TikTok Shop Logistics Policy Change 2026: What US Sellers Need to Know About FBT, Upgraded TikTok Shipping, and CBT

TikTok Shop has announced a major shift in how US sellers will fulfill orders starting in 2026.  

Beginning February 25, 2026, the platform will phase in mandatory requirements for all US local sellers to fulfill orders exclusively through TikTok Shop Logistics Services. By March 31, 2026, “Seller Shipping” will be completely discontinued. 

This change follows the December 2025 implementation of the same policy for cross-border sellers and signals TikTok’s commitment to controlling the logistics experience on its platform.  

New sellers onboarding on or after February 9, 2026, are already required to use TikTok Shop Logistics Services exclusively. 

In this comprehensive guide, we break down your three shipping options, the implications for your business, and actionable steps to ensure a smooth transition. 

Key dates and timeline

Understanding your 3 logistics options 

Under the new policy, US sellers must fulfill all orders through one of these three TikTok Shop Logistics Services programs: 

1. Fulfilled by TikTok (FBT) 

Best for: High-volume sellers, brands with viral potential, sellers seeking hands-off fulfillment 

FBT is TikTok Shop’s in-house fulfillment service – similar to Amazon’s FBA program. You send your inventory to TikTok fulfillment centers (currently located in Pennsylvania and Virginia), and TikTok handles storage, picking, packing, and shipping to customers. 

Key Benefits: 

• Free 3-Day delivery badge: Products display a prominent badge that TikTok states will increase daily views by 30%+ and conversion rates by 15-20% 
• Cost savings: 20-35% lower fulfillment costs compared to UPS/USPS; multi-unit orders see up to 24% additional savings as of January 2026 
• Metric protection: Logistics-related issues are excluded from your Shop Performance Score, including Late Dispatch Rate and Seller Fault Cancellation Rate 
• Order protection: TikTok reimburses sellers for lost, damaged, or misdelivered packages 
• Free storage: Up to 30 days of free storage per inbound shipment; reduced storage fees for inventory up to 270 days 
• Enhanced visibility: Products appear in dedicated FBT channels and “Deals for You” promotions 

Pricing Structure: 

• Single-unit fulfillment fees start at $3.58 per item 
• Multi-unit fulfillment fees start at $2.86 per item 
• Fees based on the greater of unit weight or dimensional weight 
• All FBT products now qualify for free shipping by default with no $30 minimum (as of June 2025) 

Considerations: 

• You lose direct control over fulfillment quality and branding 
• TikTok partners with third-party logistics providers, which some sellers report can lead to inconsistent service 
• Hub placement fees may apply if not shipping directly to fulfillment centers 
• $3 return handling fee for shopper returns processed through FBT 

2. Upgraded TikTok Shipping 

Best for: Sellers who want to maintain their own warehouse/3PL but benefit from TikTok’s carrier rates and metric protections 

Upgraded TikTok Shipping is a middle-ground solution where TikTok manages carrier relationships and provides discounted shipping labels, but you maintain control of your inventory and fulfillment operations. 

Key benefits: 

• Discounted rates: Up to 20% savings on shipping through TikTok’s centrally negotiated carrier rates 
• Metric protection: Exemptions from On-Time Delivery Rate, Negative Review Rate, and Valid Tracking Rate penalties when you ship within 2 business days 
• Claims handling: TikTok handles claims for lost, damaged, or undelivered packages directly 
• Optimized carrier selection: TikTok automatically selects the best carrier based on package size, weight, and destination 
• Flexible setup: Register some warehouses for TikTok Shipping while others remain on your current fulfillment method 
• Reliable network: Primarily powered by USPS with nationwide coverage 

How it works: 

1. Register your warehouse(s) through Seller Center 
2. When orders come in, purchase shipping labels through TikTok 
3. Pick, pack, and label orders at your facility 
4. Drop off packages at designated locations or use pickup services 

Important note on USPS Labels: 

Starting January 2026, all USPS shipping labels for TikTok Shop orders must be purchased through TikTok Shipping. You cannot use USPS labels from Shopify, ShipStation, or your own USPS account. Labels from external sources will be rejected. However, you can still use your own labels for non-USPS carriers like UPS, FedEx, and DHL. 

3. Collections by TikTok (CBT) 

Best for: High-volume sellers with warehouses in eligible geographic areas who want maximum savings with door-to-door pickup. 

CBT is TikTok’s premium pickup service that offers the deepest discounts but is only available in select US regions and requires meeting volume thresholds. 

