TikTok Shop Prohibited Products Guidelines
08/02/2024
Overview
1.1 Introduction
The TikTok Shop Prohibited Products Guidelines have been drafted with the express purpose of:- Building a positive shopping environment on TikTok Shop; and
- Providing a shopping experience that consumers can have confidence in.
1.2 Scope
These TikTok Shop Prohibited Products Guidelines cover classes of products that sellers are prohibited from offering/importing when selling their products on TikTok Shop.All sellers must not list, sell, ship or promote any of the prohibited products set out in these guidelines. TikTok Users are also restricted from sharing or creating content involving the prohibited products set out in these guidelines.Important Note: TikTok Shop may take enforcement actions against sellers or creators who breach these guidelines in accordance with our Merchant Terms of Service. Sellers are also responsible for ensuring that the listing, sale, and provision of products on TikTok Shop comply at all times with applicable laws and regulations.These guidelines are intended to facilitate seller compliance. They are not exhaustive and not intended as legal advice. We encourage sellers to seek independent legal advice if they have questions about the laws and regulations concerning their products.In addition to these Prohibited Product Guidelines, the TikTok Shop Restricted Product Guidelines apply to products that require specific product category approval. Sellers must adhere to both guidelines when selling on TikTok Shop. These Prohibited Products Guidelines are updated periodically. Sellers are responsible for checking this page regularly to ensure that they comply with our current guidelines.Definitions
- Sellers refer to any individual or corporation that sells items on TikTok Shop.
- Content refers to all forms of media that can be uploaded by creators/sellers to TikTok Shop. This includes all available formats such as e-commerce shop windows, videos, and live streams.
- Prohibited Products refer to products that are either banned by local law/regulation or are not allowed for sale on TikTok Shop.
- Restricted Products refer to certain types of products that require prior approval from TikTok Shop to be sold. Sellers who wish to sell restricted products may be required to pass a category approval process before selling such products. This process may require sellers to submit documents including but not limited to certifications, testing reports, product or package images, and other regulatory documentation.
TikTok Shop Prohibited Products
3.1 Firearms, Ammunition, and Weapons
Firearms, ammunition, weapons and bladed articles are prohibited from sale on the TikTok Shop platform.This includes but is not limited to:- Kitchen knives
- Table knives
- Carving knives
- Scissors
- Saws
- Firearms. This includes but is not limited to:
- Guns, pistols, rifles, automatic weapons, military ordnance and sport guns
- Replica, antique, and other firearms (such as BB guns, paintball guns, airsoft guns, tear gas guns, cap guns, and spear guns)
- Deactivated firearms and weapons designed to fire blanks (such as starting pistols).
- All associated parts, kits, ammunition, components and accessories for firearms. This includes but is not limited to:
- Internal firearm accessories such as bullets, magazines, barrels, weapon conversion kits and firing pins
- External firearm accessories such as silencers, gun stocks, bolts, fire control groups and trigger groups
- Knives and other bladed products. This includes but is not limited to:
- Switchblades
- Butterfly knives
- Sharp objects that are intended for domestic use are excluded from this list. This includes but is not limited to:
- Weapons. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Military weaponry, explosive weapons and grenades
- Stun guns and tasers
- Batons and telescopic truncheons
- Tear gas
- Pepper spray and mace
- Brass knuckles, knuckledusters, dan claws, foot claws, and nunchucks
- Crossbows, bows and arrows, slingshots, catapults, and any other assault weapons
- Darts and fencing blades (foil, épée and sabers)
- Any related tutorials or books with instructions for making firearms, ammunition, and weapons are also prohibited.
