How to Ship TikTok Shop Orders

Congratulations, your TikTok Shop is getting sales! Now for the critical part: getting those products into your customers' hands. Nailing your shipping process is essential for positive reviews, repeat business, and keeping your shop in good standing with TikTok. This guide breaks down exactly how to ship your TikTok Shop orders, from choosing the right method to packing like a pro and avoiding common mistakes.

Understanding Your TikTok Shop Shipping Options

Before you ship a single package, you need to decide how you're going to handle fulfillment. TikTok Shop gives sellers two primary methods to choose from, each with its own set of benefits and responsibilities. Understanding these options is the first step to creating a smooth and efficient workflow for your business.

Option 1: Ship by TikTok (The Easy Way)

Ship by TikTok is the platform's integrated shipping solution, designed to make fulfillment as simple as possible, especially for new sellers. When you choose this method, TikTok essentially acts as your logistics partner.

How It Works:

When an order comes in, TikTok automatically generates a prepaid shipping label from one of its partnered carriers (like USPS or UPS). All you have to do is print the label, stick it on your packed order, and drop it off with the designated carrier. TikTok then handles tracking updates for both you and the customer directly within the app.

Pros of Ship by TikTok:

• Simplicity: This is the most straightforward method. There's no need to weigh packages precisely or calculate shipping rates on your own. Just print and ship.
• Discounted Rates: TikTok leverages its massive volume to negotiate better shipping rates than you could likely get on your own, saving you money on every order.
• Automatic Tracking: Tracking information is automatically updated in the Seller Center and for the customer, reducing manual data entry and potential errors.
• Platform Protection: If a package is lost or damaged by the carrier, it is often easier to resolve the issue through TikTok's established processes.

Cons of Ship by TikTok:

• Less Control: You don't get to choose the carrier or the specific shipping service (e.g., Ground vs. Priority). TikTok decides for you based on their own system.
• Strict Timelines: TikTok enforces strict RFS (Ready-to-Ship) timelines. You typically have just a couple of days to pack the order and have it scanned by the carrier, or you risk penalties.

Option 2: Shipped by Seller (The DIY Way)

Shipped by Seller gives you full control over the fulfillment process. As the name suggests, you are responsible for everything: purchasing postage, choosing the carrier, packing the order, and manually uploading the tracking information to the TikTok Seller Center.

How It Works:

When an order comes in, you pack it up, then use a third-party shipping service (like Pirate Ship, Shippo, or directly through USPS/UPS/FedEx websites) to purchase and print a shipping label. Once you've shipped the package, you must return to the Seller Center, mark the order as shipped, and enter the correct carrier and tracking number.

Pros of Shipped by Seller:

• Total Control: You can choose any carrier you want, which is perfect if you have a preferred provider or have negotiated your own commercial rates.
• Branding Opportunities: Managing your own shipping allows for more customized packaging and inserts, helping you create a memorable unboxing experience.
• Flexibility: This method is ideal for businesses using a third-party logistics (3PL) provider or those with an established shipping workflow.

Cons of Shipped by Seller:

• More Work: You are responsible for every step, including purchasing labels and manually entering tracking details. One typo in a tracking number can cause major headaches.
• Higher Potential Cost: Unless you ship in very high volumes and have negotiated your own carrier discounts, you may end up paying more for shipping than with the Ship by TikTok option.
• Strict Compliance: You are solely responsible for ensuring the tracking number is entered correctly and on time. Failure to do so can negatively impact your shop's performance metrics.

Which Method Is Right for You?

Making the right choice depends entirely on your business model:

• Choose Ship by TikTok if: You're a new seller, you want the simplest process possible, or you don't ship a high enough volume to have your own discounted rates. It’s the perfect “set it and forget it” option.
• Choose Shipped by Seller if: You are an established e-commerce brand, you use a 3PL for fulfillment, you require a specific carrier for your products, or you have your own discounted commercial shipping accounts.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Fulfilling Your Orders

Okay, you've made your decision. An order just came in, and that iconic "cha-ching" sound filled the room. What now? Here’s a detailed walkthrough of the fulfillment process from start to finish.

Step 1: Locate Your Orders in the Seller Center

All of your fulfillment tasks happen within the TikTok Shop Seller Center.

1. Log in to your Seller Center account.
2. Navigate to the Orders >, Manage Orders tab.
3. Here, you'll see several tabs. New orders will appear under the "To Ship" tab. This is your command center for fulfillment.

Step 2: Get Your Order Ready for Shipment

In the "To Ship" tab, you'll see a list of orders that need to be packed. For each one, you’ll see an option to "Arrange Shipment." Depending on your chosen method, the next steps vary slightly.

