Manufacturers and distributors of lithium cells and batteries (both lithium metal and lithium ion types) being offered for transportation or sale
Manufacturers of lithium cells and batteries must ensure their products meet strict international safety testing standards before shipping them. They must keep detailed test records and make safety summaries available to customers and regulators on demand.
Requirements
Cells and batteries must pass UN Manual of Tests and Criteria testing (Revision 3, Amendment 1 or later)
Manufacturers must create and maintain test completion records for the life of the design plus one year
Manufacturers and distributors must provide test summaries including product name, manufacturer contact info, test date, and test lab details upon request
Button cells installed inside equipment are exempt from test summary requirements
Why it matters
Failure to comply can result in shipment delays, regulatory fines, and inability to legally sell or distribute lithium battery products.
Shippers and sellers packaging lithium cells or batteries for transportation, whether packed alone or with equipment
When shipping lithium cells or batteries, you must place them in inner packaging that completely encloses them, then pack them in specific approved outer containers that meet Packing Group II safety standards. If shipping by aircraft, you can only include the minimum number of cells or batteries needed to power the equipment, plus two spare sets maximum.
Requirements
Cells or batteries must be completely enclosed in inner packaging first
Outer packaging must be metal, wooden, fiberboard, plastic, or composite boxes/drums/jerricans meeting Packing Group II requirements (49 CFR Part 178)
For air transport: limit contents to the minimum needed to power equipment plus two spare sets only
When packed with equipment, use either a strong rigid outer container or place directly in the approved outer packaging with the equipment
Why it matters
Non-compliance with lithium battery shipping requirements can result in rejected shipments, transportation delays, fines, or hazmat violations that impact your ability to sell and deliver products with batteries.
Anyone shipping lithium cells or batteries, including units already built into equipment (such as power banks, laptops, or tools), in the United States
This federal shipping regulation sets strict packaging and containment rules for lithium cells and batteries being transported, especially those already inside equipment or in large quantities. The rules aim to prevent fires, short circuits, and accidental activation during shipment by requiring proper isolation, protection from physical damage, and secure packing.
Requirements
Lithium cells/batteries in equipment must be protected by strong outer packaging and secured to prevent shifting or accidental activation
Spare batteries packed with equipment must be in separate, compliant inner packaging that completely encloses them
Heavy batteries (12 kg+) with impact-resistant casings may use crates or pallets instead of standard packages, but terminals cannot support weight of other items stacked on top
For air transport, multiple pieces of equipment in the same package must be separated to prevent contact with each other
Why it matters
Non-compliance with lithium shipping regulations can result in shipment rejection, fines, and liability for fire or safety incidents; TikTok Shop sellers offering electronics or batteries must follow these rules to legally ship products.
Anyone shipping lithium cells or batteries (lithium ion or lithium metal) by air, highway, or rail in the United States
This rule sets out size limits, labeling requirements, and packaging restrictions for shipping lithium cells and batteries. Depending on the type and watt-hour rating of the battery, different rules apply—smaller batteries have fewer restrictions, while larger ones require specific warning labels and may be prohibited on passenger aircraft.
Requirements
Lithium ion cells cannot exceed 20 Wh; lithium ion batteries cannot exceed 100 Wh (unless highway/rail only, then up to 300 Wh)
Lithium metal cells cannot exceed 1 g lithium content; lithium metal batteries cannot exceed 2 g (unless highway/rail only, then up to 25 g)
Packages must display a warning label such as "LITHIUM ION BATTERIES—FORBIDDEN FOR TRANSPORT ABOARD PASSENGER AIRCRAFT" or "CARGO AIRCRAFT ONLY" unless the package weighs 5 kg or less
For highway/rail-only shipments, mark packages "LITHIUM BATTERIES—FORBIDDEN FOR TRANSPORT ABOARD AIRCRAFT AND VESSEL"
Marking letters must be at least 6 mm high (or 12 mm on packages over 30 kg) with contrasting background color
Why it matters
Violating these rules can result in dangerous goods violations, shipment delays, flight refusals, and serious federal penalties; proper labeling and sizing are critical to legal compliance.
Who this applies to
Anyone shipping damaged or defective lithium cells or batteries; medical device manufacturers and distributors transporting replacement lithium batteries for medical devices
This federal regulation sets strict packaging and labeling requirements for shipping damaged or defective lithium batteries. It also allows limited exceptions for medical device batteries on passenger aircraft if specific safety conditions are met.
Requirements
Damaged/defective lithium batteries must be labeled on the outer package in characters at least 12mm (0.47 inches) high
Medical device batteries may be shipped on passenger aircraft (up to two units) if the destination lacks daily cargo aircraft service and batteries are individually packed, placed in rigid outer packaging, and protected against short circuits
All damaged battery packages must use approved rigid outer packaging (metal, plastic, or plywood)
Non-conforming lithium cells or batteries require prior approval from the Associate Administrator before shipment
Why it matters
Failure to comply with these packaging and labeling requirements can result in shipment rejection, regulatory fines, and safety incidents; compliance is essential for legally shipping lithium batteries domestically.
All TikTok Shop sellers handling customer refund, return, cancellation, and replacement requests
TikTok Shop measures how fast you respond to customer requests like refunds, returns, cancellations, and replacements. Your average response time is tracked daily and shared publicly on your Shop Performance Score. Responding within 24 hours encourages repeat purchases.
Requirements
Aftersales Handling Time measures average time for Request Approval Time and Item Inspection Time
Sellers responding within 24 hours see better customer repeat purchase rates
Handling time is evaluated daily and published on Shop Performance Score page
Use auto-approval tools to speed up your response time
Why it matters
Slow aftersales handling damages customer satisfaction and repeat purchase likelihood, directly impacting your shop's performance rating and sales potential.
All TikTok Shop sellers who receive customer after-sales requests for refunds, returns, cancellations, or replacements
After-Sales Handling Time measures how quickly you respond to customer refund, return, cancellation, and replacement requests. TikTok calculates your average response time over the last 60 days based on the time you spend reviewing and approving requests (or inspecting returned items). This metric directly affects your overall Seller Performance Score.
Requirements
Respond to after-sales requests within 24 hours for a healthy score
Your handling time is calculated from Request Approval Time (initial decision) and Item Inspection Time (if a return is approved)
Only requests you manually review or set auto-approval rules for count toward your metric—system auto-approvals do not
Exceptions that won't count: requests reviewed by TikTok, investigations, and seller-initiated cancellations
Why it matters
A faster After-Sales Handling Time improves your Seller Performance Score, which influences your shop's visibility and customer trust, while also increasing the likelihood of repeat purchases.
All TikTok Shop sellers selling physical products in the US
TikTok Shop requires all sellers of physical products in the US to ship orders to customers using one of three methods: your own logistics provider, a TikTok-approved provider, or TikTok's fulfillment service. You must follow strict shipping timelines, use proper packaging, and avoid prohibited behaviors like sending empty packages or unpaid postage.
Requirements
Choose one of three shipping options: Seller Shipping, TikTok Shipping, or Fulfilled by TikTok (FBT)
Meet Service Level Agreement deadlines to avoid order auto-cancellation or late delivery penalties
Use adequate protection and proper packaging materials for all orders
Do not ship empty packages, wrong products, unpaid postage, or counterfeit labels
Why it matters
Missing shipping deadlines triggers auto-cancellation and damages your seller rating, while improper shipping practices can result in account penalties or suspension.