3.2 Hazardous and Dangerous Items
Hazardous and dangerous items are prohibited from sale on the TikTok Shop platform.This includes but is not limited to:- Radioactive materials and equipment to process radioactive materials
- Explosive materials and equipment to process explosive materials. This includes but is not limited to: explosive gas, explosive fuses, explosive precursors, black powder, and other similar substances and products
- Fireworks. This includes but is not limited to bangers and firecrackers, roman candles, sparklers, skyrockets, aerial bombs or shells and fountains
- Toxic substances and hazardous chemical items and waste. This includes but is not limited to:
- Poisons and carcinogenic substances
- Chemical substances and compounds that are prohibited by law or regulation or that require specific approvals for use
- Any chemical substance or compound that is intended for commercial, industrial, or professional use only
- Any chemical substance or compound that is not available for general consumer purchase
- Liquid mercury and products containing mercury such as thermometers and other devices
- Products that contain large quantities of magnetic balls or cubes. This includes but is not limited to items such as Nanodots, Buckyballs, magnet balls and similar products
- Hazardous materials that are not eligible for transportation or handling
- Any related tutorials or books with instructions for making hazardous products
- Other hazardous materials or dangerous goods that pose a significant threat to the safety and security of customers, facilities, or the environment
- Dangerous toys and games
- Toys and games (also includes electronic games) that are harmful to children (mentally or physically)
- Other toys or games that harm the security, order, and safety of others
- Food additives, food processing enhancers, micronutrients, functional foods, food with high biohazards, foods preserved by radiation and genetically modified foods not yet permitted by competent state agencies
3.3 Human Body Parts and Remains
Human body parts and remains are prohibited from sale on the TikTok Shop platform.This includes but is not limited to:- Human body parts
- Human waste or bodily fluids
- Human remains
- Sperm, egg cells, fertilized eggs, embryos, surrogacy, or intermediary services (buying and selling sperm, egg cells, fertilized eggs, embryos or surrogacy)
- Any product that is made from or contains human body parts (for example, wigs comprising human hair)
3.4 Animal and Animal-related Products
Various animal products are prohibited from sale on the TikTok Shop platform.This includes but is not limited to:- Live animals, livestock, and pets
- Any animal body parts
- Any animal products that contain endangered animals or animals protected by local/international laws
- Non-exhaustive examples of products made from endangered/threatened animals include organs, horns, ivory, bone, skin, fur, wool, leather, or teeth
- Non-exhaustive examples of animals protected by local laws or regulations include rhinos, orangutans and elephants
- Hunting equipment or tools that are potentially harmful to animals or humans
- Cockfighting “slasher” knives
- Prong collars and any other collars that have inward-facing spikes
- Glue traps for vertebrates
- Cat traps and other traps claiming that they can be used for trapping cats
- Products or media that promote any form of animal abuse
- Electrostatic dog collars (including both training and containment systems)
3.5 Protected Wildlife and Plants
Various plant products are prohibited from sale on the TikTok Shop platform.This includes but is not limited to:- Aquatic resources that are banned from exploitation
- Aquatic products that contain toxic or hazardous substances that exceed permitted legal limits
- Products that contain plants or other wildlife protected by local law and regulations
- Aquatic products with natural toxins that are dangerous to human life
- Livestock breeds that are not permitted by law for production and trading
- Livestock breeds that are harmful to human health, the environment, the ecosystem, and livestock gene sources
- Plant varieties that are not permitted by law for production and trading
- Plant varieties that are harmful to production, human health, the environment and the ecosystem
3.6 Adult Products and Services
Adult products or services are prohibited from sale on the TikTok Shop platform.This includes but is not limited to:- Any sex-related adult products and services
- Sexually explicit content, such as adult video games and films with a rating of X, XXX, R18, or unrated for an adults-only audience, sexually explicit anime, comics, books, animation, manga, hentai or yaoi
- Sexually explicit content depicting minors
- Sexually explicit content depicting violent, non-consensual or illegal acts
- Any product that appears to be designed for use in sexual/adult activity. This includes, but is not limited to: sex toys and games or any other adult products depicting or suggestive of sex
- Escort services, including in-person or online services
3.7 Discriminatory and Offensive Products
Discriminatory or offensive products are prohibited from sale on the TikTok Shop platform.This includes but is not limited to:- Products that promote, incite, or glorify hatred, intolerance, and violence
- Products that promote discrimination against people based on their personal characteristics such as race, ethnicity, skin colour, citizenship, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, family status, marital status, disability, or medical or genetic condition
- Products related to terrorism or terrorist organizations
- Products that may be related to campaigns, elections, political issues, or issues of public debate
- Products that may advocate for or against, or attack a politician or political party
- Products that promote or encourage any form of hate, crime, prejudice, rebellion or violence
- Products containing violent or offensive material
- Products that promote or glorify suicide
- Products that promote or glorify people who have been found guilty of violent or sexual crimes
- Products related to human tragedies and natural disasters
- Products that contain racially derogatory language
- Products that contain abuse or harassment towards individuals, including but not limited to violent threats, sexual harassment, or disparaging statements regarding appearance, intellect, personality traits, and hygiene
- Books, audio, videos, documents, and materials that promote religious or racial discrimination
- Any other materials that are prohibited by local laws and regulations from being published or sold
3.8 Illegal Drugs and Drug Paraphernalia
Illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia are prohibited from sale on the TikTok Shop platform.This includes but is not limited to:- Illegal Drugs, chemicals, and raw materials. This includes but is not limited to:
- Narcotics, steroids, and other drugs prohibited by law or regulation
- Any chemicals, ingredients or raw materials used to manufacture drugs or addictive substances. This includes but is not limited to marijuana, opium and poppy seeds
- Drug paraphernalia such as products primarily intended for making, preparing or consuming "controlled substances." This includes but is not limited to bongs, glass pipes or vaporizers designed for smoking or drug use
- Products that claim to provide a “legal high”
3.9 Security and Privacy
Security and privacy products are prohibited from sale on the TikTok Shop platform.This includes but is not limited to:- Materials that contain personal information. This includes but is not limited to:
- Personal information such as mobile phone numbers, e-mail addresses, and other identifying information.
