Key Points:

• Certain categories must comply with specific expiration date labeling requirements.
• Products shipped to customers must have enough remaining shelf life before expiration.

This policy outlines the requirements you must meet for expiration date labeling and shelf life management on TikTok Shop.

Products that Require Expiration Date Labeling

TikTok Shop considers any product with a shelf life, or that loses effectiveness over time, to be subject to expiration. This applies even if the expiration date isn’t on the product packaging. Lot numbers cannot be used instead of expiration dates.
The following products must have an expiration date on the label:

• Shelf-Stable Food and Beverages: Refer to the Shelf-Stable Food and Beverage Policy.
• Fresh and Frozen Food Products: Refer to the Fresh and Frozen Packaged Food Products Policy.
• Dietary Supplements: Refer to the Dietary Supplements Policy.
• Pet Supplies: Refer to the Pet Supplies Policy.

• All Food, Beverage, and Dietary Supplement Products for Human or Animal Consumption
• All Personal Care Products with Drug Labeling
  • Includes products such as sunscreen, deodorants, antiperspirants, hair loss treatments, acne products, nasal cleaning/treatment solutions, and teeth whitening products.
  • Refer to the Beauty and Personal Care Products Policy and Guidelines For Listing Beauty And Personal Care Products.
• Medical Devices
  • Includes medical masks, personal protective equipment (PPE) masks, blood glucose monitors, and glucose control solutions.
  • Sellers must submit an image of the product label that clearly shows the expiration date.
  • Refer to the Medical Devices and Medical Supplies Policy.

Remaining Shelf Life Requirements for Expiration-Dated Products

Sellers must ensure that products shipped to customers have a sufficient and reasonable remaining shelf life for use or consumption. This applies to individual products, bulk items, or bundles. Food and beverage products, or any items shipped with them, must be lot-controlled and have enough time for use when received by the customer.
For Fulfilled by TikTok (FBT), please refer to the FBT Product Packaging Policy remaining shelf life requirements.

Expiration Date Formatting

Expiration dates must be clearly visible and legible, using either:

• Month, date, and year or month and year (month can be written as numbers, full word, or abbreviation).
• Medical devices must use the YYYY-MM-DD format.

Additional requirements:

• The date must not cover or overlap other label information (e.g., ingredients, drug facts, or manufacturer details).
• For case packs, multi-packs, and display boxes, expiration dates must appear on both the outer packaging and each individual item inside.

Misleading Product Dates

Sellers are prohibited from misrepresenting or manipulating the production, manufacturing, or expiration dates of their products in any form. The following actions are strictly prohibited:

• Product Dating Fraud: Intentionally selling old stock with outdated production/manufacturing dates.
• Mislabeling: Altering or falsifying dates on product packaging, including applying stickers over the manufacturer's original printed date.
• Deceptive Marketing: Advertising products in a manner that misleads customers about their freshness or shelf life.
• Using lot numbers as substitutes for expiration dates.

Enforcement Actions and Appeals

We regularly review shops for compliance with our policies. If violations are identified, we will take enforcement actions on your shop. This may include, but is not limited to:

• Assigning violation points
• Removing product listings
• Revoking your access to offer products for sale
• Issuing refunds to customers

For more information on enforcement actions, refer to our Seller Enforcement Policy. If you'd like to appeal an enforcement action, visit the Appeals section for guidance.

Best Practices for Expiration Date Labeling and Shelf Life

• Ship products with enough shelf life left so customers can use them. For example, a supplement with 240 daily servings should arrive with more than 240 days before it expires.
• Food, drinks, and similar items must be lot-controlled. They should have enough time for customers to use them after delivery.

Example of a lot code and expiration date:
Recommended Remaining Shelf Life Before Shipment

• Snacks: 90 days
• Instant Food: 180 days
• Dry or Canned Pet Food and Treats: 180 days
• Shelf-Stable Milk & Dairy: 270 days
• Pantry Essentials: 270 days
• Beverages, Tea, and Beverage Powders: 270 days
• Dietary Supplements (Human/Animal): 365 days
• Personal Care Products with Drug Labeling: 365 days
• Beauty & Personal Care Topicals: 365 days
• Medical Devices: 730 days