TikTok Shop U.S. updates sample rules: Sellers must manage creator posting and inventory
TikTok Shop U.S. updated its sample guidelines. Refundable samples have a 120-day sales-target window, while free samples generally require video or livestream content within 14 days.
What are the key facts?
- 1TikTok Shop U.S. updated its sample guidelines
- 2Refundable samples require creators to reach a sales target within 120 days
- 3Free samples generally require content to be posted within 14 days
- 4Overdue content does not automatically restore the sample quota
- 5Sellers should reassess sample budgets and inventory reserves
What happened?
TikTok Shop U.S. updated its sample guidelines on September 24, 2026. The rules directly affect cooperation between sellers and creators. Refundable samples allow eligible creators to purchase products first. If a creator reaches the sales target set by the seller through video or livestream within 120 days of receiving the product, the creator may receive a refund including shipping and taxes. Free samples require creators to have TikTok Shop sales records within the previous 120 days and are subject to seller review. Free samples generally require creators to post a product-linked video within 14 days of receiving the product or conduct a livestream lasting at least 10 minutes. The new rules also clarify that failing to post free-sample content by the deadline does not automatically release or restore the sample quota. Creators must complete the content requirement or submit a valid issue appeal. Sellers should allocate sample budgets, target order counts, and inventory reserves based on creator conversion performance, and include the 14-day posting deadline, 120-day refund window, and return period in cooperation agreements and inventory plans.
What does this mean for cross-border sellers?
The sample rules directly affect creator-partnership costs, inventory held, and sample-quota management. Sellers should include the 14-day free-sample content requirement, the 120-day sales-target window for refundable samples, and the return period in creator selection, agreements, and inventory plans to avoid sending large volumes of samples to low-converting creators.
What should sellers do now?
- 1This week, select free-sample recipients based on creators’ historical conversion performance. Verify that they have TikTok Shop sales records within the previous 120 days, and write the requirement to post a product-linked video or conduct a livestream of at least 10 minutes within 14 days of receipt into the confirmation form.Creator Outreach
- 2This week, create a 120-day tracking sheet for refundable samples. Record the receipt date, seller-set sales target, video or livestream performance, and refund status, and include shipping and taxes in the cost calculation.Procurement List
- 3This week, review inventory and quota occupied by free samples. Mark creators who have missed the content deadline one by one, arrange completion of the content requirement or a valid issue appeal, and do not count overdue samples as automatically recoverable quota.