In 2025, TikTok Shop continues to be a powerhouse e-commerce platform, connecting businesses with millions of potential customers worldwide. While the platform offers tremendous opportunities for sellers, it maintains specific policies regarding what can be sold without special permission. Many valuable product categories fall under TikTok Shop restricted products, requiring additional verification before listing.
Unlike prohibited items that cannot be sold under any circumstances, restricted products on TikTok Shop can be offered once sellers complete a specialized approval process. This article provides a comprehensive roadmap for navigating these requirements successfully.
Why TikTok Shop Restricts Certain Products
The implementation of restrictions on specific product categories serves several critical purposes:
- Consumer Safety: Ensures all listed items meet safety standards and pose no harm to users.
- Legal Compliance: Aligns with diverse international regulations governing product sales.
- Platform Integrity: Upholds trust and credibility among buyers and sellers alike.
- Risk Mitigation: Reduces the potential for disputes, returns, or customer dissatisfaction.
Far from being arbitrary barriers, these measures function as a quality assurance framework, fostering a secure and reliable marketplace that benefits all stakeholders.
The Four Main Categories of TikTok Shop Restricted Products
TikTok Shop currently classifies restricted products into four primary categories:
1. Beauty and Personal Care
This extensive category encompasses products that come into direct contact with the body:
- Skincare and Cosmetics: Including sunscreens, moisturizers, facial masks, serums
- Haircare Products: Shampoos, conditioners, styling products, hair treatments
- Personal Grooming Devices: Electric toothbrushes, facial cleansing tools, massagers
- Makeup Items: Foundations, eyeshadows, lipsticks, concealers
- Fragrances: Perfumes, colognes, scented body products
2. Food and Beverage Items
All consumable products require special approval:
- Packaged Foods: Snacks, candies, preserved goods, specialty foods
- Dairy Products: Cheese, yogurt, butter, milk-based items
- Beverages: Teas, soft drinks, juices, coffee products
- Prepared Foods: Ready-to-eat meals, food kits, specialty cuisine items
3. Supplements and Infant Formula
Products formulated for nutritional supplementation:
- Baby Formula：All infant nutritional products
- Child Supplements: Vitamins and minerals designed for children
- General Supplements: Capsules, powders, and tablets with nutritional claims
4. Functional Foods
Products marketed with specific health-enhancing properties:
- Wellness Supplements:Products claiming general health benefits
- Beauty-Enhancing Foods: Items marketed for skin, hair, or nail improvement
- Athletic Performance Products: Protein supplements, pre-workout formulas
- Targeted Nutrition: Products for pregnant women, children, or specific health conditions
Additionally, TikTok maintains certain "invite-only" product categories that are exclusive to pre-vetted sellers with established track records.
How to Get Approval for Restricted Products on TikTok Shop
Selling restricted products requires following a specific approval pathway:
Step 1: Submit Your Registration Request
If you are a seller in Vietnam，Begin by visiting TikTok Shop's official restricted category application portal at: https://wj.byteoversea.com/q/49432/5X5L927k/16d4/#/
Complete all required fields accurately, including:
- Business identification information
- Product category details
- Contact information
- Business location and shipping capabilities
After submission, TikTok Shop will begin reviewing your application, which typically takes 3-5 business days.
Step 2: Prepare Required Documentation
While awaiting initial review, gather all necessary documentation for your product category. Requirements vary based on what you intend to sell:
General Brand Documentation (Required for All Categories)
- Valid business license or registration
- Brand ownership proof (trademark registration) or authorized distributor documentation
- Product patents or intellectual property rights (when applicable)
- Quality certification from recognized testing organizations
Category-Specific Requirements
For Beauty and Personal Care:
- Detailed product information forms
- Complete packaging images showing:
- Product name and intended use
- Full ingredient list
- Manufacturing origin
- Volume/weight
- Expiration dating
- Registration numbers
- Safety warnings
- Compliance documentation with local cosmetic regulations
For Food and Beverages:
- Product registration certificates
- Signed self-declaration forms
- Food safety certifications (GMP, ISO 22000, HACCP)
- Complete nutritional information
- Ingredient listings
- Production and expiration dates
- Storage requirements
For Supplements and Infant Formula:
- Product registration documentation
- Age-appropriate usage guidance
- Complete ingredient disclosure
- Warning statements
- Advertising content confirmation
- Expiration information
For Functional Foods:
- Product registration certificates
- Self-declaration with test results
- Safety certifications
- Complete ingredient lists
- Mandatory disclaimer statements
- Advertising content confirmation
Step 3: Submit for Final Approval
Once your initial registration is accepted, you'll receive instructions for uploading your documentation through the Seller Center. Ensure all files are:
- Clearly legible
- In accepted file formats (typically PDF)
- Complete with no missing pages
- Organized according to TikTok's specifications
Maintaining Compliance After Approval
Gaining approval is just the beginning of your responsibility when selling restricted products on TikTok Shop. The platform conducts ongoing compliance checks, and violations can result in:
- Temporary account suspension
- Product listing removal
- Permanent selling privilege revocation
- Possible reporting to regulatory authorities
To maintain good standing:
- Keep all certifications current
- Update documentation when products change
- Monitor customer feedback closely
- Follow all TikTok Shop policies
Best Practices for Success with Restricted Products
Experienced TikTok Shop sellers recommend these approaches when handling restricted categories:
1. Document Everything Meticulously
Maintain organized records of all approvals, correspondence, and documentation. This organization proves invaluable during audits or if questions arise about your listings.
2. Stay Current with Regulations
Both TikTok Shop policies and governmental regulations evolve continuously. Regularly check for updates to ensure ongoing compliance.
3. Plan for Extended Approval Timelines
The restricted product approval process can take longer than expected, especially during busy retail periods. Build extra time into your launch schedule to accommodate potential delays.
4. Invest in Quality Photography
Since restricted products face additional scrutiny, high-quality images showing packaging, labels, and product details can expedite the approval process.
5. Be Transparent with Customers
Clearly communicate ingredients, usage instructions, and any warnings to build trust and reduce the likelihood of disputes.
Why Restricted Products Are Worth It
Yes, navigating TikTok Shop restricted products takes effort—but the payoff? Huge. Here’s why:
- Less Competition: Fewer sellers mean more spotlight.
- Trust Factor: Approved goods scream quality.
- Premium Vibes: These categories often fetch higher prices.
- Platform Perks: TikTok loves showcasing vetted sellers.
Run multiple stores:
In addition to applying to sell restricted products, running multiple stores efficiently can also earn more benefits. However, many sellers encounter problems with network and device isolation when operating multiple stores, which may cause TikTok to detect the same seller and thus restrict traffic. To avoid this, Zibird provides a safe and efficient solution.
Zibird is a multi-account security management browser designed for e-commerce, which supports sellers to manage multiple TikTok Shop stores on one device at the same time. By providing an independent operating environment for each account, Zibird ensures the isolation of the network and device, avoiding the risk of being detected by the platform. In addition, Zibird provides high-quality, clean private networks worldwide, as well as unique browser fingerprints, further enhancing the security and stability of the account.
In other words, by using Zibird, tiktok shop sellers can easily expand their business and cover more users while maintaining an efficient and secure operating environment.
Conclusion
Selling restricted products on TikTok Shop in 2025 demands attention to detail and thorough preparation. The above information is about selling restricted products on TikTok Shop. Hope it helps!