Seller Terms and Conditions for Countdown Bidding - US
Captured: TikTok page date: Hash: d54fb92602dd
Creator TL;DR
AI-generated from the captured TikTok policy text. Verify against the TikTok source before acting.
Countdown Bidding is a TikTok Shop LIVE auction feature for sellers. Sellers must meet eligibility rules, follow TikTok policies, set auction details before start, and fulfill the winning order after the auction ends. TikTok can cancel or rerun auctions for technical issues or fraud, and violations can lead to penalties or disqualification.
Key points
Eligible creators may host Countdown Bidding for invited sellers.
Creators must use the seller's auction setup rules and cannot change auction terms after the auction starts.
Creators can choose auction type and duration only from the system options.
Winning orders are created automatically and payment is processed immediately.
If payment fails within the shown countdown window, the order is canceled and the item may be re-auctioned in the same LIVE session.
Say / show
Verify eligibility, auction type, and duration in the TikTok system before going live.
Set all auction terms before the auction starts.
Follow TikTok Shop Seller Terms, TikTok Shop Advertising Policies, and other applicable TikTok Policies.
Fulfill winning orders under normal TikTok Shop fulfillment requirements.
Use only honest bidding behavior; report suspected fraud or technical issues through TikTok channels.
Do not say / show
You can change bid price, auction length, or auction structure after bidding starts.
Reserve prices are allowed.
Multiple items can be auctioned at the same time in one auction session.
Auction-only items can be converted into regular listings after listing.
Shill bidding, bots, or automated bidding manipulation are allowed.
Violation risks
Auction cancellation or rerun by TikTok.
Disqualification from Countdown Bidding events.
Future auction participation restrictions.
Penalties for fraud or policy violations.
Enforcement action against the linked seller for Marketing Account breaches.
Who it affects
Sellers
Eligible creators hosting Countdown Bidding
TikTok Shop Marketing Account operators acting for a linked seller
Buyers participating in the auction
Source notes
This summary is based only on the provided TikTok source text; verify the current TikTok page and related policies before acting.
TikTok states it may modify these Terms at any time, and continued participation is treated as acceptance.
The source says TikTok's decision is final for disputes related to Countdown Bidding.
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.
These Countdown Bidding Terms and Conditions ("Terms") are a binding agreement between you ("Seller," "you," or "your") and BD TikTok USA LLC, ("TikTok," "we," or "us"). By participating in the Countdown Bidding Activity ("Activity") on the TikTok Shop platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms and TikTok’s general Terms of Service, TikTok Shop Seller Terms of Service, TikTok Advertising Policies, and TikTok Shop Policies (collectively, the "TikTok Policies"). These Terms are subject to modifications by TikTok at any time, with updates communicated to you via the TikTok platform.
Countdown Bidding Overview
The Countdown Bidding feature allows you to auction items in real-time during TikTok LIVE broadcasts. As a Seller, you will create auctions for individual or surprise- based products that participants can bid on, with the highest bid at the end of the auction winning the item. Bidders can participate by manually placing bids or setting automatic bid limits. The auction will conclude with the highest bidder, and the item will be sold to them at the final price. There are two types of auctions you can host:
Fixed Auction: The countdown timer is final — bidding closes exactly when it hits zero, with no additional time added.
Extended Auction: If a bid is placed during the final moments of the auction, the timer will automatically reset with each new bid. The extension duration is configured by the LIVE host and will be displayed on the user interface. This extension can occur multiple times until no further bids are placed before the timer expires.
Seller Eligibility
To participate in Countdown Bidding, Sellers must meet the following criteria:
Be in good standing with TikTok Shop and meet the Seller Performance Score requirements as outlined in the TikTok Shop Seller Terms of Service.
Maintain no outstanding GNE (General Negative Experience) violations.
Ensure their Seller Center account is in a positive balance and free of issues related to payment or performance.
Listing Requirements for Countdown Bidding
To list an item for Countdown Bidding, the item must be marked as "Auction" during the listing process.
Auction-only items cannot be sold as regular listings, nor can regular listings be converted into auction items once listed.
Sellers are responsible for setting the starting bid price and choosing the auction duration from a list of pre-determined times available in the system.
Only one item can be auctioned per auction session, and only one auction can be run at a time. For multiple quantities of the same item, each quantity must be auctioned separately.
Auctions must conclude once the timer runs out, and no reserve price is allowed (i.e., Sellers must sell the item to the highest bidder, regardless of the final bid amount).
Seller Responsibilities and Fulfillment
As a Seller, you are obligated to fulfill any order once the auction has ended and the winning bid has been placed.
Orders must be fulfilled according to the normal TikTok Shop fulfillment requirements.
