Applying for Category Permission

01/31/2025

Manage Product

Summary

What are the steps to apply for category level qualification while listing products on TikTok Shop via desktop?

Log in to Seller Center, click Products, then Manage Products, and select 'Add Product'.
Upload product images, add product name, and navigate to category.
Click 'Apply now' if category is restricted, complete Add Category Authorization steps, and submit.

How can sellers apply for category level qualification using the TikTok Shop app?

Select 'Add Product', upload images, add product name, and choose category.
Complete listing, click 'Submit for Review', and navigate to Manage Products in Seller Center.
Click 'Apply now' for restricted categories, complete authorization steps, and submit.

Do sellers need to reapply for category permission for each product listing?

No, sellers do not need to reapply for the same category for different products once approved.

What should sellers do if their category application is rejected?

Check the Message Center for rejection reasons and ensure documentation meets requirements before resubmitting.

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Introduction

Some product categories on TikTok Shop are restricted and require sellers to apply for category level qualification (e.g. restricted, 'invite-only', etc.) in order to list. Sellers can now apply for category permission while listing their products. In this article, we will provide step-by-step instructions on how to apply to a restricted product category while completing the listings process.

For more information regarding restricted products, please see our academy article

Steps

How to apply for Category Level Qualification while listing via Desktop

Log in to Seller Center, click Products on the left-hand navigation bar, then click Manage Products
Select 'Add Product'
Upload product images and add product name
Navigate to category. Sellers can choose their category or accept the auto-recommended category. If the category is restricted, sellers will need to apply for additional permission either before or after submitting the listing.

For sellers choosing to apply for category permission before submitting the listing, please complete the following steps:

Below the category field, click 'Apply now'

A new window will appear. Complete the steps listed within the Add Category Authorization page.

Once completed, click ' Submit'. Return to the listings page, complete the remaining fields of your listing and click 'Submit for review'.

Note: Sellers can also choose to apply for category permission after listing the product. After completing your listing (ie click 'Submit for review'), sellers will be redirected to Step 5 to apply and submit the form for category qualification.

How to apply for Category Level Qualification while listing via App

Select 'Add Product'
Upload product images and add product name
Sellers can choose their category or accept the auto-recommended category. If the category is restricted, sellers will need to apply for additional permission either before or after submitting the listing

Complete listing and click 'Submit for Review' Receive confirmation that the product is under review

In Seller Center on Desktop , navigate to Products and then Manage Products.
Find your product and click the question mark tool tip by 'Restricted'

Click 'Apply now'. A new window will appear. Complete the steps listed within the Add Category Authorization page and click 'Submit' to submit the application.

FAQs

Questions	Answers
Do I need to apply to the same category every time I list different products?	No, you do not need to apply to the same product category every time you list different products within that categorization. TikTok has received your category application and will either approve or deny this request.
If I already received category approval prior to this change, do I need to re-apply under this new process?	No, if you have received category approval previously, you will not need to re-apply.
How do I know if I was approved to use this category?	If you navigate to your Account Settings, click Qualification Center and then click Category qualification, you can check the status of your application.
What can I do if my application is rejected?	Applications may be rejected for a variety of reasons depending on the documentation required. If your application is rejected, a notification will be present in the Message Center with more information regarding the reason for rejection. Ensure that your documentation meets all of the requirements before resubmitting your application. For more information, please read the Academy article: How to Address Category Rejections.