logo
logo
Ecommerce Guides

TikTok Fulfillment in 2024: Unlocking Success with FBT

Ngoc Lee
TikTok Fulfillment in 2024: Unlocking Success with FBT

You heard right! TikTok is now a go-to sales hub for e-commerce sellers. For those diving into TikTok Shop and other features to boost sales, TikTok has introduced Fulfilled by TikTok.

This service allows sellers to fulfill TikTok orders directly through TikTok Shop, without outsourcing. This guide will provide you with the full guide to TikTok Fulfillment and how to maximize its potential. Ready to dive in?

What Is Fulfilled By TikTok?

With total global sales of 1.9 billion on TikTok Shops, TikTok has enhanced the e-commerce experience by launching Fulfilled by TikTok, making it more convenient for merchants to sell on the platform.

Fulfilled by TikTok (FBT) is a logistics service available for TikTok Shop orders. With this new fulfillment solution, TikTok Shop helps sellers handle the storage, picking, packing, and shipping of orders.

In essence, TikTok serves as an all-in-one solution for e-commerce merchants selling through the app.

FBT enhances the end-to-end shopping journey on TikTok Shop
FBT enhances the end-to-end shopping journey on TikTok Shop

Now, sellers can relax a bit. They can experience a more reliable and cost-effective fulfillment service. Meanwhile, they can focus on crucial aspects of their business on TikTok without the burden of order fulfillment.

So, what do you get with Fulfilled By TikTok?

  • FBT will automatically fulfill orders made by 7 PM Monday to Saturday
  • Premium next-day delivery service
  • Instant messaging and dedicated customer service

How Does Fulfilled by TikTok Work?

The TikTok fulfillment process involves the following steps.

Fulfilled by TikTok process
Fulfilled by TikTok process

Sign up for a seller account on TikTok Shop

Begin by creating a TikTok Shop account. Then, sign up for Fulfilled by TikTok using your shop account. If you've picked out specific items to sell, make sure to store a certain amount at the TikTok fulfillment center. This helps things run smoothly and gets your orders processed efficiently.

Create inbound orders and print barcodes

Merchants aiming to store products at the TikTok fulfillment center need to generate inbound orders. Once completed, they need to print barcodes, making the products ready for shipping to the TikTok warehouse.

Deliver your products to the TikTok warehouse

Sellers will dispatch a portion of their SKUs to the TikTok warehouse. Sellers have two options to hand over the package to the TikTok warehouse.

  • Pick up

Sellers need to finish packing, arrange for a pickup, and deliver the package to the carrier within 2 working days of placing the order. After the package is dispatched, TikTok will update the order status to "Shipped" in the Seller Center.

  • Drop off

After packing, sellers must pick the nearest drop-off spot in the Seller Center. Then, they need to update the order status to "To Ship - Awaiting Collection" by themselves.

Within 2 working days, drop off the package at the chosen spot. Once it's sent out, TikTok picks it up and updates the order status to "Shipped" in the system.

TikTok Shop inventory storage

Once receiving your products, TikTok manages storage, tracks stock levels, and notifies you when inventory is running low. When a customer makes an order on your TikTok Shop, TikTok receives the order information.

TikTok Shop will give its sellers a comprehensive order fulfillment
TikTok Shop will give its sellers a comprehensive order fulfillment

TikTok Shop picking and packing

TikTok's warehouse staff carefully choose the correct items from inventory to fulfill the order. Following that, they pack the items and label each product in the order, ensuring it's all set for shipping. Besides, they will carry out several quality checks to catch errors and maintain the integrity of the product.

TikTok Shop shipping and delivery

TikTok quickly and reliably delivers orders to customers. Customers get updates along the way, and sellers can also check the delivery status in the Seller Center's 'Manage Orders' panel.

After-sale support

TikTok provides customer service in multiple languages for inquiries and support. If a customer wants to return an item, TikTok handles the entire return and refund process.

In case of any issues, TikTok requests supporting materials from the carrier to investigate. Sellers can also raise a ticket by selecting the 'Complaints & Dispute - Logistic Supplier' option in the Seller Center.

3 Ways to Handle TikTok Shop Orders

If you're wondering how to fulfill your TikTok Shop orders, there are three routes you can take. Even if Fulfilled by TikTok isn't an option in your area, there are alternatives to ensure your TikTok Shop orders are taken care of.

