UK Shipping & Delivery Guide 2024 for TikTok Shop
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Sold your first item on TikTok Shop? Now what?
TikTok Shop is a leading platform for online sellers and ecommerce businesses. Navigating TikTok shipping and delivery can be daunting, whether you're a seasoned seller or just starting out. With our services, we make your parcel delivery options simple. Find the best option across all couriers in a click – from next day delivery to international shipping.
Read our guide on TikTok shipping and delivery-related questions below and learn how to find the best delivery services for you.
What is TikTok Shipping?
Once you’ve sold your item on TikTok Shop, the next step is to organise the shipping and delivery. TikTok offers a variety of shipping options to suit every seller's needs. From standard shipping to international shipping, understanding these options is key to improving your sales.
In this guide, we break down the essentials, including postage prices, TikTok courier services, and tips for offering appealing delivery times to your buyers.
How to Ship on TikTok Shop for Beginners
Setting up shipping in TikTok Shop is streamlined to ensure you can manage your deliveries efficiently. Start by defining your shipping zones within TikTok Shop, specifying different regions or countries each with its unique set of shipping methods. This flexibility allows you to tailor shipping options such as local pickup, flat rate shipping, or free shipping based on the destination.
The process involves going to your TikTok Shop settings, selecting 'Shipping,' and then adding new zones and methods that align with your business needs.
TikTok Shop also supports integration with various shipping plugins, providing more advanced features like real-time cost calculation and courier comparisons.
TikTok Courier Services & Delivery Options
In TikTok Shop, setting up estimated delivery times can enhance customer satisfaction by providing clear expectations. You can use plugins that allow you to display expected delivery times on your shop, product, cart, and checkout pages. These plugins are versatile, allowing you to set specific delivery times based on the product, category, or even by customer location.
Standard TikTok Shipping
TikTok Shop offers multiple delivery options, allowing sellers to select their preferred method from various services, such as courier collection, drop off, and local pickup. You can set the pricing yourself or use TikTok plugins to calculate it based on how other sellers ship similar items.
Offering free shipping can attract more buyers. Select 'Free Shipping' and incorporate the postage cost into the total item price. To avoid unexpected higher delivery costs, you can use services like TikTok's Smart Send to find the cheapest shipping option and calculate the shipping cost in advance.
TikTok Delivery Slots
For more control over delivery scheduling, TikTok Shop plugins let you set up specific time slots for delivery, which customers can select during checkout. This feature is particularly useful for ensuring that deliveries are scheduled at convenient times for customers.
Our free shipping integration tool, Smart Send, connects directly with your TikTok account to offer same day, next day, and 2-day delivery options.
Next Day Delivery
Offering next day delivery on your TikTok Shop can significantly improve customer experience and boost sales. Set up the next day delivery option in your shipping settings, and consider offering it for free on orders above a certain amount to qualify for the "Free Next Day Postage" message. Clearly display this option on product pages and during checkout to inform customers.
Drop Shipping
Drop shipping is the practice of fulfilling orders directly from a wholesale supplier. Also known as sourcing, drop shipping is permitted on TikTok Shop as long as it follows the relevant guidelines. However, it's important to ensure the item is delivered safely within the promised time frame and the customer's satisfaction with their purchase.
International Shipping
As a global platform, TikTok Shop is a great way to take your ecommerce business to the next level with international shipping. Always aim to set a fair price that covers your costs while remaining competitive and attractive to international buyers.
Cheap TikTok International Shipping Options
You can handle international postage yourself by selecting the 'create your own international postage' option in TikTok Shop. Quickly compare and find the cheapest prices for TikTok overseas shipping with TikTok’s Smart Send international couriers.
This feature allows you to filter by reliability, highly trusted, and fully tracked services. Free TikTok parcel tracking is included as standard, which can be shared with your buyer to keep them updated on delivery times for international shipping. Express services are included alongside the relevant customs information, so you don’t receive any unexpected charges.
How Do I Set Up International Shipping in TikTok Shop?
