What are samples?

As a TikTok Shop creator, you can easily request and receive samples from certain sellers. You can also purchase samples and receive a refund once you've posted promotional content that generates sales.
Once you receive your sample, bring the product to life by demoing and showing off what you love, what you don't and more to your followers in a public short-form video or 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.

Free Sample Eligibility

How do I get samples?

Discover samples in the Product Marketplace or via Collab Invites

After finding a product you’d like to promote, either in the Product marketplace or in your Collab Invites, you can check to see if the product has samples available by checking the product details page. If it does, a Get Sample button will be shown. You can get samples from sellers or from TikTok Shop - for more information on TikTok Shop Sample Points, view this guide.
Note: Once you apply for or purchase a sample, the product will appear in your showcase. This will make it easy for you to promote the product once your sample request has been approved.

Discovering samples in Product Marketplace:

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

Discovering 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.
Number of Seller sample requests: The number of sample requests under review, waiting for shipment and with content pending cannot exceed five (5) at any given time if you have less than $5K in monthly GMV. If you generate between $5K-$150K in monthly GMV, you can request up to 20 samples at any given time. If you generate more than $150K in monthly GMV, you can request up to 50 samples at any given time.
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• Withdraw requests: After the sample request has been submitted, it can be canceled or withdrawn prior to the seller processing the sample for shipment.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 Reminders

If you've requested a sample from a seller, you are required to post promotional content within 14 days of receiving the product. It is important to do this in a timely manner, as samples are tied to seller inventory and seasonality. Repeatedly missing these required timelines could result in receiving fewer sample opportunities or being removed from the program.
We'll be sure to notify you 3 days and 1 day from when your 14 day posting window expires to remind you to post your content.

How do I re-apply for samples?

You can re-apply for samples immediately after withdrawing your sample request by visiting the Sample Order tab and clicking 'Get It Again'
You can re-apply samples 30 days after your sample request is disapproved, expired, or canceled by visiting the Sample Order tab and clicking 'Get It Again'

How do I get refundable samples?

Check out our Refundable Sample guide.

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!

FAQs

1. Who can receive samples?

Any creator in TikTok Shop (+5K followers) can apply for or purchase samples if the seller is offering them. Creators may also obtain samples with Sample Points offered by TikTok Shop.

2. How many free samples can I request?

The number of free sample requests you can make depends on a variety of factors, including your creator badge level. The higher your badge, the more you get. Most creators will have access to:
This number includes any sample requests that are currently in review with a seller, waiting for shipment, or pending content creation. Once a request is completed, you'll be able to request another sample.
Please be aware that free sample eligibility is limited to creators who have generated sales within the last 120 days.

3. I know that a Seller is offering samples for a product, but when I search for the product in Product marketplace, I'm unable to request a sample from the seller. Why can't I request a sample?
   1. While you may meet the eligibility requirements to request samples, keep in mind that Sellers can set their own thresholds for sample requests.
   2. If you don't meet a Seller's individual sample request thresholds, the option to request a sample won't appear. You may still be able to purchase a Refundable Sample if the seller offers this option, in which case you purchase the sample, post content that generates sales, and receive a refund for the purchase cost. Read more about Refundable samples here.
4. How can I fulfill my sample posting obligation？
   1. Try out the sample you receive from the seller and share your thoughts! Post a short-form video for at least three (3) days or a LIVE that's approximately 10 minutes long.
   2. If your sample is a Refundable Sample, make sure you check out the sellers' criteria that you need to meet in order to receive a refund. Read more about Refundable samples here.
5. Can I request more than one sample from a seller?
   1. You can request up to one (1) of a particular item from any seller only once. You can request different kinds of samples from the same seller if available or similar items from different sellers. It's best to only order a single type of item from a single seller since the intention is to promote the product for that seller.
      • Examples:
        • You can request one red heart T-shirt from seller ABC, but not two red heart T-shirts from seller ABC.
        • You can request one red heart T-shirt from seller ABC, and if offered, you can also request one blue miniskirt from seller ABC.
        • You can request one red heart T-shirt from seller ABC and one red-and-white tree T-shirt from seller XYZ.
6. When do I have to post my promotional content by?
   1. For samples requested from sellers, content must be posted within 14 days of receiving the sample.
7. Where can I learn more about how sellers set up and manage samples on their end?
   1. You can reference this TikTok Shop Academy article to learn more about sellers' sample set up.