[Updated] What is Product Certification on TikTok Shop?

Selling on TikTok Shop is an exciting opportunity. But before you can reach over a billion users, there’s one important process to go through. As someone considering using TikTok Commerce, you’ve probably heard about product certification and may be wondering what exactly it involves. In this guide, we’ll explain what product certification on TikTok Shop involves, the documentation and samples you need to submit, and tips for getting your products approved smoothly.

What is Product Certification on TikTok Shop?

In simple terms, product certification is a process where you demonstrate that your products meet specific safety and quality standards set by the policies from TikTok Shop. These policies help them maintain a safe and trustworthy shopping environment for their users.

TikTok will review products to ensure they meet all applicable safety, labeling and compliance standards before they allow you to sell them on their platform. This action helps protect both buyers and sellers.

The Scope of Restricted Products

Various opportunities arise at TikTok Shop, like TikTok dropshippng, TikTok brand marketing, etc. However, there are some limitations placed on products to ensure people’s safety. Any seller needs to be aware of what can and cannot be sold in order to avoid issues.

Let’s take a closer look at what types of items are off-limits on TikTok Shop:

1. Beauty and personal care products (including medical claims): 

Cosmetics meant to be applied to the human body for cleansing, beautifying, or changing appearance without compromising the body’s structure or functions are classified as beauty and personal care items (Ex: skincare, sunscreens, lotions, anti-dandruff shampoo and treatment, anticavity toothpaste,…).

2. Consumer medical devices (Class I and Class II):

These require approval before you can sell them. This category is divided into Class I (Ex: dental floss, electric and manual toothbrushes, oral irrigators or water flossers, whitening teeth devices,…) and Class II (Ex: at-home lasers, IPL hair removal devices,…).

3. Electrical products and electronics:

This category covers a wide range of products, from phone chargers to TVs. Ex:

• Electronic accessories, hand and portable power tools, household appliances, beauty and personal care appliances, and business appliances are examples of general electrical devices and electronics.

• Electronics with Bluetooth or Wi-Fi: Any gadgets that can connect wirelessly, including those that support Wi-Fi, as well as any gadgets that have Bluetooth functionality.

4. Packaged food and beverage:

Any edible or drinkable item that is bottled, canned, cartoned, or safely wrapped, whether packaged in a food establishment or a food processing factory, is considered a packaged food and beverage product (Ex: biscuits, dry baking ingredients, chocolate, nutritional supplements,…).

5. Pet food:

Requires approval before you can sell it on TikTok Shop. Pet food is defined as commercial feed made and supplied for dogs, cats, birds, fish, or reptiles, as well as animal feed meant for ingestion by pets.

6. Products with CO₂ Cylinders:

This type of product is restricted due to safety concerns (Ex: soda maker,…).

7. Surprise-based products:

Surprise-based products are a set of things, or occasionally only one or two things, that are all unknown until they are opened (Ex: mystery box, golden egg, mystery bundles, advent calendars,…).

8. Children’s products:

Products classified as children’s are those made with children 12 years of age or younger in mind. These need to be approved, and dealers must follow certain safety guidelines. Among them are:

• A consumer good that is mostly made for kids 12 years of age or younger.

• The product’s advertisement states that youngsters 12 years of age and under should use it.

• The product is portrayed in the advertisement as being utilized by small children.

• Items that have play value, are sized for children, include childish themes or embellishments, or are marketed primarily towards children.

7. Jewelry, watches, and accessories:

Real gemstones and valuable metals are used to create fine jewelry. It is strong and simple for a jeweler to fix. It requires approval before these products can be sold. This aids TikTok Shop in guaranteeing quality and authenticity. (Ex: items made from diamond, gold, ruby, sapphire, emerald, and other rare minerals, etc.).

8. Pre-owned products:

Products classified as pre-owned have previously been owned, used, or secondhand. Pre-owned items also include any items whose package has been opened.

Why is Product Certification Important?

Product certification acts as a bridge between you, TikTok Shop, and your customers. It ensures compliance with platform policies, builds trust with both TikTok and potential buyers, and ultimately leads to a more successful and sustainable selling experience on TikTok Shop.

Here are a few key reasons why product certification is important for sellers on TikTok Shop:

Safety – Certification ensures products meet all applicable safety standards before being exposed to customers. This protects buyers from potential hazards.

Compliance – Sellers need to comply with various laws and regulations around products like labeling, ingredients, etc. Certification verifies this.

Trust – Going through an approval process builds customer confidence and trust in the seller/platform. It signals the product quality was independently verified.

Liability – Without certification, the seller assumes all legal liability if a product harms someone or its sale is deemed non-compliant. Certification provides coverage.

Discovery – Certified products appear correctly categorized in TikTok Shop, making them easier for customers to discover versus non-approved listings.

Consistency – The certification standards maintain a baseline quality and consistency for all products on the platform. This enhances the overall shopping experience.

Scalability – As sales grow, certification helps sellers scale systematically while still ensuring products meet all changing standards over time.