All Countdown Bidding items are subject to normal category return/refund policies.
Sellers are prohibited from modifying or altering the auction terms (such as time, bid price, or auction structure) once the auction has started.
Sellers may announce the winning bidder's username in the LIVE session once the auction ends.
Creator Countdown Bidding Hosting
Certain eligible Sellers can include Countdown Bidding hosting opportunities in their target collaboration invites to eligible creators, which permits these creators to host LIVE broadcasts featuring such seller's Countdown Bidding items. For these collaborations:
Sellers continue to be responsible for creating the Countdown Bidding listing, setting the starting bid price, and order fulfillment.
Invited creators will choose the type of auction (Fixed Auction or Extended Auction) and the auction duration from a list of pre-determined times available in the system, and Sellers agree to be bound by these parameters and the outcomes of such auctions.
Invited creators are also prohibited from modifying or altering the auction terms (such as time, bid price, or auction structure) once the auction has started.
Seller and creator eligibility for creator Countdown Bidding hosting is determined in TikTok's sole discretion.
Payment and Order Processing
Upon a winning bid, the order will be created automatically, and payment for the item will be processed immediately.
If a payment is not successfully completed within the time period following auction closure, as communicated to you or your creator LIVE host via a countdown timer in the list of sold items in the LIVE console (which will not exceed 15 minutes), the order will be automatically canceled. A Seller or creator LIVE host may re-auction the item within the same LIVE session if order is cancelled due to incomplete payment.
Cancellation of Auctions
TikTok reserves the right to cancel any auction or re-run an auction in case of technical difficulties or suspected fraudulent activity.
In cases of technical issues, TikTok may choose to re-run the auction at its discretion.
In the event that an auction is canceled due to fraud or other violations, the Seller’s participation in future auctions may be restricted, and penalties may apply.
Fraud Prevention
Shill Bidding (bidding on your product or coordinating with others to drive up the price) is strictly prohibited. Any suspected fraud will result in immediate cancellation of the auction and potential penalties for the Seller.
TikTok may disqualify Sellers if there is evidence of attempts to manipulate the bidding process or engage in fraudulent activity, including using automated bidding tools or bots.
Violation of any TikTok policies or these Terms may result in penalties, including cancellation of the auction or disqualification from Countdown Bidding events.
TikTok Shop Marketing Account
If you manage a "TikTok Shop Marketing Account", you represent and warrant that you have been granted full authority by the Seller to whom your account is linked (the "Linked Seller"), to perform any and all actions related to the creation, management, and operation of Countdown Bidding activities on the Linked Seller’s behalf, including without limitation, listing products, setting auction parameters (including auction type, duration, and starting bid price), and engaging with users during LIVE broadcasts. You further acknowledge and agree that (i) all such actions will be considered actions of the Linked Seller, (ii) you will comply with these Seller Terms, the TikTok Policies, and applicable law, and (iii) any breach of these Seller Terms by you may result in enforcement action against the Linked Seller, who remains fully responsible and liable. In such cases, references to “you” or “your” in these Terms shall include the Linked Seller in connection with any actions taken on its behalf, and all representations, warranties, and obligations under these Seller Terms shall apply to the Linked Seller accordingly, unless expressly stated otherwise.
Force Majeure
TikTok is not responsible for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by events outside of our reasonable control, including but not limited to force majeure events such as natural disasters, pandemics, or actions taken by governments.
Disputes and Governing Law
In the event of any dispute related to Countdown Bidding, or the interpretation of these Terms, TikTok's decision shall be final and binding.
Any legal matters will be governed by TikTok's Terms of Service, which are incorporated by reference into these Terms.
Disclaimer; Exclusion of Warranty
TikTok acts solely as an intermediary platform to facilitate the Countdown Bidding Activity between the Buyer and the Seller. Except as expressly set forth in these Terms, TikTok makes no promises or guarantees regarding the Countdown Bidding feature, the outcome of the auctions, or the effectiveness of any promotional activities. TikTok makes no express or implied warranties (including, but not limited to, warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement) regarding any item listed for auction. You, the Seller, bear full liability and responsibility for all items offered.
TikTok does not guarantee specific sales growth or success through participation in Countdown Bidding.
Severability
If any provision of these Terms is found to be illegal, invalid, or unenforceable, the provision will be severed, and the remaining terms will remain in full force and effect.
Modifications to Terms
TikTok reserves the right to modify or update these Terms at any time. Any updates will be communicated, and continued participation in the Countdown Bidding Activity will be deemed acceptance of these changes.
General Provisions
These Terms are governed by the same General Provisions set forth in TikTok's TikTok Shop Seller Terms of Service, including dispute resolution, arbitration clauses, and any other related legal provisions.
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