Policy AdvisorPolicyTikTok Source

✨Policy Pulse (August 2026)✨

Captured: TikTok page date: Hash: 95fc2a191617

Creator TL;DR

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

TikTok Shop’s August 2026 Policy Pulse summarizes seller and creator policy changes that went into effect in August. It covers returns/refunds, FCC and CPSC claims, LIVE auctions, return addresses, abnormal returns, category expansion, Account Health Rating changes, underage content, prohibited behavior, high-risk regulated goods, weight management, blind boxes, affiliate auction eligibility, AI-generated misleading claims, and prohibited card breaks. Creators and sellers should check the linked TikTok policies before changing content, listings, or operations.

Key points

  • Minors cannot be the sole or primary on-camera focus in e-commerce content used to promote products.
  • Do not depict or endorse unlawful surveillance, hateful speech, or violent extremism in promotions.
  • Do not promote drugs, drug paraphernalia, tobacco, nicotine, or smoking-related items; presence alone can trigger enforcement.
  • Avoid misleading CPSC claims like “approved,” “certified,” or “tested.”
  • Weight-management content should avoid high-risk claims, quantified gains, timelines, and before-and-after comparisons.
  • Blind box and mystery box promotions now have added restrictions under Gambling Policy guidance.
  • AI-generated content must not add instant-effect edits, fictional functions, or exaggerated results beyond the PDP.
  • Card break content must avoid newly prohibited RTB and commercial repack formats.
  • Creators should verify affiliate auction eligibility under the updated criteria before applying or reapplying.

Say / show

  • Use evidence-backed compliance wording instead of “CPSC approved/certified/tested.”
  • Keep minors out of the sole or primary on-camera role in promotional content.
  • Review video and LIVE scripts for prohibited behavior, high-risk regulated goods, and blind box mechanics.
  • Match AI-edited claims to the product detail page and actual product function.
  • Check updated affiliate auction criteria before participating in auction-based campaigns.

Do not say / show

  • Do not market products as “CPSC approved,” “CPSC certified,” or “CPSC tested.”
  • Do not use minors as the main on-camera participant in product-promotion content.
  • Do not depict or promote unlawful surveillance, hateful speech, or violent extremism.
  • Do not depict, use, promote, or imply use of drugs, tobacco, nicotine, or smoking-related items in commercial content.
  • Do not make exaggerated AI-driven claims or show product results that exceed the product detail page.
  • Do not run prohibited blind box, mystery box, RTB, or commercial repack mechanics if they violate the updated policies.

Violation risks

  • Anchor removal
  • No-recommendation on For You, Shop, and Search
  • 60-day commission freeze
  • CHR minus 24 points
  • Enforcement or content removal
  • Suspension for unauthorized or unaffiliated return addresses
  • In-flight To-Ship orders may be canceled

Who it affects

  • Creators
  • Affiliate creators
  • LIVE sellers and hosts
  • Sellers
  • Brands using regulated claims
  • Creators promoting blind boxes, mystery boxes, card breaks, or regulated goods

Source notes

  • This summary is based only on the provided Policy Pulse source text.
  • Verify every requirement, exception, and enforcement action against the linked TikTok source before acting.
  • Some seller updates are included because the page says it covers both seller and creator policy updates.

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.

✨Welcome to Policy Pulse, your monthly roundup of the latest TikTok Shop policy updates.✨Catch up on all the highlights! Scroll to the end to revisit updates from earlier months and see what you’ve missed.We're sharing key Seller and Creator policy updates that went into effect in August. Below is a quick overview of what's changed and where to find more guidance.

Seller Updates

📦 TikTok Shop Now Reviews Fulfilled by TikTok (FBT) DNR Refunds

TikTok Shop moved eligible "package not received" refund-only cases for Fulfilled by TikTok (FBT) shipments from seller review to platform review. This reduces seller workload and standardizes decisions for cases where sellers may not have shipment-level visibility. Sellers are expected to monitor case and claim status in Seller Center and provide details only when TikTok Shop requests them. If a seller disagrees with the outcome and is eligible, they can still file a manual claim or appeal.

