction of points from Account Health Rating
  • Removal of selling privileges
  • Possible suspension if eligibility or listing rules are not met

Who it affects

  • US sellers who qualify for custom order features
  • Sellers using Seller Shipping
  • Sellers using made-to-order products
  • Sellers using pre-order products
  • Sellers using backorder products
  • Sellers using custom handling time

Source notes

  • This summary is based only on the provided source text.
  • The source says these requirements do not apply to standard orders or FBT orders.
  • The source says sellers should refer to the Fulfillment Policy and Seller Enforcement Policy for related rules and appeals.
  • TikTok Shop reserves the right to change category availability and restrict features at its discretion.
  • Verify against the TikTok source before acting.

Confidence: high · Model: gpt-5.4-mini · Prompt: creator-policy-summary-v1

Readable Policy Copy

Captured policy content rendered without TikTok navigation, scripts, tracking markup, or page chrome. Source: article-html.

Key Points:
  • We offer Made-to-Order, Pre-Order, Backorder, and Custom Handling Time features to help qualified sellers manage different fulfillment timelines.
  • Each feature has distinct eligibility and listing requirements, such as graduating from the Shop Probation program, meeting a minimum Shop Performance Score, and working with an Account Manager.
  • Sellers must follow strict guidelines for each feature, including clearly labeling product types, shipping within specified timeframes, and not misusing features for out-of-stock items.
  • These requirements do not cover standard orders, which have a dispatch SLA of 2 business days. Please refer to the Fulfillment Policy to learn more about standard order dispatch and delivery expectations.
This document outlines the requirements for custom orders using Seller Shipping, including pre-order, backorder, custom handling time, and made-to-order products. They are not applicable to orders using Fulfilled by TikTok (FBT). These requirements apply to all sellers selling in the US who qualify for custom order features. Sellers must comply with this document and the Fulfillment Policy when listing and selling custom order products on our platform.

Made-to-Order Products

Made-to-order products are manufactured after a purchase order is received. They are not buyer-customized products and can be resold if returned.

Eligibility Criteria

TikTok Shop's made-to-order feature is only available to select qualified sellers. To qualify, sellers must:
  • Have an active Account Manager.
  • No longer be in the shop probation period.
  • Maintain an "Active" shop status.
  • Do not have the pre-order feature.
  • Achieve and maintain a Shop Performance Score (SPS) ≥ 3.
If a seller does not meet the above criteria, they may be removed from the made-to-order feature.

Listing Requirements

Before listing a made-to-order product, sellers must:
  • Ensure the product listing is completely new to the seller's TikTok Shop store.
  • Clearly state in the title and description that the product is made-to-order.
    • For example, "[Made-to-Order] Halloween Graphic T-Shirt"
  • Use a standardized production method or offer limited variations (e.g., size, color, quantity).
  • Ensure orders are updated to "In Transit" within 1 business day of the seller specified handling time.

Permitted Categories

The table below lists the approved made-to-order product categories on TikTok Shop. Products listed in these categories must comply with all other TikTok Shop policies, including the Prohibited Products Policy and the Restricted Products Policy.
Industry CategoryPermitted Made-to-Order Product Categories
Fashion AccessoriesClothes Accessories, Costume Jewelry & Accessories, Hair Accessories
KitchenwareAll products under Kitchenware
Menswear and WomenswearAll products under Menswear & Womenswear
Books, Magazines, & AudioAll products under Books, Magazines, & Audio
Computers & Office EquipmentAll products except hardware computers
FurnitureAll products under Furniture
Home ImprovementAll products under Home Improvement
Home SuppliesAll products under Home Supplies
Luggage & BagsAll products under Luggage & Bags
Pet SuppliesAll products except oral products
Phones & ElectronicsOnly Cases
ShoesAll products under Shoes
Sports & OutdoorAll products under Sports & Outdoor
Textiles & Soft FurnishingsAll products under Textiles & Soft Furnishings
Tools & HardwareAll products under Tools & Hardware
TikTok Shop reserves the right to open up additional made-to-order categories for select qualified sellers at our discretion. We also reserve the right to close categories at our discretion.

Pre-Order Products

Pre-order products are purchased before they are available and fulfilled at a later date. Payment is pre-authorized at the time of transaction and captured during shipment.

Eligibility Criteria

TikTok Shop's pre-order feature is only available to select qualified sellers who meet the following:
  • Have an Account Manager.
  • No longer be in the shop probation period.
  • Maintain an "Active" shop status.
  • Do not have the made-to-order feature.
  • Achieve and maintain a Shop Performance Score (SPS) ≥ 4.
If a seller falls below the above qualification, they may be removed from the pre-order feature.

Listing Requirements

Before listing a pre-order product, sellers must:
  • Ensure the product listing is completely new to the seller's TikTok Shop store. This does not include previous versions or models of the product.
  • Clearly state in the title and description that the product is for pre-order.
    • For example, "[Pre-Order] Fantasy Dragon Figurine"
  • Ensure the product is not available for purchase in your shop until the specified shipment date.
  • Set the product release date between 3 - 60 calendar days when creating the pre-order listing.
  • Ensure that orders are updated to the "In Transit" status by 2 business days after the pre-order release date.
  • Do not use the pre-order feature for temporarily out-of-stock or backordered items.

Backorder Products

Backorder products are currently out of stock but can be shipped after a short delay. Sellers take orders for these products and ship them once they are restocked.

Eligibility Criteria

TikTok Shop's backorder feature is only available to select qualified sellers. To qualify, sellers must:
Sellers with the made-to-order or pre-order feature enabled are also eligible to use the backorder feature.

Listing Requirements

Before listing a backorder product, sellers must:
  • Enable the backorder feature for only one SKU (e.g., different size or color) per listing. If any SKU is set to backorder, the entire listing is considered a backorder listing.
  • Ensure that orders are updated to the "In Transit" status by 1 business day after the seller's specified handling time.
TikTok Shop limits the number of backorder product listings to 30, and backorder inventory is capped at a maximum of 10,000 units.
TikTok Shop reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to suspend or otherwise restrict access to the Backorder feature if potential abuse or misuse of the feature is detected.

Custom Handling Time Products

Custom Handling Time is a feature available for in-stock products that take up to 7 business days to ship.

Eligibility Criteria

TikTok Shop's custom handling time feature is only available to select qualified sellers that meet the following:

Listing Requirements

Before listing a SKU (e.g., a product variation like a specific size, color, or style) with custom handling time, sellers must:
  • Enable custom handling time for each SKU that requires it.
  • Ensure that orders are updated to the "In Transit" status by 1 business day after the seller's specified handling time.
Sellers must not use the custom handling feature for temporarily out-of-stock or backordered items.TikTok Shop reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to suspend or otherwise restrict access to the custom handling time feature if potential abuse or misuse of the feature is detected.

Enforcement Actions and Appeals

Sellers who do not meet the eligibility criteria and listing requirements for these features above may be suspended. Sellers may proceed to reactivate these features on the Fulfillment Performance page in Seller Center when they meet the eligibility requirements.
In addition, we regularly review your shop’s compliance with these requirements and may take enforcement action if any violations are identified. This may include removing product listings, deducting points from Account Health Rating, or removing selling privileges. For more information on enforcement actions, refer to our Seller Enforcement Policy.If you'd like to appeal an enforcement action, visit the Appeals section of our Seller Enforcement Policy for guidance on how to proceed.

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