How to Use USPS First-Class Mail Letter (FCML) with TikTok Shipping

• Which shipments qualify for FCML
• How to turn on FCML for your orders
• How to Buy FCML labels
• When FCML shipments are assigned
• Confirm drop-off for FCML shipments
• How FCML impacts your performance metrics
• FCML delivery time and tracking
• FAQs

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Introduction

USPS First-Class Mail Letter (FCML) is an optional shipping service available to eligible U.S. sellers using TikTok Shipping, including Standard Delivery or Collection by TikTok (CBT). FCML is best suited for lightweight, low-value items that can be shipped safely in a flexible paper envelope and do not require full USPS package tracking. Many sellers use FCML to help reduce shipping costs for shoppers and simplify fulfillment for inexpensive single-item shipments.
Note: This service is currently available by invitation only and subject to the eligibility requirements listed below.

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Which shipments qualify for FCML

Shipments qualify for FCML only if they meet all eligibility, shipment, and envelope requirements below.

Item and order eligibility

Your shipment must:

• Be for an eligible LIVE giveaway order
• FCML is only available for eligible items in supported categories, including sports trading cards, non-sports trading cards, photocards, photographic images, and stickers.

Shipment requirements

Because FCML uses USPS letter mail, the shipment must meet standard letter mail requirements. If a shipment doesn't meet all the requirements below (prior to label generation), TikTok Shop may automatically assign the shipment to another eligible shipping service.
The shipment must:

• Contain 5 or fewer items
• Weigh 3 oz or less total
• Have a product original price of $20 or less
• Contain items from the supported categories, including sports trading cards, non-sports trading cards, photocards, photographic images, and stickers.
• Ship to a shopper in the U.S. only

Envelope requirements

Your envelope must meet the following requirements:

• Weight: 3 oz or less
• Length: 5.00–11.50 inches
• Width: 3.50–6.12 inches
• Height / thickness: Less than 0.25 inches
• Have an even thickness, with no lumps or bulky areas
• Bend easily and remain flexible during USPS processing

Don’t use:

• Bubble mailers
• Rigid cardboard or stiff inserts that don't bend
• Plastic sleeves as outer packaging
• Clasps, strings, or buttons
• Uneven or bulky packaging

FCML shipments that don’t meet USPS letter requirements may be refused, returned, delayed, or charged additional postage.

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How to turn on FCML for your orders

FCML is only available to eligible sellers who use TikTok Shipping, including Standard Delivery or Collection by TikTok (CBT)
Sellers must manually enable FCML before using it for the first time. FCML is enabled at the warehouse level.
If you set up a new warehouse with TikTok Shipping, FCML will be turned off by default. You must manually enable FCML for the new warehouse before using it.
If you switch a warehouse from TikTok Shipping Standard Delivery to CBT, you will need to enable FCML again for that warehouse.
Note: For warehouses subscribed to TikTok Shipping Standard Delivery or Collection by TikTok (CBT), pickup service is not available for FCML orders. Sellers must drop off their FCML envelopes at a USPS mailbox or eligible USPS drop-off location.

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How to Buy FCML labels

Once FCML has been enabled for the warehouse, eligible LIVE giveaway orders can be filtered and will be marked with a LIVE Giveaway tag.
To buy an FCML label:
Note: FCML does not support signature confirmation or other signature services. If your shipment requires a signature, you must use another eligible shipping service.

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When FCML shipments are assigned

FCML works best for flat, lightweight, low-value shipments. However, not every shipment qualifies for FCML.
LIVE giveaway orders can be combined into a single shipment. If the combined shipment no longer meets FCML requirements, TikTok Shop may automatically reassign it to another eligible shipping service before the label is generated.
An FCML shipment may be reassigned if:

• An ineligible item is added to the shipment, such as:
  • An item from a non-eligible category
  • A non-live giveaway order
• The shipment includes eligible items, but no longer meets one or more FCML requirements, such as:
  • The total package weight exceeds 3 oz
  • Length is outside 5.00–11.50 inches
  • Width is outside 3.50–6.12 inches
  • Height / thickness is 0.25 inches or greater
  • The shipment contains more than 5 items
  • The live giveaway product’s original price is more than $20

If your shipment is reassigned, FCML will no longer be available for that shipment, and another eligible shipping service will be displayed instead.

