Compare Shipping Solutions

04/29/2025

Setting up Shipping

Summary

What are the main differences between Seller Shipping, TikTok Shipping, and Fulfilled by TikTok (FBT)?

  • Seller Shipping requires sellers to manage inventory, carriers, and shipping costs, while TikTok Shipping automates carrier selection and offers discounts.
  • FBT involves TikTok handling inventory and shipping, offering faster dispatch and automatic compensation for logistics issues.

How can sellers enroll in each shipping option on TikTok Shop?

  • Seller Shipping and TikTok Shipping can be enrolled through Seller Center, with TikTok Shipping as the default for new sellers.
  • FBT is invite-only, and sellers can find more information and sign-up details on TikTok Shop.

What are the key responsibilities and liabilities for sellers under each shipping option?

  • In Seller Shipping, sellers manage all shipping aspects, including costs for returns and logistics issues.
  • TikTok Shipping automates some processes but still requires seller action for order splitting/combining.
  • FBT minimizes seller responsibilities, with TikTok handling most logistics and compensation claims.

What are the implications of switching between Seller Shipping and TikTok Shipping?

  • Switching affects only future orders; previous orders retain the original shipping setting.
  • Sellers must manage shipping settings at the account level, as mixed settings for different orders are not allowed.

  1. Overview

image

  1. Seller Shipping, TikTok Shipping

, and Fulfilled by TikTok (FBT) Differences
Seller ShippingTikTok ShippingFulfilled by TikTok (FBT)
EnrollmentIn Seller CenterIn Seller Center (default setting for new sellers)Invite-only
Integration solutionsShopify: yesWooCommerce: yesChannel Advisor: yesShopify: yesWooCommerce: noChannel Advisor: noShopify: noWooCommerce: noChannel Advisor: no
Inventory storage ahead of shippingSellerSellerTikTok
Setting preferred carriers, services, and ratesSellerEligible carriersSellerEligible carriers: USPS, UPS, Fedex *TikTok's warehouse partner determines the best carrier based on available rate cards (package weight/dimensions/distance/etc.)
Selecting carrier/shipping speed for an orderSeller TikTok platform will automatically assign a service (based on buyer's selected shipping options and seller's preferred carrier). Seller has the option to reject this selection, and choose from other available options (these options are based on seller's shipping settings/rules). Note that the seller is liable for the cost differenceTikTok
Available shipping discountsTikTok offers promotional discounts on eligible orders *TikTok offers most customers free shipping at checkout *TikTok Shop offers most customers free shipping at checkout *
Procuring the shipping label for the parcelSellerTikTokTikTok
Splitting orders into separate packagesAvailable, requires seller action prior to arranging pick up/drop off. Seller is liable for the additional cost. *Available, requires seller action prior to label printing. Seller is liable for the additional cost. *Available, TikTok's warehouse partner will determine if needed *
Combining multiple orders into a single packageAvailable, requires seller action prior to arranging pick up/drop off. *Available, requires seller action prior to arranging pick up/drop off. *Available, TikTok's warehouse partner will determine if needed *
Shipping the order (providing the tracking number via RTS)Seller must ship within dispatch SLA (3 business days for standard shipments)Seller must ship within dispatch SLA (3 business days for standard shipments)TikTok (ships within 1 business day)
Uploading tracking numbersSeller (only one edit)TikTokFor USPS, Shipping Manifest feature is availableTikTok
Who bears the cost for the package in case of Return to Sender?SellerTikTokTikTok
Returns/Refunds management (approving/rejecting)SellerSellerTikTok for some scenarios, Seller for others (We are continuously working to have more scenarios handled by TikTok)
Seller compensation claims for logistics issues (if buyer refunded)Not eligible for Seller compensation for any logistics issuesEligible for Seller compensation for logistics issues
  • Delivered not Received (DNR): file a compensation request with TikTok
  • Other logistics issues (Lost, Damaged):
  • USPS/UPS: file with carrier
  • Fedex: file with TikTok
Eligible for Seller compensation for logistics issues. In some cases, compensation might be issued automatically. For all other instances file a compensation request with TikTok
Customer service for buyers facing logistics issuesSellerTikTokTikTok
* subject to change or limitations

How to Enroll in Each Shipping Option

Seller Shipping and TikTok Shipping

Fulfilled by TikTok (FBT)

Note: New sellers are set to TikTok Shipping by default. In Seller Center, go to Orders > Shipping and Delivery Settings (top left corner of the screen). In the following screen, click Delivery. The following screen includes the options to switch between Seller Shipping and TikTok Shipping, and here is where the seller can make their selection.Important things to note:
  1. Seller Shipping/Tiktok Shipping is selected on account level. It's not possible to select Seller Shipping for some orders, and Tiktok Shipping for others.
  2. If this setting is changed in Seller Center, the change will only apply orders received after the change. Any previous orders would have the previous setting applied. E.g. If you change from Seller Shipping to TikTok Shipping on Nov 8, any orders placed before Nov 8 would still need to be shipped by seller using Seller Shipping.
image
If you are interested in FBT, you can find more information and sign up details on TikTok Shop
PreviousTikTok Shipping: OverviewNext Scheduling a Pickup or Dropoff

You may also be interested in