Custom Handling Time

07/03/2025

Manage Product

Summary

What is the Custom Handling Time feature on TikTok Shop, and how does it benefit sellers?

  • It allows select sellers to extend handling time from the default 3 business days up to 7 days, aligning shipping timelines with internal operations and improving customer experience to encourage repeat purchases.

Who is eligible to use the Custom Handling Time feature, and what are the key eligibility criteria?

  • Available only to pre-selected sellers with an active Account Manager, no probation status, an "Active" shop status, and a Shop Performance Score of at least 3.5.

How can sellers enable or edit Custom Handling Time for their products on TikTok Shop?

  • For new SKUs: Log into Seller Center > Product > Add new product > View all fields > Sales information > Check 'Set SKU handling time' > Select custom time (up to 7 days) > Submit for review.
  • For existing products: Log into Seller Center > Product > Manage Products > Edit product > Sales information > Select custom handling time > Update listing.

What are the limitations and appropriate use cases for Custom Handling Time compared to other order types like made-to-order or pre-order?

  • Only for seller-fulfilled orders, not FBT. Best for in-stock products needing longer handling than 3 days. Made-to-order, pre-order, and back-order are for products not immediately available or produced post-order.

Can sellers assign different handling times to multiple SKUs or update handling times in bulk?

  • Each SKU can have a different handling time, but updates must be done individually; bulk updates are not supported currently.
**Note: This feature is currently in beta and limited to a number of pre-selected sellers.

Introduction: What is Custom Handling Time? Sellers can now extend the handling time from 3 business days to up to 7 business days. With this improved flexibility, sellers can align TikTok Shop's shipping service-level agreement to better match their internal operations while also communicating shipping timelines to customers. This enhancement will foster an improved customer experience for your shop that can lead to repeat purchases. *Read our Custom Orders Policy to find out what requirements you need to meet to access this feature! *

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How to enable Custom Handling Time for a new SKU

  1. Log in to Seller Center on your desktop, then click Product, and then click 'Add new product'.
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Note: In the manage listing fields section (left menu), click 'View all fields'.
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  1. In the Sales information sub-section, check the box 'Set SKU handling time.'
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  1. Once checked, in the Setting column, click the pen and paper icon.
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  1. Select Custom handling time, then select your preferred handling time from the drop-down menu and click 'Done'. (Note: Regular is 3 business days).
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  1. View the new handling time in the Selling column
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  1. Complete your listing and click 'Submit for review'
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How to edit the handling time for an existing product

  1. Log in to Seller Center on your desktop and click 'Product' to get to the Manage Products page.
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  1. In the Manage Products section, find the product whose shipping window you would like to change and click 'Edit'.
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  1. In the Sales information sub-section, click the pen and paper icon in the Selling column.
Note: If you are setting up custom SKU handling for the first time for this product, refer to steps 2-4 in How to enable Custom Handling time for a new SKU.image
  1. Select Custom handling time and select your preferred handling time from the drop-down menu and click 'Done'. (Note: Regular is 3 business days).
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  1. Click 'Update' to resubmit your product listing
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FAQs

Questions
Answers
  1. Can I use this feature if I use FBT as my shipping option?
No. This feature can only be used for seller-fulfilled orders.
  1. Why should I use this feature vs. using made-to-order, pre-order, and back order?
This feature is for products that are in-stock at your warehouse but need a longer time to ship than the standard 3 business days. Back-order, made-to-order, and pre-order are best used under the following scenarios:
  • Back-order: Use for products that can run out of stock, but the inventory can be replenished quickly.
  • Made-to-order: Use for products that are produced after the order is placed, such as print-on-demand
  • Pre-order: Use for products that are not available yet
  1. Can I update the handling time for all of my products at one time?
At this time, the handling time for your products can be updated one at a time using the editing instructions listed in this article.
  1. Can I assign a different handling time for each SKU?
 Yes, each SKU can be assigned a different handling time.
  1. Who is eligible to have this feature?
TikTok Shop's custom handling time feature is only available to select qualified sellers that meet the following:
  • Have an active Account Manager.
  • No longer be in the shop probation period.
  • Maintain an "Active" shop status.
  • Have a Shop Performance Score of at least 3.5.
You can learn more about the Custom Handling time policy by visiting our seller academy article, Custom Orders policy
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