Key benefits: 

• Maximum savings: Up to 30% additional shipping discounts beyond standard TikTok Shipping rates 
• Free daily pickup: TikTok arranges free door-to-door pickup at your warehouse with scheduled time windows 
• No peak season surcharges: TikTok covers all additional carrier surcharges for CBT shipments during peak seasons 
• Same metric protections: Full exemptions from logistics-related performance metrics 

Eligibility requirements: 

• Warehouse must be located in eligible zip codes: Greater Los Angeles, East Coast (specific areas), or Texas 
• Must meet order volume thresholds (varies by region) 
• Warehouse must support CBT operations (sorting, handover procedures) 
• Must follow CBT-specific operational guidelines for package preparation 

Operational requirements: 

• Sort CBT orders separately from other orders 
• Hand over packages only to designated CBT providers (not regular carriers) 
• Sign handover documents on-site at pickup 
• Be ready during your scheduled pickup window 

Note: CBT enrollment is currently closed and will reopen on January 5, 2026. If you’re in an eligible area and meet volume requirements, prepare to apply immediately when enrollment opens. 

Strategic Implications for Sellers 

What This Means for Your Business 

Loss of Carrier Flexibility: If you’ve negotiated competitive rates with carriers or use multi-channel shipping software, this policy significantly limits your options. Your Shopify, ShipStation, or 3PL workflows will need to be reconfigured specifically for TikTok orders. 

Platform Lock-In: TikTok is following Amazon’s playbook by controlling the fulfillment experience. While this can improve customer satisfaction and consistency, it also increases your dependence on the platform. 

Operational Complexity for Multi-Channel Sellers: If you sell on Amazon, Walmart, Shopify, and TikTok, you now need distinct fulfillment workflows for TikTok orders—especially if using USPS. 

ERP Integration Requirements: If your ERP system doesn’t support TikTok Shipping, you’ll need to either upgrade your integration or fulfill TikTok orders manually through Seller Center until integration is complete. 

Action items: prepare now

Before February 2026: 

Audit Your Current Fulfillment: Document your current shipping costs, carriers, and workflows for TikTok orders 

Compare your options: Use TikTok’s Shipping Calculator to compare rates across all three options for your typical package profiles 

Check CBT eligibility: If your warehouse is in LA, East Coast, or Texas, prepare to apply for CBT enrollment starting January 5, 2026 

Evaluate FBT economics: Calculate whether the 3-Day Badge visibility boost and conversion increases offset the loss of fulfillment control 

Update ERP/Software integrations: Contact your ERP provider or shipping software to ensure TikTok Shipping integration is complete 

Train your warehouse team: Review TikTok’s Shipping Warehouse Operations Guide and update your SOPs

Review Non-USPS options: If you prefer using your own carrier rates, consider shifting TikTok volume to UPS, FedEx, or DHL where you can still use your own labels 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I still use my own USPS account after January 2026?

A: No. All USPS labels for TikTok Shop orders must be purchased through TikTok Shipping. If you attempt to upload an external USPS label, you’ll receive an error. However, you can still use your own labels for UPS, FedEx, and other non-USPS carriers. 

Q: What happens if I don’t transition by March 31, 2026?

A: Seller Shipping will be discontinued. You will be unable to fulfill orders without using one of the three TikTok Logistics Services. This could result in order cancellations, performance penalties, and potential account restrictions. 

Q: I use a 3PL for my TikTok orders. What should I do?

A: Your 3PL will need to integrate with TikTok Shipping to generate compliant labels. Many major 3PLs and software providers are already working on TikTok Shipping integrations. Contact your provider to confirm their timeline. 

Q: Is FBT similar to Amazon FBA?

A: Yes, conceptually. You send inventory to TikTok’s warehouses and they handle fulfillment. However, TikTok partners with third-party logistics providers rather than operating all warehouses directly, which some sellers report can lead to inconsistent service quality. 

Q: Will this affect my Shop Performance Score?

A: Actually, using TikTok Logistics Services can protect your scores. Logistics-related issues (late dispatch, cancellations, negative reviews) are excluded from performance metrics when you use FBT, Upgraded TikTok Shipping (with 2-day dispatch), or CBT. 

The bottom line

TikTok’s mandatory logistics policy represents a significant shift for US sellers, but it’s not necessarily bad news. The platform is investing heavily in logistics infrastructure, offering competitive rates, and providing metric protections that can actually benefit compliant sellers. 

The key is to choose the right option for your business model: 

• Choose FBT if you want maximum visibility, hands-off fulfillment, and can accept the loss of direct control 
• Choose Upgraded TikTok Shipping if you want to maintain warehouse control while still getting carrier discounts and metric protection 
• Choose CBT if you’re in an eligible area with sufficient volume and want maximum shipping savings 

Start preparing now. The February deadline will arrive faster than you think, and the sellers who thrive will be those who adapt their operations proactively rather than reactively.