How Do I Get Approved for TikTok Shop?

Tips

Are you eager to start selling products to a new audience on the ever-popular entertainment and e-commerce platform, TikTok Shop? Before you dive into bulk-buying stock, it’s crucial to understand the detailed TikTok Shop seller requirements and what the application process involves.

The team at Trademark Eagle has extensive experience helping clients meet the necessary legal requirements to sell branded products across a wide range of online platforms. Continue reading to learn how to get approved for TikTok Shop from the intellectual property (IP) experts at Trademark Eagle.

The Approval Process for TikTok Shop

If you’re wondering how to get approved for TikTok Shop, you’re in the right place. By following TikTok Shop Seller Registration Guidelines, you can become an approved TikTok Shop seller and enjoy a smooth registration process.

Step 1: Sign Up for TikTok Shop

The first step to selling on TikTok is to sign up as either an individual seller (not a business entity) or a business seller (a legally authorised business). Visit TikTok Shop online to begin the seller registration process.

  • Account Creation: You can sign up using an email address or phone number and create a password to register your account. If you already have a TikTok account, select ‘Sign up with TikTok Account’ and log in to authorise TikTok Shop access.

Step 2: Provide Accurate Information

To verify you as a seller, TikTok Shop requires a substantial amount of information and documentation:

  • Individual Sellers:
    • Identification: Provide a UK passport or driver’s licence as proof of identity.
    • Address Verification: Submit proof of a UK address and a photo of yourself with your ID.
  • Business Sellers:
    • Company Details: Provide your UK-registered company number, date, and a UK-issued business licence, certificate of incorporation, or company registration.
    • Representative ID: Submit an acceptable form of ID belonging to the company’s legal representative, director, or person with significant control.

For UK business sellers, it’s also essential to provide proof of registration in the UK and operation from a UK-based warehouse. Additionally, a UK residential address and proof of address of a UK-based company representative are required.

Both businesses and individual sellers must provide accurate bank account information from a UK or EU institution:

  • Business Bank Account: The account name must be consistent with the business entity’s name on official documentation.
  • Individual Bank Account: The account name must match the name on the submitted ID.

TikTok Shop may also request additional information or documents to ensure compliance with TikTok Shop’s Intellectual Property Policy, particularly if you’re selling branded products.

Step 3: Create a TikTok Shop Name

Choosing a TikTok Shop name is crucial, and there are specific guidelines to follow:

  • Unique and Descriptive: Your shop name must be unique, no longer than 40 characters, and free from illegal, abusive, political, discriminatory, and sexually suggestive or explicit content.
  • Brand Representation: Ensure your name accurately represents your business and doesn’t include unauthorised use of brand names or exaggerated language.
  • Take steps to protect the name of your shop by registering it as a trademark, which means you have the rights in the name and tools to prevent unauthorised damaging use by third parties.
  • You equally need to ensure you are not infringing someone else’s trademark rights by using names that belong to someone else.

If you’re unsure whether your desired TikTok Shop name would be approved, consider contacting TikTok directly for clarification.

Step 4: Complete Your TikTok Seller Profile

The final step to becoming an approved TikTok Shop seller is to complete your seller profile:

  • Contact Information: Ensure all contact details are legal, valid, and accurate, and written in a language accepted by TikTok.
  • Profile Details: Include your country, state, district, address, postal code, and any other identifying documentation TikTok Shop might request.

Once your profile is complete, you can start selling, though you’ll be subject to function limitations during the Shop Probation Period.

Tips for TikTok Shop Sellers

What TikTok Sellers Should Do

TikTok provides extensive guidelines outlining the requirements sellers must meet to offer products for sale on TikTok Shop. Here are some general rules to ensure a successful application:

  1. Obtain Brand Owner Authorisation: Ensure you have permission to sell branded products before applying.
  2. Provide Accurate Information: Double-check that all business details are valid and accurate.
  3. High-Quality Documentation: Submit clear, high-quality images of any required documentation.

What TikTok Sellers Shouldn’t Do

Understanding how to get approved is essential, but it’s equally important to avoid behaviours that could lead to a denied application or suspension from TikTok Shop:

  1. Avoid Investigations: If you’re under investigation or have faced enforcement action by a competent authority, such as a trade or consumer protection authority, you cannot sell on TikTok Shop until the issue is resolved in your favour.
  2. Steer Clear of Gambling: TikTok prohibits gambling activities, including lucky draws and mystery boxes where customers purchase items without knowing the quality or type beforehand.
  3. Don’t Mislead Customers: Avoid exaggerated, unscientific, or inaccurate claims. Misleading TikTok Shop with false information can lead to application rejection or suspension.
  4. Refrain from Selling Counterfeit Products: Selling counterfeit products violates IP rights and is strictly prohibited on TikTok Shop. Ensure you have authorisation to sell branded items.

Contact Trademark Eagle for Expert Support

As we have said, protecting your name is important on a number of levels. You need to be sure you are not using someone else’s trademark – and also by registering your name as a trademark, you have the tools you need to prevent unauthorised and damaging use of your brand.

Trademark Eagle provides comprehensive trademark registration, renewal, and monitoring services for clients looking to protect and build their brand in the UK, EU, or internationally. With experience protecting over 5,500 trademarks worldwide, our in-house team has the knowledge and capability to ensure your brand is properly protected wherever you operate.

If you need professional support complying with TikTok Shop’s Intellectual Property Policy or need help registering your name, don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team today.

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