Refundable Samples Terms & Conditions for Creators

04/08/2026

Introduction

The Refundable Sample program (“Program”) is a offered by TikTok Inc. (“TikTok”, “we”, “our”, “us”). By participating in the Program, eligible creators can purchase and potentially receive refunds for sample products, subject to these Program Terms and Conditions. These Programs Terms and Conditions is subject to, and incorporates by reference, the TikTok Creator Campaign Terms, TikTok Terms of Service, TikTok Shop Creator Terms of Use, TikTok Community Guidelines, TikTok Advertising Policies, and any applicable TikTok Shop policies and guidelines as updated or amended from time to time (collectively, “Online Terms”). The terms “you” and “your” throughout these Program Terms and Conditions refer to any eligible creator. 

Participant Eligibility
1. The Program is open to all content creators who meet the specified criteria outlined below:
  1. Participant must be at least 18 years old and reside in the United States to participate in the Program; and
  2. Participant is a qualifying TikTok Shop e-commerce creator;

If Participant meets both criteria, Participant is considered an "Eligible Creator".

Program Structure
1. General
  1. Eligible Creators have the opportunity to purchase products that Sellers have made be eligible for a refund if creator meets Seller's "Refund Criteria" (as defined below).
2. Purchasing Flow
  1. Eligible Creators must enter through the Creator Product Marketplace to access and view products eligible for product sample refunds.
    1. If Eligible Creator makes a purchase through the consumer side TikTok Shop experience by "add-to-cart" or "buy-now" entrance, the Refundable Sample Program is not available and will not apply.
  2. Eligible Creators can only buy one product that is eligible for a refund (one SKU at a time) in order for Program benefits eligibility; if Eligible Creator purchases two products in a single-cart order, even if such products were marked as eligible for refund, such single-cart order will be treated as a regular purchase without the Program benefits.
    1. Only one sample order is allowed at a time (between free samples and refundable samples).
      1. If a free sample request is active for a particular product, a refundable sample of the same product cannot be purchased unless the request is withdrawn, rejected, or expired.
      2. If a refundable sample is purchased, a free sample of the same product cannot be requested unless the Refund Criteria are not met, or a return/refund is initiated.
  3. All eligible TIkTok Shop buyer promotions can be applied to products purchased in the Creator Product Marketplace, including on products that are eligible for a refund.
  4. Orders can be canceled and addresses changed like a regular purchase order.
  5. Returns or refunds can be initiated within the aftersale window (typically 30 days after the last user order has shipped but is subject to the specific returns/refund policy for the specific product).
    1. Once a return or refund is initiated, the Refund Criteria will be canceled regardless of the outcome.
  6. A creator will not earn commission if another creator purchases a product as a Refundable Sample from that creator's content. For avoidance of doubt, standard purchases made without the Refundable Sample offer will still earn the applicable commission as set by the seller.
3. Refund Criteria
  1. General
    1. Seller will provide Eligible Creators with a refund offer if Eligible Creator meets the Sales Criteria (the "Refund Criteria").
  2. Sales Criteria
    1. Generate the required number of sales orders according to sellers' criteria within 120 days of receiving the sample product.
      1. Sales orders can come from short videos, LIVE sessions, or showcases.
      2. Sales orders must pass the refund/return period to be counted as valid.
      3. If Eligible Creator performs a self-purchase, placing an order using the Creator's own shoppable content/Showcase, such sale will not count toward the Sales Criteria.
      4. The refund/return period is typically 30 days after buyer delivery, though periods may vary by seller settings and temporary campaigns.
      5. Note: We recommend that creators aim to generate qualifying sales within 90 days of receiving the sample product. Orders generated after day 90 may not clear the refund/return period before the 120-day window closes. Therefore, creators are strongly encouraged not to wait until the final days of the eligibility window.
4. Refund Flow
  1. If the Refund Criteria is achieved:
    1. Once the Refund Criteria is met, a refund in the amount of the product purchased by the Eligible Creator will be initiated.
    2. Refunds will be deposited in the original form of payment; if there are issues with the original form of payment, the fund can be deposited into the TTS credit account.
    3. Typically, refunds take 5-10 business days to appear in creators' bank accounts, subject to additional terms.
    4. Creators will receive a refund equivalent to the actual purchasing price.
      1. If a coupon was used for the purchase, the coupon will be made available again to the creator for re-use, unless the coupon has already expired; such coupon will be subject to the original terms and conditions of that coupon.
  2. If the Refund Criteria is not achieved:
    1. If Refund Criteria is not met, Eligible Creators may still request a refund, but refunds are subject to Seller approval and is not guaranteed.
    2. Creators can choose to purchase the sample product again or request a free samples from sellers again.
5. Abnormal Cases
  1. Temporarily Unavailability
    1. If products become temporarily unavailable due to:
      1. Out of stock,
      2. Negative reviews (reversible GNE violation), or
      3. Expired open plan,

the Refund Criteria posting timeline will pause for 10 days.

If products become available again within 10 days, the Refund Criteria timeline resumes.
If products are still unavailable after 10 days, a refund will be automatically processed.

Permanent Unavailability
1. A refund will be automatically processed, if products become permanently unavailable due to:
  1. Permanent ban by GNE,
  2. Permanent shop ban by GNE,
  3. Seller closing shop, or
  4. Seller delisting a product from TikTok Shop, even if a new version is relisted later.

Termination or Modification:
1. TikTok reserves the right to terminate, modify, or suspend the Program at any time and for any reason, including but not limited to changes or modifications to TikTok Shop creator eligibility or Program Structure, with or without notice to you, even though the changes may impact your ability to participate.
2. The Program has no determinable termination or end date, and will continue until we make, in our sole discretion, the decision to terminate the Program.
Compliance with Program Terms and Conditions and Guidelines:
1. Participants are expected to adhere to the content creation guidelines and terms outlined in the Program Terms and Conditions.
2. Violation of guidelines may result in the forfeiture of refund and/or termination from the Program.

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