Access – Product certification is mandatory to take advantage of selling on TikTok Shop and its huge reach/audience for growth.

How to Get Product Certification on TikTok Shop?

Selling on TikTok Shop offers exciting possibilities, but navigating product certification can seem daunting. Worry not! Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you conquer this process:

Step 1: Identify Required Certifications

Consult the Seller University: The first step is to determine if your product category requires any certifications. Head over to TikTok Shop’s Seller University and access the latest product listing qualifications.

Review the Restricted Products List: This list outlines categories that typically require certifications, such as cosmetics or electronics.

Step 2: Gather the Necessary Documentation

Once you confirm your product category’s requirements, locate the specific certifications needed. This information might be readily available on the Seller University page.

Then, depending on the category, this might involve acquiring certificates from relevant regulatory bodies. For example, electronics might require FCC certification.

Step 3: Prepare Your Product Listing

Within the TikTok Shop seller portal, create a new product listing or edit an existing one. During the listing process, you’ll typically find a designated section for uploading product certification documents.

Step 4: Upload Your Documents

• Double-Check File Requirements: Ensure your documents are in the accepted format (e.g., PDF, JPG) and meet the stipulated file size limitations.

• Upload Carefully: Carefully upload the required documents for each product. Remember, some products might require specific certifications, so individual uploads might be necessary.

Step 5: Submit Your Listing for Review

Once you’ve uploaded all necessary documents, submit your product listing for review. TikTok Shop will then assess your listing and product certifications.

Bonus Tip: Stay Updated on Regulations

Product certification requirements can evolve.  Stay informed by regularly checking the Seller University page for any updates on product listing qualifications.

Seek Help if Needed: If you encounter any difficulties during the certification process, don’t hesitate to reach out to TikTok Shop’s seller support for assistance.

Maintain Documentation: Keep copies of your product certifications readily available for future reference.

How can Sellers Submit Certification for New Product Listings?

By following these steps, sellers can ensure their new product listings on TikTok Shop are accompanied by the necessary certification documents, paving the way for a smooth approval process.

1. Accessing the Product Listing:

• Log in to your TikTok Shop seller portal.

• Navigate to the “Products” section. You might see options like “Manage Products” or “Add New Product.”

2. Creating or Editing a Listing:

If you’re adding a new product, choose the “Add New Product” option.

If you’re adding certification to an existing product, locate the product and select “Edit“.

3. Uploading Certification Documents:

During the listing process, look for a designated section for uploading product certifications. This might be labeled “Product Qualifications” or “Certifications“.

This section will typically provide instructions on accepted file formats (e.g., PDF, JPG) and maximum file size limitations.

4. Uploading Individual Certifications:

It’s important to note that each product might require its own set of certifications depending on the category.

Carefully upload the specific documents needed for the product you’re listing. Don’t rely on a generic upload for all products.

5. Completing the Listing Process:

Once you’ve uploaded all required certifications, ensure you’ve filled out all other necessary product details (e.g., description, images, price).

Finally, submit your product listing for review. TikTok Shop will then assess your listing and product certifications.

Conquering product certification on TikTok Shop isn’t just about uploading documents; it’s about presenting a clear and compliant case for your products. Here are some pro tips to streamline your submission process and ensure a smooth approval:

Preparation is key: Before starting a new listing, consult the Seller University’s product listing qualifications. This helps you understand if your product category requires certifications and what specific documents are needed.

Organize for efficiency: Ensure your uploaded documents have clear and descriptive file names. This makes it easier for TikTok Shop to identify the document’s purpose (e.g., “FCC_Certification_Headphones.pdf”).  If a product requires multiple certifications, upload them as separate files instead of a single bundled document. This improves clarity for reviewers.

Double-check before submitting: Always verify your documents are in accepted formats (e.g., PDF, JPG) and meet the specified file size limitations. Uploading incompatible files can lead to delays. Double-check each uploaded document for accuracy and completeness of information. Ensure all required certifications are present for your product category.

Provide clear & high-quality photos and video: Submit at least 5 photos showing all angles of the product. Photos are key for approval. A short demo video can help reviewers visualize products like electronics.

FAQs about TikTok Shop

Q: Why is my product suspended in TikTok shop?

A: Common reasons for suspension include missing or inaccurate documentation, non-compliance with restricted product policies, invalid product info/details, or issues identified from post-listing reviews. Engage with the merchant support team to understand the steps to reinstate listings.

Q: What are the TikTok shop product listing guidelines for sellers?

A: Key guidelines include providing 5+ high-resolution photos, complete specifications, accurate pricing and inventory details. Listings must also adhere to brand and copyright policies. Document uploads are also required for certain categories like supplements or beauty. Products need to satisfy all regulated standards for safety, ingredients etc.

Conclusion

Overall, certification opens the doors for your business on one of the fastest-growing social commerce channels available today. By understanding and fulfilling TikTok’s standards, sellers have an opportunity to not only sell but build their following and brand in new ways. Hope this guide has helped explain what’s involved in presenting your products for review. Check out more e-commerce tips on Dropshipman Blog.