- Software and products designed to extract personal information such as phishing websites.
- Identity cards, passports, social security cards, and other documents that can be used as proof of identity certificates.
- Software, equipment, tutorials, and services used to steal private, personal, or institutional data are prohibited.
- Any other items that infringe or have the potential to infringe upon, an individual’s privacy.
3.10 Government and Military Items
Official government/military items and other restricted equipment are prohibited from sale on the TikTok Shop platform.This includes but is not limited to:- Items and equipment issued by the government, police, or military. This includes but is not limited to:
- Police uniforms, badges, insignia or military uniforms
- Signs, vehicle registration plates, and identification cards
- Government-issued certificates, diplomas and documents, or replicas of the same
- Official emergency lighting systems or sirens, electric shock sticks, bright lights, handcuffs, police sirens or other official equipment
- Items issued by or identifiable to Red Cross, Red Crescent or Red Crystal organizations.
- Items that contain or reference the Red Cross, Red Crescent, or Red Crystal emblems (unless such items are official memorabilia)
3.11 Coins, Cash, Gift cards and Financial Products
Coins, cash, gift cards and other financial products are prohibited from sale on the TikTok Shop platform.This includes but is not limited to:- Any coins or paper money (whether collectable or circulating) that have a legal tender status in any country
- Replica or counterfeit coins, stamps and paper money, such as banknotes, bonds, money orders, silver certificates, gold certificates and other derivatives
- Equipment designed to create counterfeit coins, stamps, or paper money
- Protected art craft and antiques
- Gold or silver products that are not stamped in compliance with applicable laws
3.12 Products that Facilitate Illegal Activity or Dishonest Behaviour
Products that facilitate illegal activity or dishonest behaviour are prohibited from sale on the TikTok Shop platform.This includes but is not limited to:- Products that may facilitate illegal activities and dishonest behaviour include but are not limited to:
- Falsified documents, certificates, official seals, or anti-counterfeiting labels such as identification cards, passports, immigration papers, driving licenses, degrees, certificates and business licenses
- Instruments that can be used for reimbursement and services that act as agents for customs declarations, checklists, and commodity inspections
- Unpublished examination answers, surrogate exam-taking services, and ghostwriting services
- Devices and equipment that may be used for illicit purposes such as:
- Electronic surveillance equipment and other similar electronic equipment such as cable TV, descramblers, radar scanners, traffic signal control devices, wiretapping devices and telephone bugging devices
- Circumvention devices intended for modifying, decoding, and recording vital information
- Telecommunication equipment that has not been registered or authorised by the relevant authorities
- Satellite signal transceivers and software
- Wireless network cards with free net functions or claims in the description for free net
- Devices designed to intentionally block, jam, or interfere with authorized radio communications, such as phones, GPS, radar, and other signals
- Mobile phone repeaters/boosters or enhancers
- Odometer modification devices to tamper with recorded mileage on motor vehicles
- Products that descramble, or gain access to, cable or satellite television services without permission
- Spy equipment and hidden photographic devices
- Products used to evade or impair traffic safety
- Credit card reader terminals and portable magnetic stripe card-readers
- Lockpicking or locksmithing devices, tools, related books and tutorials. Examples include but are not limited to bump keys, slim jims, devices to make or duplicate keys, devices designed to pick a lock, code-grabbing devices, and key-breaking devices
- Gambling and Lottery
- Slot machines and other gaming machines.
