What are samples?

TikTok Shop makes it easy to get sample products to feature in your content. There are two ways to get samples: Refundable Samples and Free Samples.
Refundable Samples are available to all eligible creators. You purchase the product, create content, and if your content drives the required number of sales within your window, you get your money back automatically, including shipping and tax. No seller approval needed.
Free Samples are available to creators who have generated sales on TikTok Shop within the last 120 days. You request a product directly from a seller at no cost, subject to eligibility and seller approval.
Once you receive your sample, bring the product to life by demoing it and sharing what you love in a public short-form video or a 10-minute TikTok LIVE. In "Manage Samples", you can see what samples have been approved or purchased, which still need content, and how your content performed. You’ll get to test and review lots of fun items, your viewers get to hear what you think, and you can form partnerships with sellers and brands for future collaborations!

Refundable Samples

Purchase a sample directly and earn a full refund, including shipping and tax, once your content drives the seller's stated sales goal. Refundable Samples let you skip the free sample approval process and get products without it counting against your free sample quota. Sellers usually require 1 to 3 orders generated.
There are two ways to get a Refundable Sample: through the Product Marketplace or directly at checkout when purchasing a product you already plan to feature. For the checkout option, see [Refundable Sample at Checkout].

Benefits

• Get samples without the wait: Discover and grab refundable samples from tons of brands with zero approval hassles. They don't count against your free sample request quota, so you can keep exploring new products.
• Show brands you drive conversions: Go beyond just making content and show brands you're a sales-driving force. This is your chance to prove your impact and turn viewers into buyers.
• Turn your sales power into a free product: Show off your influence by creating content that drives purchases. When your viewers buy, your sample becomes free.
• Flexible timing: Unlike free samples, there's no hard deadline to post after receiving your product. As long as qualifying sales clear the refund period before your 120-day window closes, you're good.

How It Works

Step 1: Order your sample

Find a product you're excited about and tap the Order refundable sample button. Select your preferred options like size or color, fill in your shipping details, and complete the purchase. You can apply most coupons and promotions to the order, though not all will be applicable to Refundable Samples.

Step 2: Create and post your content

Once you receive your sample, film your video or plan your LIVE session. When you post, make sure to attach the product link so your sales can be tracked. You have 120 days from receiving your sample to generate the required sales. Aim to hit your goal within the first 90 days, since this gives your orders time to clear the 30-day return period before your window closes.

Step 3: Hit your goal and get refunded

You can create multiple pieces of content about the same Refundable Sample to hit your sales goal. Once you do, the system will initiate your refund after the 30-day return period for each qualifying order ends. Sales generated close to the end of your 120-day window may not have time to clear the return period before the window closes, which is why we recommend hitting your goal within the first 90 days.

Tips

• Check for open requests first. If you already have a pending free sample request with a seller for a specific product, you won't be able to purchase a Refundable Sample of that same product. Clear one before trying the other.
• Post more than once. You can create multiple videos or go LIVE several times for the same product. All sales from content featuring that product link will count toward your refund goal.
• Starting September 1, 2026, commission applies to Refundable Sample orders placed through your affiliate link, including orders placed by other creators. Same commission rate, same 14-day settlement window, and same visibility in Creator Center as your standard affiliate commission.
• Canceling is an option. If you change your mind, you can cancel the order from your Order Details page before it ships. If it has already shipped, you can request a return within the standard return window.

Refundable Samples FAQ

1. Can I post multiple times about the same Refundable Sample?

Yes. All qualifying sales from any of your content featuring the product will be combined to help you meet the refund goal.

2. What happens if the product goes out of stock after I've bought a Refundable Sample?

If a product goes out of stock, TikTok Shop will notify the seller to restock it. Your refund timeline will be paused for 40 days to give them time. If the seller doesn't restock within 10 days, your refund goal will automatically be marked as complete and you will receive a full refund without needing to post any content.

3. How long do I have to meet my sales goal?

Your Refundable Sample window is 120 days from the date you receive your product. Aim to generate the required sales within the first 90 days so your orders have enough time to clear the 30-day return period before your window closes.

4. If another creator buys a Refundable Sample through my affiliate link, do I earn commission?

Yes. Starting September 1, 2026, you earn your standard affiliate commission on that order. It settles after the standard 14-day return window and appears in Creator Center then Commission.