• For Ship by TikTok users: Select the orders you are ready to pack and click "Arrange Shipment." TikTok will then generate the shipping documents you need. BATCHING is your best friend here. If you have 10 orders, it’s far more efficient to select all 10 at once and print the labels together rather than one by one.
• For Shipped by Seller users: You will simply see an order that needs to be packed. Your fulfillment work happens outside of TikTok for now.

Step 3: Pack Your Products with Care

How you package your product is the first physical interaction a customer has with your brand. Don't waste it!

• Choose the Right Packaging: Use a mailer or box that is slightly larger than your product, leaving enough room for protective cushioning like bubble wrap or crinkle paper. You want the item to be snug, not rattling around inside.
• Protect the Goods: Never underestimate the journey a package goes on. If your item is fragile, wrap it well. If you sell apparel, consider using a clear poly bag to protect it from moisture before putting it in the mailer.
• Add a Personal Touch: A simple handwritten thank-you note, a business card, or even some branded tissue paper can elevate the unboxing experience and make customers feel appreciated. It's a small detail that encourages positive reviews and repeat sales. Strong brands are built on these small touches.

Step 4: Printing and Applying the Shipping Label

This is where your shipping method really matters.

If you use 'Ship by TikTok':

After you arrange shipment in the Seller Center, you'll be prompted to print your shipping documents. This download typically includes both the shipping label and a packing slip for each order.

• Make sure you print labels clearly. A smudged barcode can lead to scanning errors and delays.
• If you’re shipping more than one or two orders a day, a thermal label printer (like a Rollo or Zebra) is a truly game-changing investment. No ink, no tape, just peel and stick.
• Stick the label squarely on the largest flat surface of your package. Avoid putting it over seams or edges, as this can make it difficult for scanners to read.

If you use 'Shipped by Seller':

You’ll need to purchase postage from your provider of choice. This usually involves entering the customer's address, the package weight, and dimensions, and then choosing a shipping service. After you've paid for and printed the label, apply it securely to the package. Do not forget the next part.

Step 5: Mark as Shipped and Enter Tracking

This final step is how you "close the loop" and let both TikTok and your customer know the order is on its way.

• For Ship by TikTok users: This step is mostly done for you. Once the carrier scans your package's barcode for the first time - either at drop-off or pickup - the order status will automatically update to "Shipped." Your job is done!
• For Shipped by Seller users: This is a critical manual step. You must go back to the order in Seller Center, click "Mark as Shipped," select the correct carrier from the dropdown menu, and carefully type or paste in the tracking number. Double-check your entry! An incorrect tracking number is the same as no tracking number in TikTok's eyes and can result in penalties.

Common Shipping Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Shipping is more than just putting things in a box. Here are some common pitfalls that can hurt your shop's performance and reputation.

1. Missing Shipping Deadlines

TikTok is serious about speed. You have a very short window (usually 48-72 business hours) to get an order packed and scanned by the carrier. Failing to meet this "Ready-to-Ship" deadline will increase your Late Dispatch Rate (LDR). A high LDR can lead to order volume limits or even shop deactivation.
How to avoid it: Set a daily cutoff time for yourself. For example, all orders that come in before 2 PM are packed and shipped the same day. Have a system and stick to it.

2. Losing Money on Shipping

For Shipped by Seller users, it's easy to misjudge shipping costs. If you charge a flat shipping rate but an order is unexpectedly heavy or going to a distant location, you could easily lose your entire profit margin.
How to avoid it: Invest in a simple shipping scale. Weigh all of your products (including packaging) ahead of time so you can accurately estimate costs. Use carrier shipping calculators to understand your costs to different regions.

3. Bad Customer Experience from Poor Packaging

Nothing leads to a one-star review faster than a broken product arriving in a flimsy, crushed box. What you save on cheap mailers you'll quickly lose in returns and reputation damage.
How to avoid it: Don't skimp on a few cents for better packaging. See every package as a marketing opportunity. A secure, well-packed item shows customers you care about their order and your products.

Final Thoughts

Shipping TikTok Shop orders effectively boils down to two things: choosing the right fulfillment method for your business and creating a consistent, repeatable process. By understanding your options and following a clear process, you can ensure your products arrive safely, your customers are happy, and your shop continues to thrive on the platform.

Once you’ve dialed in your fulfillment workflow, you can focus on the fun part - creating content that drives sales. As your brand grows, scheduling posts and replying to comments across multiple platforms becomes as time-consuming as packing orders. We built Postbase to streamline all of that. Our visual calendar lets you plan content weeks ahead, our unified inbox brings all your DMs and comments into one place, and our scheduler reliably posts your content so you can stay consistent without the stress.