TikTok Shop, as a revolutionary social e-commerce model, provides merchants with a direct channel for monetization within the short video ecosystem. Users complete their purchase decisions while immersed in content, and data shows that the conversion efficiency of TikTok users is 40% higher than that of traditional e-commerce. Some emerging brands have achieved monthly sales of over $1 million USD through platform traffic. In 2025, with the improvement of TikTok’s global logistics network and payment systems, the entry threshold for small stores in the US region will be further simplified, requiring only basic qualifications to quickly open a store. This article will analyze the latest enrollment policies and practical strategies to help you seize the cross-border blue ocean market.
Core Value of TikTok Stores TikTok stores are a closed-loop e-commerce solution designed for merchants, supporting the display of goods through various scenarios such as short videos, live streams, and display windows. Users can complete their purchases without having to switch to another platform. Its core advantages include:
- Viral Effect: Leveraging the platform’s 3 billion monthly active users and intelligent recommendation algorithms, goods can be accurately targeted to interested users.
- Content is the Shelf: Through creative content such as plot insertion and product reviews, the “seed-grass-reap” integrated chain is realized.
- Globalization: Supports multi-national site synchronization, allowing a single account to cover major consumption markets such as the US, Europe, and Southeast Asia.
- Data-Driven Operation: Real-time monitoring of user interaction data to optimize product selection and marketing strategies.
- Low-Cost Launch: Zero-fanbase access to live streaming sales permissions, and new stores enjoy a 3-month flow support plan.
TikTok US Region Store Enrollment Guide for 2025
I. Qualification Requirements and Policy Updates
- Entity Type: China Mainland/Hong Kong registered companies (provide unified social credit code)
- Currently not accepting individual sellers and individual industrial and commercial households
- Logistics Requirements:
- Prioritize TikTok’s official logistics partners (such as TikTok Fulfillment Network)
- Support US domestic warehouse or bonded warehouse direct shipments, with a promise of delivery within 7 days
- Compliance:
- Prohibit the sale of restricted goods such as electronic cigarettes and weapons
- Provide FDA/FCC certification (compulsory for beauty and electronics categories)
II. Enrollment Materials Checklist
- Business license (need to be stamped with the company seal and scanned in color)
- ID of the legal representative (front and back) and a handheld ID photo
- Brand authorization letter (required for non-own brands)
- Overseas warehouse contract or logistics cooperation agreement
- Links to third-party platform stores (such as Amazon and Shopify, which can be used as a plus)
III. Five-Step Quick Store Opening Process
Step 1: Account Registration Register on the TikTok Shop website and fill in the correct phone number and email address. Get the verification code and set the password.
Step 2: Entity Authentication
- Choose “North America Marketplace”
- Upload the business license and fill in the unified social credit code
- Complete facial recognition for the legal representative (use the latest version of the TikTok app)
Step 3: Store Configuration Fill in the store name – Select the main category (currently 26 categories) – After selecting the category, the corresponding guarantee amount required for the category will be prompted below – Create a TikTok official account (can click to skip) – Submit for review (the general review cycle is 3-10 working days)
Step 4: Product Listing
- Use AI smart tools to optimize product titles (such as “Summer Viral Dress” + hot search keywords)
- Upload 6 scene-based main images (need to include size comparison and usage scenario images)
- Set multiple SKU specifications and tiered pricing strategies
Step 5: Logistics Integration
- Integrate with TikTok Shipping API to achieve automatic synchronization of orders
- Choose “Platform Logistics Subsidy Program” to reduce shipping costs by 15%
Methods for Building a Store Visual System
Brand Visual Pyramid Design
- Top Layer Symbols: Design memorable brand icons (such as the “deer eyes” symbol of Perfect Diary)
- Color System: Main colors should not exceed 3 (reference Pantone’s annual color trends)
- Font Standardization: Prefer to use Sans Serif fonts in English (such as Helvetica Neue)
| Module Location | Function design | Case Reference |
| Top banner | Dynamic promotional poster (GIF format supported) | Shein“Flash Sale”Countdown design |
| Merchandise display area | According to the logical sequence of “hot style-new product-clearance” | Show details with 3D carousel |
| Interactive Zone | Embed UGC activities such as “vote for new products” | Set a hashtag#MyStyleChallenge |
AIGC Content Generation Tools
- Text Optimization: Use ChatGPT to generate 100+ localized product description variants
- Visual Design: Create marketing materials using Canva Magic Design
- Video Editing: Use CapCut’s template library to quickly produce promotional videos
2025 TikTok Store Advanced Operation Strategies
1.Matrix-style Account Operation Model
- Flow Accounts: Post 3-5 vertical videos per day (using #TikTokShop, #ViralProduct tags)
- Conversion Accounts: Conduct 2 live streams per week, with “limited-time discounts” and “interactive giveaways” play
- Brand Accounts: Publish user testimonials, factory tracing, and other in-depth content
2.Anti-Association Risk Control System
- Device Isolation: Configure independent phones for each store (recommend using Unihertz small machines)
- IP Management: Use residential proxy services (such as BrightData) to achieve customized geographic IP
- Payment Isolation: Bind different PayPal business accounts to avoid overlapping payment information
3.Advertising Spending Combination
- Cold Start Phase: Use Spark Ads to promote popular videos (CPM <$5)
- Growth Phase: Turn on product promotion ads (ROAS target value of 2.5)
- Mature Phase: Deploy search ads (bid 0.3 – 0.3 – 1.2 / click)
Common Questions and Answers
1.What are the conditions for opening a TikTok store?
