How to Use Pre-Order (PO) Feature

Introduction: What is Pre-Order ?

Pre-Order is a new listing option available for all products that are exclusive or limited edition, not released on the market yet, and shipped at a later time.
Sellers can use the 'Pre-Order' checkbox and set a 'Product release date' - 3 to 60 calendar days from current day to activate the listing as a pre-order. The checkbox is only available for new product listings, existing listings cannot be edited and made pre-order listings.

What are the benefits？

1. Generate more sales: Grow excitement and sales by offering pre-order opportunities on exclusive or limited-edition items, while gaining valuable shopper insights for future sales opportunities
2. Build shopper relationships: By offering pre-orders, you can engage with shoppers early, build anticipation for the product, and foster loyalty that encourages repeat business
3. Grow your brand: Pre-orders can be used as a marketing tool to create buzz, generate media coverage, and amplify your brand to your community

Who is eligible？

TikTok Shop's Pre-Order feature is only available to select qualified sellers. See the Custom Orders Policy for more details.

Steps: How to access pre-order

Confirm your time zone is accurate.

In your profile settings, confirm if the 'Time zone' is accurate. The '3 to 60 days' handling time available for pre-order listings is calculated based on your local time zone.

Add new products as pre-order.

To start using the pre-order feature, log into Seller Center, and click Products on the left-hand navigation bar. Select Manage Products, and click on Add new product. While the pre-order feature checkbox is available for all products, only new product listings can be listed as pre-order.

Fill in Basic Information and Product Details. Then, under Sales Information, check the 'Pre-order' checkbox

Set the Product release date accurately. This date cannot be modified once the listing is published.

The Product release date marks the day the product becomes available for purchase, starting at 12:00 AM based on the time zone specified in your profile settings (as mentioned in Step #1). Sellers can set the Product release date as one of the 3 to 60 calendar days available from today.
Important:

• Once the product listing is published, the product release date cannot be modified for this listing. We highly recommend you enter this date carefully to avoid issues in the future.
• Pre-order products must be updated to the "In Transit" status by 2 business days after the pre-order release date to meet our dispatch SLA. Refer to our Fulfillment Policy for more information.
  

Set a Product release date for specific SKUs

• Turn on the Enable Variations toggle and add relevant SKUs to the listing.
• Set a Product release date for each SKU added by clicking the Pre-Order edit link under the Selling column.
• Sellers can also disable the Pre-Order option by clicking Pre-Order under the Selling column for that SKU, and selecting Regular as the selling option.

Important: Once the product listing is published, SKUs set as pre-order cannot be changed to regular and vice-versa.

Pre-order products' orders will maintain 'Awaiting release' status until their release date

Click Orders on the left navigation bar. Select Manage Orders to check the status of all your orders. Pre-order product orders can be seen under the Pending tab with Order status as Awaiting release until the product release date set for that product SKU. Once the release date has passed, this status will change to 'Awaiting shipment' as per regular orders and move to To ship tab.

Once the 'Product release date' has passed, the listing will automatically change to normal sales mode and will follow the standard 2-day dispatch SLA

.
The product and corresponding SKUs will no longer be eligible for pre-order in the future as it has officially released on the market on its release date.

Fill out the remaining product information fields and list your pre-order product(s).

Users will be notified that products are on pre-order, and will know the release date and estimated delivery date of their products.

• In the Shipping & returns section of the product detail page (PDP), users will see a new callout stating "Pre-order product, ships after: release date". The estimated delivery time will also automatically reflect the product's specific handling time.
• During checkout, users will see an additional callout in the Shipping method section that states the order is 'Pre-order' along with the estimated delivery date.
• On the Order details page, users will be able to see their pre-order product's order status as 'Pending release date' until the product's specific release date mentioned in the listing.

Payment for pre-order products is authorized during order placement and captured when order is shipped.

• Payments for pre-order products are pre-authorized during order placement. When the product is ready to ship, the payment is re-authorized and captured. If for any reason, the user's payment fails during re-authorization, the order is canceled by TikTok Shop.
• Please ensure pre-orders are shipped within 1 business day of the pre-order release date.