If you are sending parcels through TikTok Shop internationally, you can use our Quick Quote tool or Smart Send to find the cheapest prices. Please ensure you have your parcel dimensions to hand, and then simply enter the weight, width, and height alongside the destination country to find and compare prices.
Our large range of international couriers are experts at delivering parcels around the world from the UK. Whether you need to ship to the EU, or further to the United States, Australia, Asia, and more, we have international options for you. All relevant customs and duty information will be provided, alongside international parcel tracking.
Want to know more about how Smart Send can take your shipping global? Read our handy guide on how to prepare international shipping orders on Smart Send. We also have an International shipping hub with additional information for both business and personal senders.
TikTok Delivery Times
How Long Does TikTok Delivery Take?
TikTok delivery times vary based on the shipping method, location, and store settings. Using plugins like the Estimated Delivery Date & Time, store owners can display precise delivery estimates on product and checkout pages. Customers may also choose preferred delivery dates and times during checkout with plugins like Order Delivery. The actual delivery time is influenced by factors such as chosen shipping methods, business hours, and holidays.
How Long Do TikTok Sellers Have to Ship?
In TikTok Shop, the time sellers have to ship depends on the shipping option included in the listing, the time it takes to package the item, and the courier service used. Sellers can set their handling time from one day up to a maximum of 30 days and must ship items within this specified handling time.
TikTok also recommends specifying the courier and delivery service used. Offering free postage with same-day or 1 business day handling can improve customer satisfaction and ratings.
TikTok Postage Labels & Packaging
Once you’ve sold an item, the next step is packaging! To ensure your item arrives safely and avoids any damage along the way, we recommend using protective packaging such as bubble wrap, packing peanuts, or packing foam for any delicate items such as collectibles, bulky items like car parts, or valuable items such as electronics and jewellery.
If you sort your own postage, such as through Smart Send, you can print your labels within the platform for your parcels all in one place. There are also options for printer-free deliveries, where you can have your chosen courier print the labels for you if you don’t have access to a printer.
Labelling Your TikTok Parcel
Once your parcel is packaged securely, the next step is labelling. You can either print your labels or arrange a postage service that will print the label for you.
If printing your own TikTok postage label, simply head to your TikTok dashboard, enter your parcel details such as weight and dimensions, and choose your courier. Then, print your label and attach it to the front of your package, and it’s ready to send.
Returning Items to TikTok Shop
If you have bought an item from a seller on TikTok Shop and are not satisfied, there is an option to return the item and apply for a refund. Simply head to the ‘Orders’ section of your account, select the item you wish to return, and initiate the return process.
When returning your item, list the reasons why. If the item arrived faulty or damaged, include pictures of the fault to support your claim. Typically, the seller has a set period, often around 3 working days, to respond to your return request. TikTok Shop provides various plugins to streamline the return process, making it easy for both sellers and customers to handle returns and refunds effectively.
Returning an Item to TikTok in the Post
It's important to return your item to the seller on time to increase your chances of receiving a full refund. Carefully package the item to ensure it is not damaged during transit, as the seller can deduct any damage from your refund.
You can use a service like TikTok’s Smart Send to return your item, choosing the best courier service for you. This includes free tracking as standard, so you know the item has reached the seller. TikTok refunds should typically be processed within a few days of the seller receiving your item, although the exact timing can depend on the payment gateway used and the seller's refund policy.
If you do not hear back from the seller within 3 days of them receiving your item, you can escalate the issue through TikTok Shop's support channels or directly contact the seller to resolve the case.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do TikTok payments work?
TikTok Payments integrates directly into the TikTok dashboard, allowing users to manage all aspects of payment processing without needing external gateways. This system supports various payment methods including credit cards and digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Does TikTok charge transaction fees?
TikTok itself does not charge transaction fees for sales processed through its platform. However, transaction fees can still apply depending on the payment gateway you use, such as PayPal or Stripe, which typically charge a fee for processing payments.
How long do TikTok payments take?
TikTok payments typically process and complete within 24 to 48 hours, but this can vary depending on the payment processor used, such as PayPal or Stripe, and other factors like bank processing times, especially over weekends or holidays.