💻 FCC Compliance Update for Advanced Robotics and Connected Power Inverters

TikTok Shop reinforced that advanced robotics and connected power inverters must comply with updated FCC rules. Effective July 28, 2026, the FCC restricted the sale of certain foreign-made covered products, while previously FCC-authorized models may still be sold. Sellers should ensure the FCC record matches the exact model, retain supporting documentation, and avoid mislabeling RF-emitting products under unrelated categories. This tightens compliance and listing validation for electronics sellers.

🔗 Updated CPSC Approval and Certification Claims Guidance

TikTok Shop published updated guidance reminding sellers that CPSC does not approve, certify, or test individual products, so sellers should not market products as "CPSC approved," "CPSC certified," or "CPSC tested." Accurate, evidence-backed statements such as compliance with applicable CPSC rules, or testing by a CPSC-accepted third-party lab, remain acceptable. This mainly affects regulated listings, product detail pages, and marketing claims. The update is about tightening wording and preventing misleading regulatory representations.

🎁 LIVE Auction Courtesy Cancellation Update

TikTok Shop introduced a limited courtesy cancellation option for eligible customers on early LIVE Auction orders. Eligibility is narrow: it applies within the customer's first two auction aftersales requests and only before the order reaches Awaiting Collection. If approved, the order is automatically canceled and refunded, and the seller must not ship it. These courtesy cancellations do not count against seller cancellation metrics, while LIVE Auction orders otherwise remain final sale.

⚠️ Enforcement Update on Unauthorized and Unaffiliated Return Addresses

Effective August 5, 2026, sellers must use return addresses they own, are authorized to use, and that are affiliated with business operations. Sending returns to unauthorized, unaffiliated, residential, or non-verified addresses is now an enforcement issue. Shops found doing this may be suspended, and in-flight To-Ship orders may be canceled. Sellers should keep return address information current and use the appeal process if they believe enforcement was applied incorrectly.

📦 Important Update Regarding Abnormal Returns

TikTok Shop announced accelerated refund handling for two abnormal return scenarios. In Return to Sender cases caused by fake or incorrect seller addresses, the seller becomes liable, and in stagnant reverse logistics cases with no update for 10 or more days, the logistics partner becomes liable and the buyer may receive an immediate refund. The stated goal is to reduce long buyer wait times and avoid duplicate compensation outcomes. This is a meaningful returns-policy clarification for sellers with reverse-logistics issues.

🛍️ Expansion of Category Access

TikTok Shop opened selected categories to sellers without additional category requirements. For local sellers, newly open items include outdoor holiday decorations, contact lens accessory cases, youth footballs, and toothbrushes. For cross-border sellers, the opening also covers silver necklaces and rings, electric golf carts, emergency warmers, plant-fertilizer subcategories, and multiple test-prep segments. Sellers must still follow all listing standards and product eligibility rules.

📊 Updates to Account Health Rating (AHR) Violation Impact

Starting August 17, 2026, TikTok Shop updated how some policy violations affect Account Health Rating (AHR). Additional violation types may now affect AHR, some violations may deduct more points depending on type and severity, and violation notices show the score impact directly. The core AHR framework did not change: tier definitions, enforcement thresholds, the 180-day point window, and the appeal process all remain the same. For sellers, the practical change is that violation monitoring becomes more important because AHR impact is broader and more visible.

Creator Updates

👶 Underage Commercial Behavior Policy Expansion

TikTok Shop expanded coverage of the Underage Commercial Behavior Policy to e-commerce content where minors are the sole or primary on-camera participants, even when the minor is not verbally promoting a product. If a minor appears alone or is on camera for more than half the content duration, that content may not be used to promote products. Adult-led content with minors passively present remains out of scope. Creators should audit videos and LIVEs to make sure minors are not the on-camera focus of any commercial content.