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Confirm drop-off for FCML shipments

Because FCML tracking is limited, confirming drop-off is the most reliable way to keep shoppers informed and ensure your shipping activity is accurately reflected.
When you drop off an FCML shipment, we recommend keeping proof of drop-off, such as a USPS receipt or a photo of the envelope after drop-off.
This proof can help you:

• Reassure the shopper that the shipment has been dropped off
• Respond to shopper questions if tracking updates are delayed
• Provide evidence of fulfillment timing if needed later

Note: FCML shipments must be dropped off at a USPS mailbox or eligible USPS drop-off location. Pickup service is not available for USPS First-Class Mail Letter orders.
For CBT warehouses, do not hand over FCML envelopes together with CBT pickup shipments. FCML envelopes must be dropped off separately through USPS. Mixing FCML envelopes with CBT pickup shipments may prevent FCML orders from being transported properly.

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How FCML impacts your performance metrics

Eligible sellers can use FCML for eligible live giveaway orders. FCML orders have specific fulfillment requirements that may differ from regular orders.
To meet dispatch requirements, sellers must generate the FCML shipping label within 2 business days after the order enters Awaiting Shipment.

• If an FCML label is generated on Day 3 or later, it may negatively impact your Late Dispatch Rate (LDR).
• If an FCML shipping label is not generated within 5 business days after the order enters Awaiting Shipment, TikTok Shop will automatically cancel the order.

FCML orders are exempt from certain tracking and delivery performance metrics:

• Orders shipped with the approved FCML option are exempt from Valid Tracking Rate (VTR) requirements.
• Orders shipped with FCML are not included in the On-Time Delivery Rate (OTDR) calculation.
• After-sales rules based on in-transit events do not apply to eligible giveaway orders shipped with FCML.

Learn more in the Fulfillment Policy.

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FCML delivery time and tracking

FCML is a slower shipping option compared with package shipping services. And it may not provide full tracking updates. Tracking updates may also take 24 to 72 hours to first appear on TikTok Shop after the envelope is dropped off.
Because FCML uses USPS letter mail, delivery scans may be limited or unavailable. Some FCML shipments may be delivered even if the tracking status has not been fully updated. If a shipment has been in transit for a long time and the shopper does not see a delivery update, you can advise the shopper to check their mailbox or PO box for delivery.
Tracking visibility may vary by USPS processing and delivery scans. Shoppers may see tracking updates such as:

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FAQs

1. Can I switch from FCML to another shipping method when buying shipping labels?

Yes. You can switch from FCML to another eligible shipping service before the shipping label is generated.
FCML does not support signature confirmation or other signature services. If your shipment requires a signature, you must use another eligible shipping service.
To switch to another shipping service, you may adjust the shipment details, such as package weight or size, before buying the label. Once the shipment no longer meets FCML requirements, TikTok Shop may display or reassign the shipment to another eligible shipping service.
Note: You can only switch shipping services before the label is generated. Once an FCML label is generated, the shipping service cannot be changed. Please make sure your shipment meets all FCML requirements before using FCML, as you are responsible for any ineligible shipments shipped through FCML.

2. Can I use FCML for other categories?

Currently, FCML is only available for eligible items in supported categories, including sports trading cards, non-sports trading cards, photocards, photographic images, and stickers. We are exploring whether this shipping option can be expanded to additional categories in the future.

3. Can live giveaway orders be combined with non-giveaway orders?

Yes. Live giveaway orders can be combined with non-giveaway orders in one shipment.
However, FCML is only available for eligible live giveaway orders. If a live giveaway order is combined with a non-giveaway order, FCML will no longer be available, and the shipment may be reassigned to another eligible shipping service. Fulfillment performance will be measured based on the assigned shipping service.

4. When will FCML shipping fees be settled?

For FCML live giveaway orders, there is no product payout because the order value is $0 for shoppers. Only the shipping fee settlement applies.
FCML shipping fees will be reflected in your settlement statement after the shipping label is generated. In some cases, if an FCML label is generated but not used later, such as when a new label is created for reshipment, the original label fee may still be charged.