TikTok Shop Phases Out Seller Self-Fulfillment Model in the US, Mandates Switch to Official Logistics Solutions

Ebrun Exclusive: Recently, some TikTok Shop merchants reported receiving an official notice stating that from February 25, 2026, to March 31, 2026, the platform will phase in new logistics fulfillment rules: US-based sellers must switch to TikTok Shop Logistics Services for order fulfillment, as the Seller Shipping model will be discontinued simultaneously. This policy also applies to cross-border sellers. For new sellers who onboard on or after February 9, 2026, all orders must be fulfilled via TikTok Shop Logistics Services from the start.

TikTok Shop's official logistics services include three methods: FBT (Fulfilled by TikTok), the upgraded TikTok Shipping, and CBT (Collections by TikTok). FBT is the platform's integrated warehousing and fulfillment service, where merchants pre-stock products in official warehouses, and the platform handles subsequent sorting, packing, and shipping. TikTok Shipping is the platform's official delivery service, where merchants handle storage and packing themselves but use platform-provided shipping labels, with the platform managing the delivery. CBT is the official pickup and delivery service, where merchants pack goods at their own or third-party overseas warehouses, and TikTok arranges pickup and delivery.

It is reported that as early as October 2025, to crack down on postage fraud such as "water bills" and "tech bills," the platform adjusted the self-shipping rules for US merchants, stipulating that from October 27, 2025, cross-border self-operating merchants using USPS must ship with official labels provided by TikTok Shipping; if using other third-party logistics providers (non-USPS), only UPS/DHL/FedEx tracking numbers are supported.

By December 9, 2025, TikTok Shop US issued another notification titled "Upgrade of Merchant Logistics Service Policy," stating that from December 15 (PST), cross-border self-operating merchants in the US must use the platform's official logistics services (TikTok Shipping/FBT) for order fulfillment, and the seller self-shipping function would be removed.

This latest notice signifies a complete phase-out of the seller self-fulfillment model for TikTok Shop US, covering both cross-border and local merchants.

Why eliminate the self-fulfillment model entirely? It is understood that under the self-shipping model, sellers handle storage, packing, labeling, and shipping independently, which has led to high rates of violations, including "water bills," "tech bills," "delayed orders," and even a "race to the bottom" scenario. Thus, eliminating self-fulfillment is a comprehensive crackdown on these issues. By centralizing control through official services, the platform aims to make all logistics processes controllable, transparent, and accountable.

Meanwhile, TikTok Shop's continuous upgrades to its logistics system are also part of its efforts to enhance the user experience. Just recently, TikTok Shop also announced a newly upgraded logistics solution for the US market. On one hand, it reiterated a "zero-tolerance policy towards market-disrupting practices like water bills, tech bills, and fake warehouse/gun shipments, pledging to crack down firmly according to rules and laws to ensure transaction security and stability." On the other hand, starting January 26, the platform updated the fulfillment timeline requirements for cross-border self-operating merchants in the US, requiring them to update regular order status to "in transit" within two business days.

Additionally, TikTok Shop introduced new policies for merchants using FBT, including an exclusive "Free 3-Day Shipping" badge for FBT products within TikTok, extra exposure support for FBT items, an average delivery time of three business days, and exemption from certain shipping and logistics performance metrics.

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