🚫 Prohibited Behavior Policy Launch

TikTok Shop introduced a single Prohibited Behavior Policy that covers unlawful surveillance, hateful speech targeting protected attributes, and violent extremism in e-commerce content. Even when a product itself is permitted, depicting or endorsing prohibited behavior in a promotion may result in enforcement. Actions include anchor removal, no-recommendation on For You, Shop, and Search, a 60-day commission freeze, and CHR minus 24 points. Creators should review promotional framing for any product with sensitive use cases.

⚠️ High-Risk Regulated Goods Policy Launch

Drugs and drug paraphernalia and tobacco, nicotine, and smoking-related items are now classified as high-risk regulated goods, with both video and LIVE in scope. The presence of any of these products in content will result in enforcement, including when referenced through slang or visible smoke or vapor. LIVE enforcement is progressive for tobacco and nicotine and immediate for drugs and drug paraphernalia. Creators should not depict, use, promote, or imply the use of these products in any commercial content.

💪 Weight Management Policy Update

The Weight Management Policy now focuses enforcement on genuinely high-risk claims for buyers 18 and over, while low-risk weight loss claims will not be strictly enforced. High-risk muscle gain claims are in scope, and a Sports and Fitness Equipment exemption is retained. Creators should avoid quantified gains or timelines, before-and-after comparisons, pharmaceutical or steroid-equivalence claims, and intentional product misuse. Everyday, non-quantified weight loss language is given more leeway.

🎲 Blind Box Promotion Restriction Policy

TikTok Shop introduced new restrictions on how blind boxes and mystery boxes may be promoted in creator content. Creators promoting these products must follow the updated Gambling Policy guidance covering claim types, mechanics disclosure, and audience targeting. The restrictions apply to both video and LIVE. Review any blind box and mystery box promotions to ensure they meet the new standards.

🎤 Affiliate Creator Auction Eligibility Update

Updated criteria now apply to creator qualification for affiliate auction eligibility. Creators must review the Affiliate Marketing Policy for the latest requirements on who can participate in auction-based affiliate campaigns. The update affects both new applicants and creators re-qualifying after a lapse. Creators who lose eligibility can re-apply once they meet the updated criteria.

🤖 AI-Generated Content (AIGC) Refreshed Resources

A refreshed guide shows how content can become non-compliant when it uses instant-effect edits, fictional product functions, or exaggerated results beyond the Product Detail Page, with examples across cleaning tools, eyewear, knives, shoes, lights, fitness products, jewelry, and home goods. Review the guide before posting to make sure your video, LIVE, and claims match the product details.

🃏 Prohibited Card Breaks (RTB and Commercial Repacks)

The Gambling Policy has been updated with prohibited break types in random team break (RTB) and commercial repacks. Creators running card break content should review the policy to ensure break formats and mechanics are not among the newly prohibited categories. Non-compliant break content may be enforced against and removed. Card break promotions should also follow existing product eligibility rules.

July 2026

Seller Updates

📦 Updates to Return, Refund, and Appeal Timing

TikTok Shop updated return, refund, and appeal handling for in-transit returns and "I didn't receive the package" claims. Sellers must now wait until a returned package is marked as delivered before reviewing certain refunds or appealing refunded orders. Seller Center also includes new guidance to help verify return warehouse addresses and locate returned packages.
For more information, refer to Customer Order Cancellation, Return, and Refund Policy.

🚚 Forward Shipping Fee Refund Updates

TikTok Shop updated the forward shipping fee refund policy to standardize how refunds are handled for buyer-responsible returns. Forward shipping fees will no longer be refunded for buyer-responsible return reasons, while refunds will continue to be provided when the return is caused by a seller or logistics issue. This update aligns all buyers under the same refund policy and does not change the seller experience.
For more information, refer to Customer Order Cancellation, Return, and Refund Policy.

