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TikTok Shop Eligibility: What You Need to Get Started

Learn the steps, meet the requirements, and tap into one of the fastest-growing ecommerce platforms with Canopy’s expert help

  • January 22, 2025
  • /
  • Patrick Donelan
An illustration of an ecommerce seller sitting at a desk getting started with applying to sell on TikTok

Now that TikTok has dodged a US Supreme Court bullet, it’s time to take a closer look at what it takes to sell on one of the fastest growing ecommerce platforms in the world. 

You might know TikTok as a platform that young people use to share viral videos. Yes, it still functions that way. But to exclusively view TikTok as the home for short clips of new dance moves overlooks the way that social commerce has changed online selling. 

TikTok has evolved beyond its social media roots to become a powerful ecommerce platform through TikTok Shop. This innovative feature enables sellers to reach millions of users through engaging content like shoppable videos and live streams. 

The platform’s unique algorithm and user engagement patterns create unprecedented opportunities for sellers to connect with potential customers.

Before beginning your TikTok Shop journey, this post is designed to help you to understand how to qualify and get started in this dynamic marketplace.

Basic US Eligibility Requirements

Age and Residency

To sell on TikTok Shop, you must meet several fundamental criteria:

A flat aspect global map of all the countries with a TikTok Shop marketplace

TikTok Shop Global Availability (January 2025)

TikTok Shop currently operates in ten countries across three major regions. The platform maintains a strong presence in Southeast Asia with six participating countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam), while also serving North America through the United States market and Europe through the United Kingdom. China operates a separate version of the platform.

Sellers from eligible countries can engage in cross-border commerce, reaching customers across all markets where TikTok Shop operates. To begin selling, merchants need only register using a TikTok account associated with any of the participating countries.

Types of Seller Accounts

TikTok Shop offers two distinct account types to accommodate different seller needs:

Individual Seller Accounts

Designed for personal sellers who haven’t registered as a business entity. Required documentation includes:

Business Seller Accounts

Tailored for registered businesses with more powerful features and requirements. The required documentation includes:

Business Information:

Business Representative’s Information:

Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) Information (if applicable):

Application Timeline

An illustration with on one side a white aspect business TikTok shop and on the other side, a black aspect individual sellers account

What is the Difference Between a Personal and Business TikTok Shop Account? 

Personal (Individual) Seller Accounts are best suited for:

Business Seller Accounts offer additional features for:

The main differences are:

  1. Management Features: Business accounts can have multiple users with different permission levels, while personal accounts are limited to single-user access.
  2. Documentation: Business accounts require more extensive verification including EIN and business registration, while personal accounts only need individual identification.
  3. Scalability: Business accounts include tools designed for handling larger inventories and order volumes, whereas personal accounts have simpler management tools.
  4. Analytics: Business accounts provide more detailed sales and performance metrics compared to the basic analytics in personal accounts.

TikTok Application Checklist 

  1. Visit the TikTok Shop Seller Center
  2. Complete the eligibility check
  3. Submit required documentation
  4. Create your TikTok Seller account
  5. Provide business information
  6. Complete payment and tax setup
  7. Set up shipping preferences
  8. Configure return policies

Product Guidelines

Permitted Categories

Just like selling on Amazon or on Walmart, it’s important to make sure that you don’t run afoul of marketplace regulations. TikTok Shop welcomes sellers offering various products, including:

Prohibited Items

The following items are strictly forbidden:

Some categories may require additional certification, particularly for items like cosmetics or food products that must meet health and safety standards. Sellers should verify specific category requirements before listing products.

An illustration of two ecommerce professionals sitting at matching desks working on their laptops

TikTok Fee Structure

TikTok Shop applies a straightforward referral fee to all qualified transactions on the platform. This referral fee is comprehensive, covering all TikTok Shop service charges except for shipping and taxes. 

Beginning April 1, 2024, the TikTok platform implemented a 6% referral fee on all qualified orders. 

(Sellers who are currently enrolled in promotional pricing plans will continue to enjoy their special rates until their promotional period ends)

How Does TikTok Compute the Referral Fee? 

Referral Fee = Referral Fee Rate % *(Customer Payment + Platform Discount – Tax)

Tax Requirements

Understanding the tax obligations for your TikTok Shop is essential for maintaining compliance and avoiding potential issues with tax authorities. TikTok Shop has specific tax reporting requirements that all sellers must follow, regardless of their account type or sales volume. 

These requirements ensure proper reporting of income and help sellers maintain accurate financial records throughout the year.

How Canopy Can Help

If you meet all eligibility requirements, you can begin your application through the TikTok Shop Seller Center. Make sure to have all required documentation ready before starting the process to ensure a smooth onboarding experience. 

Then, it’s time to start creating engaging content, setting up your product catalog, and configuring your shop’s appearance. You’ll be able to reach millions of potential customers through various features like shoppable videos, live streams, and product showcases.

If you’d like to use the same shortcut that many of the top Amazon, Walmart, and TikTok Shop top sellers have used to differentiate themselves from the competition, reach out to the omni-channel experts at Canopy Management. 

Canopy Management is a full-service marketing agency for Amazon, Walmart, and TikTok sellers. Our team consists of multi-million dollar, omni-channel entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and award-winning experts.

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