AI-generated from the captured TikTok policy text. Verify against the TikTok source before acting.
This page sets the rules for TikTok Shop LIVE auctions for buyers. It explains who can bid, how bids work, payment and shipping requirements, what can cancel an auction, and when TikTok can disqualify participants.
Key points
LIVE auctions happen during select seller-hosted or creator-collaborated LIVEs.
Bids are binding, final, and cannot be canceled once placed.
Winning bidders are charged immediately when the auction ends.
You must have a verified payment method and shipping address, be 18+, and be in good standing.
Shill bidding, bots, tampering, and fraud can lead to cancellation, disqualification, or suspension.
Auction items do not get the 1-hour cancellation period and no regular promotions/discounts apply (except shipping promotions).
TikTok may cancel or rerun an auction for fraud, technical issues, or at its discretion.
Return and refund rules follow the category’s return policy.
TikTok says it is an intermediary, not an auctioneer, and item claims are against the seller.
Say / show
Verify the buyer’s payment method, shipping address, age, and account standing before bidding.
Tell buyers bids are final and legally binding.
Tell buyers they will be charged immediately if they win.
Tell buyers to review the category return policy for any LIVE auction item.
Tell buyers to double-check their shipping address because delivery issues are their responsibility.
Tell creators/operators to avoid any coordination that could look like shill bidding.
Note that TikTok can cancel, postpone, or rerun an auction under the stated conditions.
Include a source check reminder before acting: verify the current TikTok source page and related TikTok Policies.
Do not say / show
Do not say bids can be withdrawn after submission.
Do not say auction items qualify for the standard 1-hour cancellation period.
Do not say regular promotions or discounts apply to auction items.
Do not say TikTok guarantees item condition, authenticity, or fitness for purpose.
Do not say TikTok is the auctioneer or auction house.
Do not encourage or permit shill bidding, bots, or other bidding manipulation.
Violation risks
Cancellation of the auction or the order.
Disqualification from the Activity.
Blocking from future LIVE auction events.
Potential account suspension.
Losses, delays, or delivery problems tied to incorrect shipping information may be the buyer’s responsibility.
Who it affects
Buyers participating in TikTok Shop LIVE auctions.
Sellers hosting LIVE auctions.
TikTok Shop creators collaborating on LIVE auctions.
Operators managing auction events and bidding moderation.
Source notes
The source says to review the relevant category return policy for return and refund rules.
The source says TikTok’s decision is final and binding in disputes about the Activity.
The source says these Terms sit alongside TikTok Policies, and the Terms of Service controls where there is a conflict.
Verify against the TikTok source page and linked TikTok Policies before taking action, since TikTok says it may update terms and policies.
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.
LIVE AUCTION TERMS AND CONDITIONSThe Activity (described below) and all participants ("You" or "customer") shall be subject to the terms and conditions as set out below (these "Terms"). The promoter of the Activity is BD TikTok USA LLC (“TikTok”, "we", or "us"), a company registered in the United States, with its registered office at 5800 Bristol Parkway, Suite 100, Culver City, CA 90230.
These Terms form a binding legal agreement between us and the participants in the Activity, and set forth terms and conditions for the participation in the Activity available on the application owned or controlled by us, including, without limitation, TikTok mobile application ("Platform"), our related websites, services, applications, products and content owned or controlled by us.
These Terms are subject to, and shall also include, our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, TikTok Shop Buyer Terms, and other policies on the Platform as such terms may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms therein (altogether, the "TikTok Policies"). In the event of any conflict between these Terms and our Terms of Service, these Terms shall prevail. We reserve the right to suspend, postpone or cease the Activity at any time without prior notification.
Activity
TikTok Shop's LIVE auction (the "Activity") allows participants to submit offers to make a purchase from third-party sellers (the "Sellers") during select LIVEs hosted by Sellers or their collaborating TikTok Shop creators. Participants can submit an offer manually or set a maximum purchase offer which would enable automatic submissions based on the Participant's selected limits. Participants can view offers submitted by other participants throughout the LIVE. A countdown timer will be displayed during the LIVE auction event, and all offers must be submitted prior to the conclusion of the countdown timer. The participant with the highest submitted offer at the end of the timer will be purchaser of the item and obligated to purchase the item. There are two types of auctions participants can partake in:
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.
