TikTok Shop announced a major change to its U.S. shipping policy. Starting January 1, 2026, TikTok Shop will require sellers to purchase and print all U.S. Postal Service (USPS) shipping labels through TikTok Shipping (4PL).
The move means labels generated from external sources such as Shopify, ShipStation, or a seller’s own USPS account will be rejected if used for TikTok shop orders.
While TikTok Shop didn’t publicly explain why it’s making this change, the update aims to curb the use of counterfeit postage and ensure full compliance with U.S. federal law.
What is TikTok Shipping?
TikTok Shipping (4PL) is TikTok’s internal shipping and logistics system. The system manages carriers and label generation for TikTok sellers, while letting them handle their inventory and order fulfillment. Here’s how it works:
- Sellers store, pick, and pack their own orders.
- TikTok purchases USPS postage directly from the carrier at standard rates.
- Sellers request the shipping labels through the TikTok Shop.
So what does 4PL mean? It’s an abbreviation for a fourth-party logistics provider. A 4PL, like TikTok Shipping, is a logistics model in which a company outsources its entire supply chain management and logistics to a single external company.
What Does the New Move Mean for TikTok Sellers?
The new directive tightens TikTok Shop’s control over the shipping process and label creation for USPS shipments. Here’s what you should expect if you’re a U.S. seller:
- You must buy USPS labels through TikTok Shipping if you’re using USPS.
- You can’t use USPS labels from external sources like Shopify
- TikTok will reject your order if you use an external USPS label.
These rules come into effect starting January 2026. So, sellers must be prepared by December 31, 2025, to avoid disruptions in fulfilling TikTok shop orders.
What Can TikTok Sellers Do?
While the move affects USPS shipments, it won’t impact carriers like FedEx and UPS. Sellers can still work with these carriers and skirt the TikTok label restriction.
How Will TikTok Sellers Respond to the Change?
TikTok sellers may adopt a hybrid approach using TikTok Shipping for USPS when it makes financial sense, and other carriers for orders that require greater control and consistency.
Some third-party logistics (3PL) providers are reconsidering how they support TikTok shipping. Weighing in on the new rule, Axion, a 3PL focused on omnichannel ecommerce, is opting not to use TikTok Shop labels because they would add additional costs and complexity.
In a LinkedIn post, the 3PL’s Chief Operating Officer, Logan Black, said, ”We can disable USPS and ship TikTok orders with UPS, FedEx, Amazon Shipping, etc., with no change in speed. The issue is cost. For many TTS sellers, especially those shipping small and light products, USPS is the only affordable option. Switching carriers raises shipping costs, which either sellers or buyers will have to absorb.”
If you’re a TikTok seller using USPS for fulfillment, you’ll need to switch to TikTok’s internal shipping system to purchase and print USPS labels or use alternative carriers to avoid service disruption come January 2026.