Free Samples

Your Free Sample Limit

• Creator level: updated every month.
• Sample score: updated daily, based on your free sample activity over the past 30 days.
• Samples available to request: the number you can request right now, shown in Manage Samples and again when you request a sample.

How the Limit Works

• you meet the posting criteria for the sample;
• the seller rejects your request, or does not ship in time;
• you cancel the request before it ships;
• you report a sample issue and no post is needed.

How to Increase Your Limit

• Raise your creator level to raise your limit.
• Improve your sample score to use more of that limit. Post content with your samples within the posting window, post content for overdue samples if an extension is provided, and follow TikTok Shop guidelines.
• Clear your overdue samples - each one you post for restores part of your limit.

How to Discover and Request Free Samples

Start in Creator Center and browse the Product Marketplace or check your Collab Invites. On a product details page, if samples are available, you'll see a Get Sample button. You can get samples from sellers or from TikTok Shop directly. For more information on TikTok Shop Sample Points, view this guide.
When you request a sample from a seller, they reserve the right to approve, reject, or ignore your request. After pressing Request from Seller, complete the required information including size, contact details, and shipping information. Before you request, check Samples available to request so you know how much of your limit is free.

Requesting Multiple Variations: Multi-SKU Sampling

Want to request more than one variation of the same product, like different shades, sizes, or flavors? Multi-SKU Sampling lets you do that. You can return to the Get Sample page multiple times to request different SKUs of the same product until the seller's stock or your quota runs out. Note that you must post unique content for every SKU you receive.
This applies to both free and refundable samples, giving you maximum flexibility to cover a full product line.
For full details, see [Multi-SKU Sampling].

How to request samples in Product Marketplace:

Tip: Toggle on the Free Sample filter to quickly find products with samples available

Receive samples from Collab Invites:

Request Samples from Sellers

When you request a sample from the seller, sellers reserve the right to approve, reject or ignore a sample request. After pressing Request from seller, complete the required information to receive your sample, including size, contact details and shipping information.
Notes:

• Withdraw requests: After the sample request has been submitted, it can be canceled or withdrawn prior to the seller processing the sample for shipment. You can withdraw the request via the Withdraw Request button on the Request Details page.
• If you have already purchased a Refundable Sample and that order is in progress, you won't be able to request a sample from the seller.

Sample Posting Requirements

If you've requested a free sample from a seller, you are required to post promotional content within 14 days of receiving the product. Repeatedly missing these required timelines could result in receiving fewer sample opportunities or being removed from the program.
TikTok Shop will notify you 3 days and 1 day before your 14-day posting window expires to remind you to post.
To fulfill your posting obligation, post a short-form video that stays public for at least 3 days, or go LIVE for at least 10 minutes. Always include the product link so purchases from your content are attributed to you.

How to Re-Apply for Samples

• You can re-apply immediately after withdrawing your request by visiting the Sample Order tab and clicking Get It Again

• You can re-apply 30 days after your request is disapproved, expired, or canceled by visiting the Sample Order tab and clicking Get It Again

Create sample-based content for your followers

Show, demo and bring the sample product to life in a public short-form video that's posted for at least three (3) days or a 10-minute TikTok LIVE. Don't forget to include the product link.

To showcase the product on your TikTok LIVE, follow these steps:

1. From your Device Camera's Pre-LIVE screen, look for the Shopping Bag icon and Products.
2. Tap Add Products.
3. Tap Add for all the products you want to promote in your LIVE.
4. You will see all the products added to your LIVE and can remove products as well.
5. Tap Go LIVE!
6. Make sure you pin the sample product during your live stream for the live sample fulfillment to be considered valid.

To showcase the products on your Short Videos, follow these steps:

1. In the Post details page, tap Add Link.
2. Tap Product.
3. Tap Add for the product(s) you want to promote in the video.
4. You will see the tagged products and can remove products as well.
5. Tap Post!

Free Samples FAQ

1. What is my free sample limit?

2. Which free samples decrease my limit?

3. Does using a sample coupon decrease my limit?

4. Why did my limit change?

5. A sample is overdue. How do I get my limit back?

6. How can I increase my sample limit?

7. What happens if I have issues with my sample and can't post?

8. My limit is used up but I found a product I want to feature. What now?

9. When do I have to post by?

10. Can I request more than one sample of the same product?