- Qualifications:
- Need to provide a business license from mainland China or Hong Kong (individual sellers and individual industrial and commercial households are not supported)
- The business license’s scope of business must include the category of goods to be sold
- New requirement in 2025: Cross-border sellers need to complete platform compliance certification (such as EPR registration)
- Logistics Capability:
- Need to provide proof of local warehouse shipments in the US market (FBA warehouse or TikTok certified overseas warehouses)
- Support a logistics solution that can deliver within 7 days (the platform will evaluate the fulfillment time)
- Compliance:
- Need to pass the platform’s category review (such as beauty products requiring FDA certification and electronics requiring FCC certification)
- Prohibit the sale of goods on the platform’s banned list (such as pharmaceuticals and weapons)
- Account Security:
- The registered email and phone number must be unique and not bound to other TikTok stores
- The legal representative must pass dual verification through facial recognition and ID documents
2.How to improve store exposure?
- Content Operation Strategy:
- Post 3-5 vertical videos per day (using #TikTokShop, #ViralProduct tags)
- Conduct 2 live streams per week, with “limited-time discounts” and “interactive giveaways” play
- Collaborate with influencers with over 10,000 followers (matched through TikTok’s Elite Alliance)
- Traffic Acquisition Techniques:
- Participate in the platform’s “Trending Products” flow support plan (new stores can get a homepage recommended position)
- Optimize product titles keywords (reference TikTok Shop’s hot search keyword library)
- Run Promote Pins ads (homepage top display, CPC as low as $0.2)
- Data-Driven Operation:
- Use TikTok Shop Analytics to analyze user demographics (focus on optimizing the preferences of users aged 18-34)
- Update product main images every 48 hours (AB test click-through rates)
- Set up automatic reply scripts (increase customer response rate to 90% or more)
3.What are the fees for TikTok stores?
Fixed Costs:
Platform commission: Basic rate of 5% (8% for beauty categories), with the option to apply for fee reduction if monthly sales exceed 5 million
Payment handling fee: Visa/Mastercard charges 1.5% + 0.3%, deducted by the platform
Guarantee: 2000 and up (fluctuates by category, 3C categories start at 2000, clothing at 3000)
Variable Costs:
Advertising Fees:
Short video promotion CPM 4 – 4 – 20 (fluctuates based on audience targeting)
Live stream traffic heating 50 / hour (guarantees 2000+ real-time viewers)
Logistics Fees:
Small items: 2.5 – 2.5 – 5 / piece (USPS priority delivery)
Large items: 15 – 15 – 30 / piece (FedEx ground transportation)
Hidden Costs:
Return Handling Fee: 15% of the product price (charged by the platform)
Exchange Rate Loss: PayPal withdrawal fee of 2.5% +Bank exchange rate spread
- Content Production Costs: Professional-level promotional videos cost 50 – 50 – 200 / piece (external team quotes)
TikTok Store Operation Tips
Multi-Store Operation Multi-store operation refers to the strategy of managing and operating multiple TikTok stores simultaneously. This approach can cover different markets, differentiate product lines, increase brand exposure, and sales opportunities, while also helping to diversify risks and improve the seller’s market competitiveness.
However, when implementing multi-store operation, e-commerce sellers need to pay attention to account management and security, particularly the risk of account association. TikTok’s algorithms continuously detect abnormal behaviors, such as frequent IP address changes, inconsistent account activities, etc. If deemed associated accounts, they may be restricted in functionality or even banned. To avoid the risk of account association, sellers need to set up independent operating environments for each store, achieving one machine, one number, one IP. Use tools like GMMat cloud phone matrix to simulate independent device environments, access different network environments through proxy IP, and prevent association issues caused by the same IP. Most importantly, it allows one person to manage and operate multiple accounts simultaneously, greatly saving manpower!