- Mystery Boxes (including but not limited to, surprise boxes, mystery pouches, mystery bundles, or any products of the like) that allow customers to receive random products.
- Other illegal activities. This includes but is not limited to:
- Illegal possession.
- Lock-prying tools, unlocking services, and related tutorials and books.
- Any other product that promotes illegal or dangerous activity, including counterfeit designer goods, cable descramblers, fireworks, or websites that promote hacking or evading law enforcement.
3.13 Medicines and Medical Devices
- Prescription medicine
- Unlicensed medicines or herbal/homoeopathic products that make medicinal or health claims regarding cannabidiol (CBD), other cannabinoids, or hemp.
- Unsafe supplements and dietary supplements including, but not limited to:
- Anabolic steroids
- Comfrey, Dehydroepiandrosterone, or Ephedra
- Human growth hormones
- Sexual enhancement or performance supplements
- Any other similar products that are prohibited from being sold under applicable laws and regulations
3.14 Unsafe Food Products
Certain unsafe food products are prohibited from sale on the TikTok Shop platform.This includes but is not limited to:- Any food product that has medicinal claims
- Any food product intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in humans or animals
- Any food product has medicinal claims to interfere with the normal operation of the body's physiological functions (whether permanently or temporarily)
- Any food product containing medicinal claims that the product can terminate, reduce, postpone, increase or accelerate the operation of physiological functions (for example, pharmaceutical drugs, misbranded dietary supplements)
- Noxious food items that contain prohibited substances or substances above legally permitted proportions
- Any adulterated food items
- Non-pasteurized dairy products
- Wild mushrooms
- Any food item that is hazardous to human health
- Any food item that is prohibited by local laws or regulations
3.15 Unlabelled and Repacked Consumer Goods
The following products are prohibited from sale on the TikTok Shop platform:- Products without labels of any kind that can help identify what they are (e.g. A packet of powder without a clear label, such as "Baby Powder", included on the packet)
- Consumer goods, such as medicines, supplements, food/beverages, and beauty/personal care products, that have been repacked by the seller
3.16 Hemp-Derived Products
The following products are prohibited from sale on the TikTok Shop Platform:- Hemp-derived consumables and topically applied products under the Food & Beverage, Health, Beauty & Personal Care and Pet Supplies categories. This includes but is not limited to:
- Hemp seed oil
- Hemp body lotion
- Hemp bird seed
- Hemp chips
3.17 Products with Maps
- Products with maps (such as globles, GPS navigation devices, T-shirts, Mugs, Passport Covers, etc.) that:
- Do not include the two archipelagos Hoang Sa and Truong Sa or;
- Include the Xisha and Nansha archipelagos or;
- Include the cow tongue line (nine-dash line)
3.18 Other Prohibited Products
There are various other products that are prohibited from sale on the TikTok Shop platform.This includes but is not limited to:- Products that violate the intellectual property rights of brands or other rights owners
- Counterfeit products
- Artefacts and antiquities
- Conflict minerals (natural sources extracted in a conflict zone and sold to perpetuate fighting)
- Conflict diamonds (diamonds mined in war zones and sold to finance an insurgency)
- Embargoed, mislabelled, or expired products
- Stolen goods that are not the property of the seller, or were obtained through illegal means
- Products recalled by manufacturers or governmental, national, or international agencies
- Products and services that involve the following:
- Government-subsidized housing
- Illegal marriages
- Supernatural and mystical topics
- Black-magic or witchcraft,
- Money laundering
- Pyramid schemes
- Products that are inappropriate according to local cultures and social conventions
- Obscene, seditious and treasonous materials
- Products that may not be compliant with local laws, regulations, product qualifications, certifications, technical standards, or standard requirements
- Products that are illegal, prohibited from being sold, or determined unsafe by the relevant local authorities
- Products that may not be lawfully imported into the country where the buyer is located
- Products, services, technology, or website content that promotes any illegal or dangerous activity. This includes false document services, counterfeit designer goods, cable descramblers, fireworks, or websites that promote hacking or evading law enforcement.
- Any other products that are prohibited from sale according to applicable laws and regulations
Information and Audit
Appeal