TikTok, with more than 1.7 billion monthly active users, is undeniably one of the most popular and fastest-growing applications in the last few years. The service grew its roots from being a short-video-creating application to providing its users with a platform for digital shopping. However, while its digital shopping realm is already top-notch, the service understands the growing needs of users to receive their packages blazing fast.
Hence, TikTok did not stop here and introduced TikTok shipping – its very own shipping solution! Through TikTok shipping, the gap between the sellers and consumers is bridged, giving both parties access to a much more accessible, user-friendly, and high-quality experience. Want to gain more insight into the world of TikTok Shipping? This article has you covered.
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Part 1. What is TikTok Shipping?
Those who hear the term ‘TikTok Shipping’ for the first time probably wouldn’t understand what it refers to. Well, if you are in the same boat and want to gain insight into it, then let us give you a breakdown.
TikTok Shipping is a platform that provides users with a seamless platform to purchase products directly from multiple sellers across the globe through the application. The best part? The service also provides a secure international transaction, and hence, you will not have to worry about falling into a pit of fraud.
The most significant benefit users can avail of through TikTok Global Shipping is the ability to purchase unique items from various countries that are not readily available in their local market. Hence, making purchases and getting items that you like on the app from anywhere in the world and receiving them at your doorstep has become so much easier.
Apart from its exceptional ability to provide a wide variety of products, TikTok provides both its sellers ease in selling through the different types of TikTok shipping it offers as well. Want to know more about these types of TikTok Shipping? We have you covered on this below.
Part 2. Types of TikTok Shipping
There are three different types of TikTok Shipping. A brief description of each type is given below:
1. TikTok Shipping
TikTok Shipping is a relatively great and convenient option for the sellers on the application. Here is everything that this particular type of TikTok Shop Shipping service provides:
- Through this method, the sellers do not have to worry about much. All they have to do is ship their orders, and TikTok will take care of the rest.
- This form of TikTok Shippinglets you purchase TikTok shipping labels from the TikTok Seller Center directly by using the TikTok recommended carriers and service providers.
- It is generally easy to set up and works in full integration with your TikTok shop.
- Some other exceptional services that sellers and consumers can benefit from this type are faster tracking updates, built-in shipping label creation, and all under one statement.
2. Ship by Seller
Through the seller shipment, the seller would be fully responsible for maintaining and carrying out all aspects of their TikTok shop. Here is everything that this particular type of TikTok Shop Shipping would provide you:
- This type of TikTok shipping lets the seller set their rates, carriers, and additional services.
- The sellers themselves set the shipping fees for their customers, and TikTok has no affiliation to it.
- Sellers can upload tracking numbers for their shipments manually or through third-party services as well.
3. FBT- Fulfillment by TikTok
The FBT is a process that helps sellers on TikTok ship their products simply and quickly to their customers’ doorsteps. The service is basically fulfillment support from the inbound shipment, which makes the overall delivery process more straightforward, quicker, and much more convenient.
Tip: If you are looking for your TikTok Shop, you can rely on 3PL services like NextSmartShip.
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Part 3. How Does TikTok Shipping Work?
While all the types of TikTok Shipping are undeniably significant in all aspects, the real deal comes down to the company’s working or shipping processes. If you are someone who wants to gain insight into the TikTok Shipping processes, then we have concluded a step-by-step guide on it for you below:
1. Order Confirming
The initial step of the TikTok Shipping process would be the confirmation of an order. Whenever a consumer places an order to purchase a product from the seller’s TikTok shop, the seller will receive a purchase notification.
Upon receiving a notification, the seller will then have to confirm the notification within a specific time frame – which is usually within 24 hours. This step is crucial as it will determine to the consumer that the seller will be able to fulfill their order, and they will be kept updated about their order status.
2. Kitting and Packing
When the order has been confirmed, the seller then proceeds to kit and pack the items required for the shipment. In this process, they properly pack and secure the item with appropriate packaging according to requirements in order to ensure that it remains intact during the transit.
Each packaging depends on the type of product, and hence, the packaging is selected based on the level of security or firmness with which the product has to be held.
3. Labeling
Once packing is done, the labeling aspect follows. Proper labeling is crucial to ensure that the shipments are delivered to the right destinations and doorsteps. An information label is taped on the package, which allows the carrier to understand where the package needs to be delivered. Some of the essential information which goes on the label are:
- The sender’s name and address
- Recipient name and address
- Tracking numbers
- Shipping service
- Handling requirements
All this information would help the shipping services to ensure that they deliver your product to the right doorstep and the right person. TikTok understands that, at times, there can be a lot of mishaps when delivering products from one side of the globe to the other. Hence, through proper information labeling, all this can be prevented.
4. Shipping
With the purchase packed and labeled, it is then sent to the designated or affiliated service provider, which then delivers it to the customer’s doorstep safely and within the expected timeframe.
The type of shipment or the provider through which it will be delivered depends on the type of TikTok shipping. If the TikTok shop operated on the type of TikTok selling, then TikTok itself would be in charge of the sale.
In case the products are sold directly through the sellers and not TikTok, the sellers can pick the courier or delivery service based on their personal preference and can also set the delivery fee for their consumers on their own as well.
5. After-Sales
Once sales are shipped off and received, the seller needs to take general feedback from the customer. At times, the package can arrive damaged, given that it has transited from one corner of the world to the other. Hence, potential refunds or replacements should be made, or alternative criteria should be taken.
Part 4. How Long Does TikTok Shipping Take?
The shipment of your order depends on the distance between the consumer and the seller. However, for an estimated time frame, the shipment usually takes between three to five working days.
This means that any customer who places an order through the TikTok Shops will receive their orders from three to five working days after the day from when the order has been placed. However, at times, it can also be a little later than this, depending on various factors like distance, your order type, etc.
Users, however, would receive a tracking ID through which they can look up the current position of their order and how soon they will receive it.
Wrapping Up!
TikTok, over the years, has expanded its services exceptionally well, and its TikTok shipping services are one aspect that has flourished significantly. If you are a seller who plans on expanding their services to TikTok and want to know more about the TikTok Shipping world, then we hope this guide on everything that you should know about TikTok Shipping was helpful for you.
If you have any more tidbits to share, then feel free to let us know, and if you have queries, then make sure to reach out as well. Moreover, if, as a seller, you provide exceptional third-party logistics (3PL), then we suggest you check out NextSmartShip for cost-effective solutions.
