Shipment Optimization

Summary

What is the purpose of the Shipment Optimization Service on TikTok Shop?

  • It automatically recommends the most cost-effective shipping option based on the customer's selected delivery speed (Express or Standard).

What are the key benefits of using the Shipping Optimization Service?

  • Cost savings by selecting economical shipping options.
  • Accurate fees matching customer payments.
  • Alerts for potential late deliveries.
  • Improved delivery estimates and transparent pricing.

How can sellers manage their shipping options in the Seller Center?

  • Update available services in Seller Center under Orders > Shipping settings > Shipping and delivery.
  • Keep as many services active as possible to maximize benefits.

What should sellers know about selecting different shipping options than the default?

  • If choosing a more expensive option, sellers pay the difference.
  • Only express services are shown if the buyer selects express; standard services if standard is selected.

What are the implications of selecting a shipping option marked "May arrive late"?

  • It may lead to late deliveries, poor customer experience, and refund requests if not eligible for co-funded shipping subsidy.

Shipment Optimization Service


The shipment optimization service automatically recommends the most cost-effective shipping option based on the delivery speed selected by the customer (Express or Standard). The customer's selected option will show as "default". If desired, you can opt for a different shipping service other than the default and pay the difference.
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Key benefits of the Shipping Optimization Service:
  1. Cost savings: The service automatically chooses the most economical shipping option that meets TikTok’s delivery guidelines, helping you cut down on shipping expenses.
  2. Accurate fees: No more confusion about shipping costs—the default shipping service will always match the amount the customer pays for their shipping.
  3. Late delivery alerts: If an order is at risk of being delayed or doesn’t meet TikTok Shop’s delivery standards, you’ll get a “May arrive late” alert. This gives you the chance to choose a faster shipping service if necessary.
  4. Improved delivery estimates: We’ve improved the accuracy of delivery dates in Seller Center, so you can have greater confidence in your shipment timing.
  5. Transparent pricing: All shipping options display mandatory surcharges upfront, providing you with a clear picture of the total shipping costs.
You are able to update the list of available services in your Seller Center shipping settings: Orders > Shipping settings > Shipping and delivery. However, we recommend keeping as many services active as possible to maximize the benefits of this feature.

FAQ

If you select a different shipping option that costs more than the default, you will be responsible for the difference.
  1. What happens if I choose a different shipping option than the default?
  2. Can I select an expedited speed when the default is standard?
If the buyer selected standard shipping, only standard shipping services will be shown in the dropdown. If buyer selected express shipping, only express services that a seller subscribed to will be shown in the dropdown.
  1. Can I select standard speed when the default is expedited option?
No, you will not have the option to select a standard service when a customer selected expedited.
  1. If the option says "May arrive late", what happens if I select it?
    • If your order isn't eligible for co-funded shipping subsidy: The package may arrive later than the specified timeframe from the order placed date, based on customer's chosen shipping option - 7 business days (standard) or 4 business days (express). This may lead to poor customer experience, and refund requests for delayed delivery.
    • If your order is eligible for co-funded shipping subsidy: To qualify for a co-funded free shipping subsidy, the order has to be delivered within the specific timeframe. Review What is Co-Funded Free Shipping? > TikTok Shop Reimbursement Eligibility section for full details on co-funded free shipping reimbursement eligibility.