Fulfilled by TikTok

FBT is the official in-house fulfillment service offered by TikTok Shop. With FBT, your products find a home in TikTok’s warehouses, and TikTok will handle the entire order fulfillment process and customer service.

With this fulfillment option, TikTok will partner with reliable carriers to ship your products to customers' doorstep.

FBT is a choice for sellers seeking a convenient and hands-free fulfillment solution tailored specifically for the TikTok sales channel.

Fulfill your TikTok orders with FBT
Fulfill your TikTok orders with FBT

Pros:

  • You will experience fast and reliable shipping service with same-day or next-day delivery.
  • TikTok offers built-in customer protection to keep your customers happy.
  • You can promote your products directly on TikTok, without having to go to other platforms like Google. This makes your items eligible for promotion within TikTok, reaching a larger audience.
  • You can access real-time data and insights into inventory and supply chain available through Seller Manage on the TikTok Shop system.

Cons:

  • FBT comes with fulfillment fees, which might be higher than self-fulfillment.
  • You will have less control over the shipping process and customer service.
  • Fulfilled by TikTok is now not available in some regions.

Third-party logistics (3PL)

If you opt not to use FBT, a third-party logistics partner (3PL) can step in. A 3PL takes care of storage, picking, packing, and shipping for your TikTok Shop orders, although without the exclusive benefits of Fulfilled by TikTok.

Partnering with 3PL to handle TikTok orders
Partnering with 3PL to handle TikTok orders

Pros:

  • A 3PL can adapt to your growing fulfillment demands as your business expands.
  • 3PLs bring valuable experience and know-how to handle intricate fulfillment needs efficiently.
  • You have the freedom to choose a 3PL that offers the specific services you require.

Cons:

  • Engaging 3PL services comes with fees, which may surpass the expenses associated with self-fulfillment.
  • Opting for a 3PL means relinquishing some control over the fulfillment process compared to managing it yourself.
  • Identifying the right 3PL partner is not easy, requiring effort to find a trustworthy and suitable match for your business.

Self-fulfillment

If you prefer a hands-on approach, you can independently fulfill your TikTok Shop orders without relying on a third party.

TikTok provides shipping labels, but the rest is up to you.You will have to do everything from storing inventory and packing orders to handing them off for last-mile delivery by the carrier.

Fulfilling TikTok orders yourself may be cost-effective but puts a burden on customer service
Fulfilling TikTok orders yourself may be cost-effective but puts a burden on customer service

Pros:

  • Self-fulfillment costs less by avoiding fulfillment fees.
  • You get complete control over the shipping process and customer service.
  • You have the flexibility to choose your preferred shipping carrier and packaging materials.

Cons:

  • Self-fulfillment can be time-consuming, especially with a high order volume or in sale peak seasons.
  • Self-fulfillment requires sufficient space and resources for storing and shipping.
  • Customer service responsibilities fall on you, handling all inquiries.

How Merchants Can Gain a Competitive Edge on TikTok Shop?

For those looking to leverage Fulfilled by TikTok, here are some strategies to effectively utilize it and stay ahead on TikTok Shop.

Offer a fast shipping experience

Sellers can provide express shipping options like same-day fulfillment and next-day premium delivery services through FBT. Fulfilled by TikTok grants you a chance to impress your customers with quick order fulfillment.

Run sale events

FBT helps you handle large order volumes, even during sudden demand spikes. So don't hesitate to plan flash sales to create a sudden boost in orders quickly. It's a fantastic way to quickly draw in new customers.

TikTok flash sale events can boost your sales in an instant
TikTok flash sale events can boost your sales in an instant

For an added boost, think about teaming up TikTok ads with a flash sale to enhance engagement and create a sense of urgency among your audience.

Set your shop apart with customized badging

On TikTok Shop, seller can jazz up their products with custom badges - those small icons next to their products. These badges can visually set your brand apart and jazz up unique selling points. You can use badges to highlight promotions, product certifications, as well as customer ratings.

Incorporate influencer marketing

Collaborating with popular TikTok influencers can massively boost your brand's visibility and interaction.

