Policy AdvisorPolicyTikTok Source

Auction Requirements

Captured: TikTok page date: Hash: 470d6697e94c

Creator TL;DR

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

TikTok Shop auctions must use the Countdown Bidding Feature and are only allowed for TikTok-approved categories and formats. Sellers and creators also have eligibility, disclosure, listing, and enforcement rules, with extra requirements for Surprise Sets, Temporary Listings, and related auction activities.

Key points

  • Auctions must use TikTok Shop’s Countdown Bidding Feature.
  • Only TikTok-approved categories and formats are allowed.
  • Auction orders are final sale, with limited return/refund rights for valid issues.
  • Sellers must verbally disclose the Final Sale policy at the start of every auction stream.
  • Surprise Sets have strict content, display, pricing, and reveal rules.
  • Temporary Listings must accurately match the product shown and sold.
  • Access depends on health/eligibility checks, and TikTok can remove access at any time.

Say / show

  • Use the Countdown Bidding Feature for live bidding.
  • Check whether the category/format is expressly allowed before running an auction.
  • State that auction orders are final sale at the start of the stream.
  • Make sure product listings match the item, category, and LIVE content.
  • Use official TikTok tools for randomization and reveals.
  • Verify seller/creator eligibility before attempting auction features.

Do not say / show

  • Don’t run auctions outside the Countdown Bidding Feature.
  • Don’t offer auctions in unsupported categories or formats.
  • Don’t use misleading, prize-like, or value-based claims for Surprise Sets.
  • Don’t hide or misrepresent items in a Surprise Set.
  • Don’t use external, offline, manual, or misused randomization/reveal methods.
  • Don’t promise cancellations or returns beyond the stated auction rules.

Violation risks

  • Loss of access to auction-related features.
  • Interrupting LIVE streams.
  • Removing ability to offer Surprise Sets.
  • Deducting Account Health Rating points.
  • Removing product listings or revoking selling access.
  • Issuing customer refunds.

Who it affects

  • Sellers
  • Seller-type creators
  • Affiliate creators
  • Buyers

Source notes

  • Verify against the TikTok source before acting; this summary is based only on the provided page text.
  • The page says these requirements apply to both sellers and creators.
  • Auctions are also subject to TikTok Shop’s Gambling Policy and Collectibles Requirements.

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
  • These requirements apply to both sellers and creators.
  • Auctions on TikTok Shop must be conducted through TikTok Shop's Countdown Bidding Feature.
  • Auctions are permitted only for categories and formats that TikTok Shop expressly allows, including collectibles and eligible Surprise Sets. Auctions for unsupported categories or formats are prohibited.
This document sets out the requirements for auctions on TikTok Shop. These rules are designed to ensure a fair, transparent, and safe experience for all users, thereby protecting the integrity of the platform. Auctions are also subject to our Gambling Policy and Collectibles Requirements. Sellers must comply with this document, our Gambling Policy, and our Collectibles Requirements when conducting auctions.

Auctions

An auction is a sale where items are sold to the highest bidder. Customers place bids, and when the auction ends, the item is sold to the customer with the highest bid.

Permitted Auction Format

Auctions on TikTok Shop are permitted only for categories and formats that TikTok Shop expressly allows, including collectibles and eligible Surprise Sets. Auctions for unsupported categories or formats are prohibited.
All live bidding must be run using TikTok Shop's Countdown Bidding Feature. This feature includes a built-in timer that allows customers to place bids while the countdown is active. When the countdown ends, the highest bid will be locked in.
Any auctions or related activities conducted outside the Countdown Bidding Feature are not allowed. Misuse of the Countdown Bidding Feature is also prohibited.
TikTok Shop prohibits behaviors that undermine platform integrity. Creators engaging in such activities may, at TikTok Shop's discretion, lose access to auction-related features.

Auction Listing Requirements

Sellers must ensure auction listings accurately represent the product being offered for sale. Products must be listed in the category that most accurately represents the item. If the correct category requires Category Qualification, sellers must obtain approval before offering the product through an auction.