📮 Shipping Postage Fraud Enforcement Expansion

TikTok Shop expanded enforcement for Shipping Postage Fraud (UPO) to all cross-border and local managed sellers. The update explains how unpaid postage violations are identified, reminds sellers to use valid carrier postage and labels, and outlines the shop-level enforcement actions that may apply, including shipping restrictions, settlement impacts, Order Volume Limits (OVL), and, in severe cases, shop deactivation.
For more information, refer to Customer Order Shipping Requirements.

📦 Seller-Activated Pre-Order and Made-to-Order

TikTok Shop expanded access to Pre-Order and Made-to-Order by allowing eligible sellers to activate these features directly in Seller Center without Account Manager submission. The update also introduces refreshed eligibility criteria that sellers must meet to gain and maintain access. Eligible sellers can activate either feature from the Fulfillment Performance page and reactivate access once eligibility requirements are met again.
For more information, refer to Custom Orders Requirements.

💰 New Verification Process for Platform-Funded Shipping Subsidies

TikTok Shop introduced a new verification process for orders using platform-funded shipping subsidies. Following verification, the subsidy portion is credited to the seller account three days after the order is completed, meaning the order has been delivered and the after-sales period has ended. This update does not affect product revenue settlements, which continue to follow the designated settlement tiers.
For more information, refer to Fraudulent Order Prevention Requirements.

⚠️ New Hazmat Non-Compliance Fee for Improper Packaging

The United States Postal Service (USPS) introduced a $50 fee for packages with missing, incorrect, or outdated hazardous materials (hazmat) markings. Sellers shipping hazmat products should use appropriate packaging and labeling, verify that hazmat declarations accurately reflect package contents, and remove or fully cover outdated hazmat markings when reusing packaging. For Temporary Listing orders, required hazmat labels must be printed separately through the designated carrier.
For more information, refer to Dangerous Goods Requirements.

🌎 Country of Origin Listing Requirements

TikTok Shop introduced listing controls for products sourced from or manufactured in countries or regions subject to comprehensive economic or trade sanctions. Country of origin may be identified through listing information, product attributes, images, or packaging, and affected listings may be rejected. Sellers should ensure country-of-origin information is accurate and permitted and may appeal within 30 days if a product qualifies for an exemption or was rejected in error.
For more information, refer to the Prohibited Products Policy.

🧬 GLP-Related Product Requirements Updated

TikTok Shop updated its Body & Mental Wellness Products requirements to specify how products referencing GLP-related terms are treated. Products using “GLP,” “GLP-1,” “Glucagon-like peptide-1,” or similar terms in the product title or branding are prohibited. Products clearly marketed as supportive products for individuals using GLP-1 medications may be permitted if they otherwise comply with TikTok Shop policies. Sellers should review existing listings and ensure product packaging, branding, and listing information meet the updated requirements.
For more information, refer to Prohibited Products Policy.

🎁 Updated Surprise Sets Requirements

TikTok Shop updated the Auctions Requirements with clearer standards for Surprise Sets across product eligibility, pricing, listings, and LIVE presentation. The update specifies which products are eligible, requires accurate MSRP information and reasonable price variation, and requires listings and LIVE content to accurately represent the items buyers may receive. Placeholder item names are not permitted, and sellers may see additional validation during the listing process.
For more information, refer to Auctions Requirements.

⚠️ Dangerous Goods Guidance for Temporary Listings

TikTok Shop updated the Auctions Requirements to include Dangerous Goods (Hazmat) guidance for Temporary Listings used in LIVE Auctions. The update reminds sellers to accurately declare whether a product is regulated as hazmat during Temporary Listing creation, review supporting documentation such as a Safety Data Sheet (SDS), and comply with applicable packaging, labeling, and shipping requirements for regulated products.
For more information, refer to Auctions Requirements.

💬 Auction Order IM Cancellation

TikTok Shop launched a new in-message (IM) cancellation option for auction orders before shipment. Buyers can now request cancellation through Seller IM, and sellers can initiate a cancellation directly from the chat when both parties agree. The feature includes buyer confirmation, automatic refunds after confirmation, and a 24-hour confirmation window. It applies only to full-order cancellations before shipment.
For more information, refer to Agreed Cancellation for Auction Orders.

