Non-Buyer Fault Return & Refund Rate (NBFR) Requirements

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Key Points:
  • Non-Buyer Fault Return and Refund Rate (NBFR) is the % of delivered orders that had return or refund requests due to seller- or logistics carrier-fault.
  • NBFR evaluates the past 60 days of orders.
  • Non-Buyer Fault Return and Refund Rate will be included in your overall Shop Performance Score (SPS)—alongside other measures of product satisfaction, logistics and fulfillment, and customer service.
  • You can check NBFR performance on your Shop Performance Score (SPS) page in Seller Center.
The purpose of the Non-Buyer Fault Return and Refund Rate (NBFR) is to provide sellers with insight on how often after-sales issues (returns and refunds) arise due to seller-fault or logistics carrier-fault reasons. This policy applies to all sellers and evaluates delivered orders.

Non-Buyer Fault Return and Refund Rate (NBFR)

By regularly checking the NBFR, a seller can:
  • Understand how satisfied buyers are with their orders, even without written reviews or chat feedback.
  • Identify operational gaps in your shop or with your logistics partners.
The NBFR metric only evaluates delivered orders. It does not include orders that were cancelled before delivery. To learn more about seller-fault cancellations and the Seller Fault Cancellation Rate, please refer to the Fulfillment Policy.

NBFR Return and Refund Reasons

When customers request a return and/or refund, it means that they are unsatisfied with the product or condition that the product was delivered in.
Returns and refund reasons that count towards your NBFR can be broken up into 2 categories.
Product Issues: The below issues are the most common NBFR return and refund reasons due to the product.
  • Product functionality (not working, missing parts): Ensure all products are fully functional and include all parts as described.
  • Product condition (damaged): Use protective packaging to prevent damage during shipping.
  • Product expectations (not as described): Write accurate product descriptions and use clear, honest images.
Logistics Issues: The below issues are the most common NBFR return and refund reasons due to logistics.
  • Order delivered but not received
  • Delayed delivery
For more information, refer to our Guide to Managing Returns, Refunds, and Replacements.

Exceptions for Non-Buyer Fault Return and Refund Rate

There are a few scenarios that are excluded from NBFR calculations.
  1. Logistics issues for orders through the Fulfilled by TikTok (FBT) program
  2. Orders using TikTok Shipping providers are excluded only when the logistics issue is 'package not received'
  3. Canceled orders (before delivery) by either seller or customer
The table below explains who is responsible for the following return reasons depending on their shipping type:
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Please note: TikTok Shop reserves the right to update this responsibility assignment at any time to reflect changes in our services or operational processes.

How Non-Buyer Fault Return and Refund Rate is Calculated

The Non-Buyer Return and Refund Rate is the % of delivered orders from the last 60 days that were returned or refunded for seller- or logistics-related reasons.
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Caption: Number of delivered orders returned or refunded due to a seller or logistics partner fault ÷ Total number of delivered orders without cancellations. Multiply that number by 100.
Example ScenarioShop ABC received 3 return requests—due to non-buyer fault issues—out of 10 delivered orders in the past 60 days. To calculate the NBFR, the following steps can be followed:
  1. (3 ÷ 10) = .3
  2. .3 x 10 = 30
  3. NBFR = 30%
(If necessary, round up to the nearest 1 decimal place.)
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Want to see your shop's NBFR? Click here to go straight to your Shop Performance Score page in Seller Center.

How Non-Buyer Fault Return and Refund Rate Impacts Your Shop

Your Non-Buyer Fault Return and Refund (NBFR) rate directly affects your shop’s performance. NBFR is a key factor in calculating your Shop Performance Score (SPS).
  • A high NBFR can negatively affect your SPS, which may reduce product visibility and affect your eligibility for SPS benefits. Please refer to the Shop Performance Score policy for more information on specific thresholds.
  • A low NBFR can improve your SPS and positively impact your eligibility for SPS benefits.
To learn more about managing your return and refund requests, refer to our Guide to Managing Returns, Refunds, and Replacements.
If you have concerns about your NBFR, you can reach out to your Account Manager or request support through Seller Center.
Non-Buyer Return and Refund Rate is 1 of six metrics contributing to your Shop Performance Score. Learn more about the other metrics in our 2025 Guide to Shop Performance Score.