As TikTok Shop expands globally, pet supplies have become a lucrative category for cross-border sellers. However, strict regulations are in place to ensure animal welfare, biosecurity, and compliance with varying national laws.
Here's a concise guide to help you navigate these restrictions and operate compliantly🐾
Why Are Pet Supplies Restricted?
TikTok Shop's restrictions stem from three primary considerations:
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Animal Protection: Preventing the sale of prohibited species and ensuring ethical treatment.
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User Safety: Ensuring product quality to safeguard pet health.
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Cross-Border Compliance: Adhering to import and quarantine regulations of different countries (e.g., EU requires CE certification for pet foods).
Prohibited and Restricted Categories
Absolutely Prohibited Items
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Live Animals: All live creatures, including fertilized eggs.
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Medications/Vaccines: Prescription drugs, antibiotics, injectable dewormers.
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Medical Equipment: Professional tools like syringes and surgical instruments.
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Banned Foods: Snacks containing animal-derived ingredients (e.g., raw bones restricted in cross-border shipping).
Restricted Items (Require Special Qualifications)
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Pet Foods: Must provide health certificates and ingredient analysis reports from the country of origin.
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Smart Wearable Devices: Must comply with the destination country's radio certifications (e.g., FCC/RoHS).
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Grooming Tools: Electric clippers require safety certifications (e.g., UL/CE).
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Toys/Apparel: Must not use flammable materials and should pass EN71/ASTM tests.
Steps to Compliant Listings
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Pre-Qualification Check: Use TikTok Shop's Qualification Center to verify entry requirements for your target market.
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Title Optimization: Avoid sensitive terms like "Veterinary Use Only" to prevent triggering reviews.
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Ingredient Disclosure: For food items, clearly list ingredient percentages and potential allergens.
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Certification Display: Showcase relevant certifications (e.g., CE/FDA) in product images, ensuring they match the actual product.
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Logistics Planning: Choose logistics providers capable of temperature-controlled shipping for food and supplements.
Common Compliance Issues
Case 1: Cat Lecithin Ointment Removal
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Issue: Contains Vitamin E, classified as a medication in some countries.
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Solution: Reclassify under "Dietary Supplements" and provide necessary approvals.
Case 2: Hamster Exercise Ball Complaints
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Issue: Lack of ventilation holes, violating animal welfare standards.
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Solution: Redesign with proper ventilation and provide third-party safety test reports.
Advanced Operational Tips
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Localization: Cater to market preferences (e.g., organic products in Western markets, cost-effective grooming tools in Southeast Asia).
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Content Marketing: Utilize pet trial videos instead of simple product displays to boost conversion rates by over 40%.
FAQS
Q: Do decorative buttons on pet clothing require special certification?
A: Decorations smaller than 6mm don't need certification but should include warnings about potential detachment and recommend supervised use.
Q: How to appeal a wrongful violation?
A: Prepare the following: 1) Product images, 2) Test reports, 3) Ingredient lists/manuals (non-English documents need certified translations).
Q: How to apply for a whitelist for restricted categories?
A: Submit a "Category Activation Application" in the Seller Center; reviews typically take 3-5 business days.
NOTE: Starting Q3 2024, TikTok Shop implemented a pet supplies traceability system. Sellers are advised to embed QR codes in packaging to display production batches and quality inspection records.
By establishing a comprehensive risk control system encompassing product development, testing, certification, and content operations, sellers can effectively navigate the pet supplies category and achieve sustainable growth.