The products available in the auction may be individual products or surprise- based products. Individual products are known to the participant prior to purchase. Surprise-based products will be revealed after the winning bid is decided. Surprise-based product value is limited to $5000 and no bid may exceed this amount.
Eligibility
To participate in LIVE Auction, you must:
Have a verified payment method and shipping address in your account.
Be at least 18 years old.
Be in good standing with TikTok.
Placing a Bid
You must enter or update your payment method and shipping address before placing a bid. We will place a temporary hold on your payment method to verify funds.
By placing a bid, you are making an irrevocable and legally binding offer to enter into a contract with the Seller of the item if you submitted the highest offer.
Once the auction ends you will be charged immediately. The item will be shipped to the shipping address you provided, or to your default shipping address if none was updated.
Payment and Charges
If your payment method fails, you will have a limited time to add a valid payment method, as shown by the countdown timer on the user interface. After that time, your order will be canceled.
If payment cannot be processed, you may be blocked from participating in future LIVE auction events.
Bidding Rules
All bids are binding and final. Once a bid is placed, it cannot be retracted or canceled.
No promotions or discounts (other than shipping promotions) apply to auction items.
There is no 1-hour cancellation period for auction items. Your ability to cancel is waived upon participation of the Acitivty.
Auction items cannot be purchased at a fixed price and will only be available through bidding.
Shill Bidding: Any manipulation of the bidding process, including bidding on your own item or coordinating with others to artificially increase the price (shill bidding), is strictly prohibited and will result in cancellation, disqualification, and potential account suspension.
Return and Refund Policy
LIVE auction items will follow the return and refund rules of the category they belong to (please review the relevant category return policy).
Cancellation of Auctions
TikTok reserves the right to cancel an auction for reasons such as suspected fraud, technical issues preventing the auction from running smoothly, or at TikTok's sole discretion.
In the case of technical issues, TikTok may choose to re-run the auction.
We are not responsible for any event of force majeure (including natural disasters, activities subject to the instructions of government agencies, cyberattacks, pandemic, actions taken by governments meeting the 'force majeure' definition), system failure qualifying as 'force majeure', actions of third parties (other than our subcontractors), which results in loss, damage or disappointment suffered by you as a result of your participation in (or inability to join) the Activity.
Shipping
If you win the auction, the item will be shipped to the address you provided at checkout or the default address if no update was made. Please ensure your shipping address is accurate, as any delays or issues with delivery are your responsibility.
Fraud Prevention
TikTok reserves the right to cancel any auction suspected of fraudulent activity. TikTok reserves the right to disqualify or block any Participant from Activity use if we have grounds to believe that (i) you have tampered with or attempted to tamper with the process or operation of the Activity; (ii) you have breached these Terms or any TikTok Policy; (iii) you have engaged in any activity not in the spirit of the Activity; (iii) you have made misrepresentations or engaged in any illegal, criminal or fraudulent activity in connection with the Activity; (iv) you have employed any agent or bot or an external automated process to participate for you.
Disputes and Governing Law
In the event of any dispute arising regarding the Activity, or relating to the corresponding interpretation of these Terms, TikTok's decision shall be final and binding on all parties.Any legal matters will be governed according to TikTok's Terms of Service.
Disclaimer; Exclusion of Warranty
The Platform acts solely as an intermediary provider and merely facilitates the transaction between the Seller and You. As an intermediary, TikTok:
Is NOT an auctioneer or auction house and is not subject to state or federal auctioneer licensing requirements;
Disclaims any responsibility for verifying that Sellers possess necessary licenses or comply with any legal or regulatory requirements related to the sale of the item; and
Makes no representations or warranties regarding the condition, authenticity, or fitness for a particular purpose of any item sold through the Activity. All claims regarding the item are against the Seller.
Other than as expressly set out in these Terms, TikTok does not make any promises or commitments about the Activity, or Platform, such as the specific function of the Activity, or its reliability, availability, or ability to meet your needs.
Severability
If any of the terms herein are found to be illegal, invalid otherwise unenforceable, then they shall be deleted from these Terms and the remaining terms shall survive and remain in full force and effect.
Modifications to Terms
TikTok reserves the right to modify or update these terms at any time. Any changes will be communicated to you, and your continued participation in LIVE auction constitutes acceptance of these changes.
Policy Advisor
Fast policy guidance from captured TikTok Shop snapshots.