🎟️ New Virtual Goods Categories and Requirements

TikTok Shop expanded permitted Virtual Goods to include Online Courses and Concert Tickets for eligible invite-only sellers. The update also introduces requirements for digital delivery, listings, promotional content, pricing disclosures, and customer redemption. Online Courses must be digitally delivered with accurate promotional content and substantiated outcome claims, while Concert Tickets must include required event and pricing information and use digital code redemption. Off-platform purchasing and payment remain prohibited.
For more information, refer to Virtual Goods Requirements.

💻 Refurbished Electronics Requirements Updates

TikTok Shop updated the requirements for refurbished electronic products to provide clearer guidance on eligibility, listing requirements, and device condition standards. The update introduces standardized condition grades, clarifies approval requirements for different device conditions, and outlines documentation and product eligibility requirements for refurbished listings.
For more information, refer to Electronic Products Requirements.

💎 New Jewelry Products Requirements Page

TikTok Shop published a new Jewelry Products Requirements page that provides product qualification and documentation requirements for each jewelry type. Depending on the product, sellers may need to submit product and packaging photos, test reports or gemstone certificates from accepted laboratories or certification bodies, Certificates or Letters of Authenticity, and other product-specific documentation. All submitted documentation must match the product listing and product photos.
For more information, refer to Jewelry Products Requirements.

👶 New Children’s Portable Bed Rails Requirements

TikTok Shop published dedicated requirements for children’s portable bed rails, outlining applicable US safety and testing standards, product eligibility, and documentation requirements. Sellers must list products in the correct category and submit a legible, unaltered, product-specific Children’s Product Certificate (CPC) issued within the last 365 days. The CPC and listing information must match the product and include applicable safety standards, such as ASTM F2085 or 16 CFR Part 1224.
For more information, refer to Children’s Portable Bed Rails Requirements.

💊 English Labeling Requirements for OTC Medications

TikTok Shop updated OTC medication requirements to specify that product labels, Drug Facts panels, warnings, directions for use, and packaging must include clear and legible English. Additional languages may appear alongside English, but listings with required label content only in another language may fail review. Previously approved listings may also be removed if noncompliant labeling is identified during a recall review.
For more information, refer to OTC Requirements.

👶 Toddler OTC Medications for Ages 2–3 Now Supported

TikTok Shop now supports select OTC medications for toddlers ages 2–3 through an invite-only category for approved sellers. Eligible products must include manufacturer dosing for ages 2–3 on the FDA-approved label and meet applicable documentation, listing, labeling, and product approval requirements. Select fever, pain, and digestive medications may be permitted, while certain product types, including cold and cough, allergy, sinus, asthma, and decongestant medications, remain prohibited.
For more information, refer to OTC Requirements.

Creator Updates

🏷️ Price and Discount Claims Updates

TikTok Shop introduced updated violation guidance for misleading and expired discount claims in creator content. Discount claims must be accurate, verifiable against the product’s TikTok Shop listing price, and still valid when viewers see the content. Creators should clearly disclose any conditions that apply to a discount and only use time-sensitive or urgency language while the promotion is active. Content should be updated or removed when a promoted discount expires.
For more information, refer to the Price and Discount Claims Guide.

🔗 New Creator Bind Eligibility and Requirements

TikTok Shop introduced new requirements for shops linked to creators who receive serious enforcement actions. If a bound creator loses e-commerce permissions due to a platform violation, the associated shop may be reviewed and required to complete identity and business verification. During review, the shop may be restricted from adding new creators. Failure to complete verification, or submission of invalid or unverifiable information, may result in additional restrictions or shop closure.
For more information, refer to Creator Bind Eligibility and Requirements.

