Some products sold through TikTok Shop require special approval before they can go live. These are called restricted products. If you’re listing items in certain categories like kids or baby products, you’ll need to complete a few extra steps first.
What is a restricted product?
Restricted products are items that TikTok Shop allows to publish only after a seller submits Supporting Documents and Mandatory Product Attributes. These items usually require proof of safety, authenticity, or regulatory compliance.
- Kids’ Fashion
- Baby & Maternity
- Toys & Hobby
You can still sell these products—but only once your application is approved.
How to apply for category qualification
Visit the TikTok Seller Center to begin creating a product for TikTok Shop. You don’t actually need to create a product—this process simply grants access to the category request.
- Log in to TikTok Seller Center. Go to Products → Manage Products → Add new product.
- Select a category from the dropdown menu.
- Click Apply now (refer to the image below).
- In the new window, complete the Add Category Authorization steps by filling out the following fields:
- Seller Self-Identification (All sellers): Select “Reseller”.
- Product Photos of Food Labeling (All sellers): Upload your mockups.
- Proof of Purchase (Resellers only): Upload your order invoice
- Once done, click Submit.
- After submission, you can exit the product creation process without saving.
After submitting your application, allow TikTok time for review. Check the Category qualification page in TikTok Seller Center to confirm approval. Once approved, you can start listing products on TikTok Shop US.
What if my product gets rejected?
If your listing is marked as Restricted or gets rejected, you’ll receive a notification in your Seller Center inbox. You can reapply after correcting any missing or incorrect documents.
You can also check the status of your application in Settings → My Account → Qualification Center → Category Qualification.
Learn more about what to do if your category application is rejected.
Where to find more details
For detailed information on category qualification requirements for restricted products, including guidance on necessary documentation, check out our dedicated article.
To make sure you’re always aligned with the latest TikTok Shop policies, we also recommend exploring the TikTok Shop Academy. There, you can easily find policy updates and resources specific to your selling category.
| Category | Article on TikTok Shop Academy |
| Kids' Fashion | Documents required to sell Kids' Fashion Products |
| Baby & Maternity | Documents required to sell Baby and Maternity Products |
| Toys & Hobby | Documents required to sell Toys and Hobby Products |