TikTok Shop Ending Independent Shipping for U.S. Brands

TikTok is mandating that U.S. merchants ⁣utilize its internal logistics network ⁣for order fulfillment, ending⁢ the “Seller Shipping” option. ⁣The ⁢change, ‌announced in a memo to advertisers and reviewed by multiple sources, begins phasing in on February 25th and will be fully implemented by the end of March. Businesses selling to TikTok’s 170 million U.S. users will be ⁢required⁣ to use⁤ TikTok’s ‌proprietary services or ‍face removal from the ⁤platform.

This move comes as ‍TikTok finalizes ‍a deal with ⁢new U.S. owners – Oracle, Silver Lake,​ and Abu Dhabi-based MGX – ⁤in an effort to avoid a potential American ban.The centralization of ⁣logistics⁣ is part of a broader strategy to consolidate control over its marketplace.