Influencers are pros at crafting engaging content showcasing your products, sharing reviews, or hosting live streams to shine a spotlight on your TikTok Shop. According to Forbes, a TikTok influencer could even make up to $500,000 per video. It’s a crazy number, isn't it?

But don't just look at the fame! Brands must pick influencers who vibe with their values and resonate with their target audience.

Examples of E-commerce Brands Succeeding with Fulfilled by TikTok

Since the launch of FBT in the UK, many TikTok Shop UK sellers have been giving it a spin, and the results have been pretty impressive.

The Beauty Crop

The Beauty Crop is a color cosmetics brand selling skincare and makeup, using natural ingredients for healthy living.

With 142k followers and high order volume after each live streaming on TikTok, they've seen some serious improvements since trying out FBT. Their sales volume shot up by 30%, shipping times dropped by 36%, and late dispatch rates fell by over 45%.

Nature Spell

Nature Spell is a small family-owned business dedicated to affordable and effective hair care. It has become the top Beauty Brand on TikTok in the UK, with its Rosemary Oil being the best-selling product. Partnering with GGEN Z TALENT, Nature Spell amassed over $174K in GMV in TikTok sales between October 2022 and January 2023.

However, with a surge in sales thereafter, the company found itself overwhelmed by order volumes, while focusing on their manufacturing. So, when FBT launched, they jumped on board, and it made a big difference for them.

FBE - TikTok Fulfillment Solution in Vietnam Market

TikTok Shop is like a boom in Vietnam. According to Metric, TikTok Shop has overtaken Lazada to become the second-largest e-commerce platform in Vietnam after Shopee, as of the second quarter of 2023.

Despite being a newcomer to the market in April 2022, TikTok Shop has experienced a remarkable surge in market share, jumping from 15.5% in Q1 2023 to 20% in Q2 2023.

While TikTok Shop is now the hottest online sales channel in Vietnam, FBT remains unavailable in the country. As a flourishing TikTok seller in Vietnam, managing a daily influx of products can be overwhelming.

It can leave you in a mess if you're only trying to focus on developing engaging content and forget the importance of order fulfillment.

But fear not, EFEX will lift you a hand. Let's go for Fulfillment by EFEX - FBE! Our FBE solution will help you handle TikTok Shop orders. With FBE, you're in for a treat:

  • Cost savings: Save up to 70% on operational fees, employee expenses, and firefighting efforts.
  • Seamless fulfillment: FBE manages the entire process, from storage to packing and shipping, all while meeting our SLA commitment. Achieve precision in order handling of up to 99.9%.
  • Faster delivery: Experience quicker and more efficient shipping, leading to a 50% improvement in delivery speeds, resulting in higher customer satisfaction and driving up your sales figures.
EFEX - best end-to-end order fulfillment solution in Vietnam
EFEX - best end-to-end order fulfillment solution in Vietnam

With our solution, you can focus on what you do best. So, if you're ready to take your TikTok Shop to the next level, why wait? Let EFEX be your trusted partner in success!

FAQs related to Tiktok Fulfillment

Why use FBT?

FBT helps sellers improve delivery times by offering next-day delivery and automated same-day order fulfillment until 7 PM Monday to Saturday.

Besides, sellers can also enhance customer satisfaction thanks to TikTok's instant messaging service and responsive customer support staff.

What fees are involved with FBT?

The 4 types of FBT fees you will have to pay include an order fulfillment fee, storage fee (free if inventory is less than 30 days), packaging material fee, and value-added service fee.

You can find pricing and details for FBT fees here.

Conclusion

TikTok has done a great job when stepping into the logistics sector with FBT. Fulfilled by TikTok gives sellers a competitive edge as TikTok shopping gains popularity day by day.

However, FBT isn't available everywhere. If your target market can't access it, go EFEX! With a wealth of experience and professionalism, EFEX allows you to level up your logistics for fulfilling TikTok Shop orders. Focus on what matters, and leave the worries about TikTok fulfillment behind.

avatar
Ngoc LeeNgoc Lee is an Content Creator Manager at EFEX. She wields her long-term expertise in Logistics and Supply Chain, harnessing her top-notch writing and research skills to bring incredibly valuable content. Whether you're a small startup or a well-established enterprise, Ngoc Lee is here to equip you with the essential knowledge of e-commerce, fulfillment, and all things business-related.