June 2026

Seller Updates

🛡️ Product Safety Appeals: New Appeal Guidance

TikTok Shop has added a new Appeal section to the Product Safety and Compliance Policy to help sellers understand how to approach safety enforcement appeals. The update gives clearer requirements for when and how sellers can submit an appeal after product safety enforcement action.
Sellers should review the new guidance before submitting appeal materials and ensure their documentation directly addresses the safety concern identified. For more information, see our Product Safety and Compliance Policy.

📢 Strengthened Enforcement for Inaccurate Tracking Information

TikTok Shop is strengthening enforcement against inaccurate or abusive tracking behavior, including orders where tracking information does not reflect actual shipment activity. Examples may include false pickup confirmations, missing in-transit scans, shipments from locations other than designated warehouses, or delivery updates before the package was received.
Sellers with significant confirmed violations may receive an extended settlement period in addition to existing enforcement actions. Severe or repeated violations may also lead to stricter account-level action, including shop deactivation. For more information, refer to our Fraudulent Order Prevention Requirements.

🧵 New Size and Material Consistency Controls

TikTok Shop is introducing new size and material consistency controls to improve listing accuracy and reduce customer confusion. These controls apply to selected categories including wigs, apparel, home textiles, and home supplies.
Listings may be reviewed for conflicting size or material information across the product detail page. Sellers should ensure product titles, attributes, descriptions, images, and other listing details are consistent before publishing or updating products. For more information, see the Guidelines for Listing Wig Products, Textile & Soft Furnishings Products, Home Improvement Products, and Apparel Products.

🚚 OTDR Update Now Effective for Eligible TikTok Shipping Orders

The previously announced On-time Delivery Rate (OTDR) update is now effective for eligible orders shipped through Collection by TikTok (CBT) or Upgraded TikTok Shipping. For these orders, OTDR will not be negatively impacted by carrier-related delivery delays as long as the seller dispatches the order within the applicable dispatch SLA.
Seller Shipping orders will continue to be evaluated against the delivery-by SLA, while Fulfilled by TikTok (FBT) orders remain excluded from OTDR calculations. Sellers should continue monitoring dispatch timeliness because late dispatch can still affect Late Dispatch Rate (LDR). For more information, see On-Time Delivery Rate Requirements, On-Time Delivery Rate Best Practices and FAQs, and the Fulfillment Policy.

🏢 Seller Entity Change Now Available in Qualification Center

TikTok Shop has launched a seller entity change flow in Qualification Center for eligible US L2L sellers and ACCU sellers. Previously, sellers who needed to change business ownership, upgrade from an individual to a corporate account, or update entity details often had to register a new shop and lose existing sales history and shop performance.
The new flow gives eligible sellers a more structured path to update shop entity information while preserving continuity where supported. Sellers should follow the requirements in the Changing your Seller Entity guide.

💡 AI-Generated Fulfillment Warning Messages

TikTok Shop is introducing AI-generated warning messages for fulfillment-related customer complaints. The model uses customer reviews, product descriptions, and product images to identify likely fulfillment issues and provide more specific guidance on potential root causes.
Warnings may cover issues such as missing items, wrong items, damaged products, empty packages, or thank-you-card-only shipments. This update is warning-only and is designed to help sellers address problems earlier; it does not introduce penalties, traffic controls, deboosting, or other enforcement actions.

💸 Customer Service-Initiated Partial Refund Requests

Starting June 2, 2026, TikTok Shop Customer Service may initiate partial refund requests on behalf of buyers for eligible aftersales issues in the US. This gives buyers a faster resolution path for certain order issues without requiring a return.
Sellers may see these partial refund requests in their aftersales workflow in Seller Center and should review them under the applicable return and refund process. For more information, see the Customer Order Cancellation, Return, and Refund Policy.

⭐ Customer Review Requests Best Practices and FAQs

TikTok Shop has published new guidance to help sellers request customer reviews in a compliant way. The guide explains what compliant review requests look like and what sellers should avoid, including rewards, review gating, or pressure that could undermine authentic feedback.
Sellers should use the guide to strengthen review-request practices while reducing review-policy risk. For more information, see Customer Review Requests Best Practices and FAQs and the Review Policy.