Auction Final Sale

Auction orders are final sales. Buyers cannot return auction items due to a change of mind.
For valid issues (such as items that are missing, damaged, not received, or not as described), buyers may request a return or refund within 14 days of delivery and must provide evidence.

Cancellation Rules for Auction Orders

Buyers cannot directly cancel auction orders before the seller ships the order.
If a buyer would like to request cancellation before shipment, they can contact Customer Service or message the seller. Cancellation requests submitted before shipment will be reviewed by the seller. Customer Service may also assist with cancellation requests for reasons such as accidental purchase or unauthorized purchase.
If a cancellation request is submitted after the seller ships the order, it will be handled according to TikTok Shop’s current cancellation policy.

Auction Protection

Auction Protection is a platform-level safeguard for auction orders. It gives buyers a clear path to support for valid seller-fault issues while preserving the finality of auction wins.
Covered issues:
  • Item not received
  • Item arrived damaged or defective
  • Item not as described or shown during the live session
  • Missing items
Not covered:
  • Change-of-mind reasons (buying by mistake, no longer needed, finding a better price)

Buyer-Facing Disclosures for Auction Orders

  • Buyer-facing pages will display Final Sale and Bid with Confidence messaging.
  • Sellers are required to verbally disclose the Final Sale policy at the start of every auction stream.

Eligibility for Auction Access

Countdown Bidding Feature Eligibility

The Countdown Bidding feature is available to eligible sellers, seller-type creators, and affiliate creators. Eligibility requirements vary by participant type.

For Sellers

To use the Countdown Bidding feature, a seller must:
  • Have an Account Health Rating (AHR) > 150
  • Not be under Temporary Account Restriction Requirements
  • Not have violations of the Intellectual Property Policy

For Seller-Type Creators

To use the Countdown Bidding feature, a seller-type creator must:
  • Have a Creator Health Rating (CHR) > 150
  • Not be under a LIVE ban or temporary suspension
  • Not engage in potentially manipulative or deceptive activity (see Creator Enforcement Policy)

For Affiliate Creators

To appear in sellers' Auction target plans, use Auction features, and access the Countdown Bidding feature, affiliate creators must meet all of the following platform-level eligibility requirements:
  • Pass platform compliance checks.
  • Not be under a LIVE ban or temporary suspension.
  • Have a Creator Health Rating (CHR) > 150.
  • Have a Product Promotion Score (PPS) > 3.5.
  • Not engage in potentially manipulative or deceptive activity (see Creator Enforcement Policy).
This eligibility gate only determines whether affiliate creators are visible in sellers' Auction target plans and can access Auction features. It does not change the underlying enforcement policies.The Countdown Bidding feature can be used in both LIVE Manager (PC) and the TikTok Shop app. TikTok Shop reserves the right to remove access to this feature at any time. For more details on feature access and enablement, refer to the Countdown Bidding feature guide.

Temporary Listing Products

A Temporary Listing is a fast way to add products to a LIVE session. These listings are temporary and will not sync to TikTok Shop stores or Shopify. Once the LIVE session ends, the listing is removed. If the same product is featured in a future LIVE session, a new Temporary Listing must be created.
Sellers are responsible for ensuring each Temporary Listing accurately represents the product offered for sale. The following are required:
  • Product listed and sold matches the selected category and sub-category
  • Product information (for example, title, images, brand, condition, and other details) is accurate and not misleading.
  • Product shown or described during LIVE matches the product in the Temporary Listing
  • No false or inaccurate information in the listing or associated LIVE content
  • When Temporary Listings are used together with mystery boxes or similar products, sellers must comply with the Mystery Boxes and Similar Products Requirements and the Gambling Policy
    • In accordance with the Gambling Policy, any randomization or reveal process must be conducted using official TikTok Shop tools. Use of any external tools, randomization and reveals done manually or offline are not permitted.
Products must be listed in the category that most accurately represents the item. If the correct category requires Category Qualification, sellers must obtain approval before offering the product for sale through a temporary listing.To help buyers make informed purchase decisions and reduce post-purchase disputes, sellers are requested to follow the recommended practice and display the product on camera before offering it for sale during LIVE.