🔐 Buyer Information Protection and Customer Communication Updates

TikTok Shop has updated Customer Service Policy and Customer Information Protection requirements to provide clearer guidance on how buyer information may be collected, used, stored, and protected. The update also clarifies expectations for seller communications with customers.
The updated guidance covers Buyer Personally Identifiable Information (Buyer PII), prohibited uses of buyer information, restrictions on soliciting buyer information, and off-platform communication expectations. Sellers should review the Seller Enforcement Policy and Customer Service Policy for full details.

🧾 CPSC E-Filing Requirements Take Effect July 8, 2026

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) will begin enforcing its E-Filing program on July 8, 2026. Importers of products that require a Children’s Product Certificate (CPC) or General Certificate of Conformity (GCC) must electronically submit Certificate of Compliance data before products enter the United States.
Sellers importing products subject to CPSC certificate requirements should review the updated process and prepare required certificate data ahead of enforcement. For more information, see the CPSC eFiling Guide.

🪙 Surprise Set Expansion: Coins and Currency

TikTok Shop is expanding Surprise Set eligibility to include eligible coins and currency within the Collectibles category. This feature is available to eligible sellers only and remains subject to Collectibles and Auction requirements.
For Surprise Sets that include eligible coins and currency, the maximum bidding price is $1,000 for graded and ungraded coins and currency. Non-circulating coins must follow applicable Collectibles Requirements. For more information, see Collectibles Requirements and Auction Requirements.

🔗 Connected Accounts Guidance Update

TikTok Shop has updated Connected Accounts content in the Seller Enforcement Policy to provide clearer guidance on how connected accounts are identified and how related enforcement actions may apply. The update explains the types of operational, business, and technical overlap that may indicate accounts are connected.
The guidance clarifies that accounts do not need to match in every respect to be considered related and reinforces seller responsibility for shops managed or operated by third parties on their behalf. For more information, see Understanding Connected Account Risks Best Practices and Appeal FAQs and the Seller Enforcement Policy.

🚫 Deactivated Shops Removed from Invite-Only Categories

TikTok Shop is removing deactivated shops from invite-only category access lists. Invite-only categories are intended for active sellers, so deactivated shops will no longer retain invite-only category permissions as part of category access maintenance.
This update does not change an existing shop deactivation status and does not apply additional enforcement action by itself. Active shops are not impacted by this cleanup. For more information, see the Restricted Products Policy.

🛍️ Clearer Final Sale Rules and Buyer Protection

TikTok Shop is updating aftersales rules for Live Auction orders, Collectibles, and Pre-Owned items by adding clearer Final Sale treatment for change-of-mind returns. Buyers cannot return or refund these orders simply because they changed their mind, but buyer protections still apply for valid order issues.
Sellers should make sure listings and customer communications set the right expectations for Final Sale items while continuing to follow applicable aftersales requirements for valid claims. For more information, see the Customer Order Cancellation, Return, and Refund Policy and Auction Requirements.

🌱 Live Plants Category Qualification Update

TikTok Shop has updated category qualification requirements for Live Plants to streamline the documentation process for L2L sellers. Quarantine Compliance Agreement and Phytosanitary Certificate controls have been removed from Live Plants category qualification requirements for L2L sellers.
Plant photo and label requirements now vary by seller type. Nursery sellers must submit a valid Nursery License or Certificate issued by a state department of agriculture, while resellers must follow the updated documentation requirements in the Live Plants guidance. For more information, see the Live Plants Policy.

🔌 Refurbished Electronic Products Guidance Updated

TikTok Shop has updated the Electronic Products Requirements to provide clearer seller-facing guidance for Refurbished Electronic Products. Refurbished electronic products remain available only to invite-only sellers; this update does not introduce a new category or expand seller eligibility.
The update clarifies existing requirements and establishes standardized condition grades to support future refurbished electronics expansion. For more information, see Electronic Products Requirements.

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