Dangerous Goods / Hazardous Materials

Sellers are responsible for accurately declaring whether a product is regulated as a dangerous good or hazardous material (hazmat) when creating a Temporary Listing, if prompted during the listing process.
Products that may be regulated as hazmat include, but are not limited to:
  • Perfumes
  • Essential oils
  • Paint products
  • Aerosols
  • Products containing lithium batteries
Sellers should review applicable product documentation, such as a Safety Data Sheet (SDS), to determine whether a product is regulated as hazmat. Products subject to dangerous goods requirements must comply with all applicable packaging, labeling, and shipping requirements. For more information, refer to the Dangerous Goods Requirements.

Eligibility for Temporary Listing Access

Temporary Listing access is available only to eligible sellers and creators who meet the following requirements:
For Sellers:For Creators:
  • CHR > 150
  • Creator has not violated more than 6 times in the last 30 days: Creator Enforcement Policy
  • Pass Platform Compliance Checks
  • Not to be under a LIVE ban or temporary suspension

Surprise Sets

A Surprise Set is a type of auction product offering in which the exact item or items purchased are revealed after the auction ends. Access to the Surprise Set feature is limited to eligible sellers.

Product and Category Requirements

  • Products must be listed in an eligible category. Eligible categories include:
    • Collectibles
      • Collectible products may include trading cards, comics and manga, model cars, and non-circulating coins.
    • Beauty & Personal Care
    • Toys and Hobbies
    • Sports and Outdoor Leisure Equipment
    • Home Supplies
    • Phones and Electronics
    • Fashion Accessories
  • Non-circulating coins must still follow our Collectibles Requirements for documentation and approved grading services.
  • The following products are not allowed in Surprise Sets:
    • iPhones and iPads (new or refurbished)
    • Televisions
    • Diamonds
    • Gift cards
    • Bullion
  • All items in a set must come from the same category or sub-category. For example:
    • Sport trading cards and non-sport trading cards cannot be included in the same Surprise Set.
    • Jerseys cannot be included in the same Surprise Set as trading cards.
    • Game consoles cannot be included in the same Surprise Set as cables, chargers, adapters, or console accessories.
  • All items in a set must be manufacturer-sealed, in original packaging, and unmodified.
  • All items in a set must have similar retail or market value.

Pricing Limits

Sellers must comply with the following maximum bidding price limits per Surprise Set:
  • Collectibles and Preowned: maximum bidding price of $5,000 per set
    • Coins and currency (graded or ungraded): maximum bidding price of $1,000 per set
  • All other eligible categories: maximum bidding price of $500 per set
    • Products in these categories are subject to applicable category return requirements, which may include Change of Mind returns.
In addition, each item included in a Surprise Set must meet the following minimum and maximum market value requirements:
CategoryMin Value Max Value
Beauty and Personal Care
$20
$500
Collectibles
$50
$5000
Fashion Accessories
$20
$500
Home Supplies
$50
$500
Phones and Electronics
$50
$500
Sports and Outdoor
$50
$500
Toys & Hobbies
$20
$500
  • Products with a market value exceeding the maximum value for their category may not be included in a Surprise Set.

Listing and LIVE Display Requirements

When creating and promoting a Surprise Set, sellers are required to:
  • Provide complete information for each possible item included in the Surprise Set, including:
    • Brand or manufacturer
    • Product name
    • Condition
  • Example:
    • [Insert Brand Name] 3-in-1 Charging Cable
    • [Insert Brand Name] Wireless Controller
    • [Insert Brand Name] Protini Polypeptide Cream
  • Do not use generic placeholders or proxy descriptions for potential items (for example, "Item #1," "Mystery Item," or "item on screen").
  • List the quantity of each possible item included in the set.
  • Select the correct eligible category and sub-category.
  • Provide accurate product dimensions, where applicable.
  • Explain the randomization and reveal process accurately.
  • Use the official TikTok randomization tool for all Surprise Set reveals.
    • External, offline, or manual randomization methods are prohibited.
    • Surprise Sets must not be offered through pre-sales, loyalty programs, memberships, rewards programs, or similar arrangements.
  • During LIVE:
    • Display all possible items included in the Surprise Set on screen.
    • Do not conceal or obscure possible items from view.
    • Do not display a quantity of any item that exceeds the quantity actually available within the Surprise Set.
    • Reveal the item received immediately after each Surprise Set purchase.
    • Do not use background displays or visual materials that misrepresent the Surprise Set, including but not limited to: indirect emphasis on higher-value items, inflated or inaccurate portrayal of item value or product, or display of products not included in the set.
  • Examples of prohibited practices include, but are not limited to:
    • Displaying a blank screen or otherwise failing to show all possible items included in the Surprise Set.
    • Concealing possible items from view, including placing them behind furniture, displays, or other objects.
    • Displaying a greater quantity of an item than is actually available within the Surprise Set.
    • Delaying or failing to reveal the item received after a Surprise Set purchase.

Prohibited Claims

For product listings and LIVE content, sellers must not use misleading, prize-like, or value-based claims when offering Surprise Sets. This includes, but is not limited to:
  • Monetary Value Claims
    • Any guaranteed, implied, exaggerated or comparative value, including:
      • Minimum or maximum values (for example, "floor of $X," "ceiling of $X")
      • Value ranges or averages (for example, "between $X and $X," "average value $X")
      • Upside framing (for example, "worth up to $X")
  • Market or Pricing Comparisons
    • References to external pricing or valuation, including:
      • Market prices or recent sales (for example, "market price is $X," "last sold for $X," "based on comps")
      • Grading- or authentication-based value (for example, "PSA 10 chase," "certified worth $X")
  • Prize or Gambling-Style Language
    • Framing that suggests winnings or chance-based rewards, such as:
      • "Grand prize," "jackpot," "golden ticket," "gamble ticket," "spin the wheel," "lottery".
  • Investment or Appreciation Claims
    • Claims or implications that items:
      • Will increase in value
      • Will retain value
      • Should be treated as an investment
  • Scarcity or Urgency Framing
    • Exaggerated or unverifiable rarity or urgency, including:
      • "Once-in-a-lifetime," "you’ll never see this again"

Customer Purchase Limits

The following purchase limits apply to certain product transactions in the following categories:
  • Customers under 25 years old may purchase up to 8 products per day in the following categories: Surprise Sets, card breaks (where packs of cards are opened live for a customer), lucky scoops (where a scoop of mixed items is sold), and blind boxes (sealed boxes containing a random collectible item).
  • Customers who purchase 20 products in these categories (Surprise Sets, card breaks, lucky scoops, and blind boxes) will enter a 15-minute cool-off period before additional purchases in these categories can be made. After every additional 20 purchases in these categories, another 15-minute cool-off period will apply.

Feature Access Pathways

Eligible sellers may access the Surprise Set feature through the following pathways:
From Seller Center
  1. Go to Manage Products
  2. Click Add New Product
  3. Select Create Surprise Set
From LIVE Console
  1. Schedule an event and select Go LIVE
  2. Go to the Surprise Set tab, or
  3. Select Auctions, then click Create Surprise Set

Enforcement Actions and Appeals

We regularly review shops for compliance with this document, our Gambling Policy, and our Collectibles Requirements. If any violations are identified, TikTok Shop may take enforcement action at our sole discretion. This may include, but is not limited to:
  • Interrupting Surprise Set LIVE streams
  • Removing your ability to offer Surprise Sets
  • Deducting points from your Account Health Rating
  • Removing product listings
  • Revoking your access to offer products for sale
  • Issuing refunds to customers
For more information on enforcement actions, refer to our Seller Enforcement Policy. To appeal an enforcement action, visit the Appeals section for guidance.

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