Summary
The updated policy clarifies and reorganizes requirements for expiration date labeling and shelf life management, emphasizing clear, accurate expiration dates on applicable products and sufficient remaining shelf life upon delivery, with no substantive changes to enforcement or penalties.
Why it matters
Sellers must ensure compliance with clear expiration date labeling and shelf life standards to avoid enforcement actions and maintain product quality, but the update mainly refines existing rules without adding new restrictions or penalties.
Recommended action
Review current product listings and shipping practices to confirm expiration dates are clearly labeled and products have sufficient remaining shelf life per updated guidelines; update product images and labels if needed to maintain compliance.
Expiration Date Labeling and Shelf Life Requirements 05/18/2026 Key Points: This document outlines the requirements for expiration date labeling and shelf life management on Tik Tok Shop.
Certain categories must comply with specific expiration date labeling requirements.
Any product with a shelf life, or that loses effectiveness over time, is considered subject to expiration, even if an expiration date is not displayed
Affects: Seller, Listing
All Food, Beverage, and Dietary Supplement Products for Human or Animal Consumption Shelf-Stable Food and Beverages Fresh and Frozen Food Products Dietary Supplements Pet Supplies All Personal Care Products with Drug Labeling Beauty and Personal Care Products, such as sunscreen, deodorants, antiperspirants, hair loss treatments, acne products, nasal cleaning/treatment solutions, and teeth whitening products.
Medical Devices Medical Devices and Medical Supplies, such as medical masks, personal protective equipment (PPE) masks, blood glucose monitors, and glucose control solutions.
Remaining Shelf Life for Expiration-Dated Products Sellers must ensure that products shipped to customers have a sufficient and reasonable remaining shelf life for use or consumption.
For Fulfilled by Tik Tok (FBT) requirements, see FBT Product Packaging Policy.
Shipment Shelf Life Reference Sellers must ensure products have enough remaining shelf life for use upon delivery.
The following can be used as a general reference: Snacks: 90 days Instant Food: 180 days Dry or Canned Pet Food and Treats: 180 days Shelf-Stable Milk & Dairy: 270 days Pantry Essentials: 270 days Beverages, Tea, and Beverage Powders: 270 days Dietary Supplements (Human/Animal): 365 days Personal Care Products with Drug Labeling: 365 days Beauty & Personal Care Topicals: 365 days Medical Devices: 730 days Example of a lot code and expiration date: Enforcement Actions and Appeals We regularly review your shop’s compliance with this document and our Product Quality Policy.
Expiration Date Labeling and Shelf Life Expiration date labeling refers to the requirement for products to display a clear and accurate date indicating when the product should no longer be used or consumed.
Shelf life refers to the period during which a product remains safe, effective, and suitable for use under normal storage conditions.
Products subject to expiration must include appropriate expiration date labeling and be managed to ensure sufficient remaining shelf life at the time of delivery.
Products that Require Expiration Date Labeling The following products must include a clearly labeled expiration date.
Additional requirements may apply by category (see links below).
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Certain categories must comply with specific expiration date labeling requirements.
Expiration Date Labeling and Shelf Life Requirements 05/18/2026 Key Points: This document outlines the requirements for expiration date labeling and shelf life management on Tik Tok Shop.
Any product with a shelf life, or that loses effectiveness over time, is considered subject to expiration, even if an expiration date is not displayed on the product packaging.
All Food, Beverage, and Dietary Supplement Products for Human or Animal Consumption Shelf-Stable Food and Beverages Fresh and Frozen Food Products Dietary Supplements Pet Supplies All Personal Care Products with Drug Labeling Beauty and Personal Care Products, such as sunscreen, deodorants, antiperspirants, hair loss treatments, acne products, nasal cleaning/treatment solutions, and teeth whitening products.
Medical Devices Medical Devices and Medical Supplies, such as medical masks, personal protective equipment (PPE) masks, blood glucose monitors, and glucose control solutions.
Remaining Shelf Life for Expiration-Dated Products Sellers must ensure that products shipped to customers have a sufficient and reasonable remaining shelf life for use or consumption.
For Fulfilled by Tik Tok (FBT) requirements, see FBT Product Packaging Policy.
The following can be used as a general reference: Snacks: 90 days Instant Food: 180 days Dry or Canned Pet Food and Treats: 180 days Shelf-Stable Milk & Dairy: 270 days Pantry Essentials: 270 days Beverages, Tea, and Beverage Powders: 270 days Dietary Supplements (Human/Animal): 365 days Personal Care Products with Drug Labeling: 365 days Beauty & Personal Care Topicals: 365 days Medical Devices: 730 days Example of a lot code and expiration date: Enforcement Actions and Appeals We regularly review your shop’s compliance with
This applies even if the expiration date isn’t on the product packaging.
Lot numbers cannot be used instead of expiration dates.
The following products must have an expiration date on the label: Shelf-Stable Food and Beverages: Refer to the Shelf-Stable Food and Beverage Requirements.
Fresh and Frozen Food Products:
Refer to the Fresh and Frozen Packaged Food Products Requirements.
Dietary Supplements:
Refer to the Dietary Supplements Requirements.
Pet Supplies:
Refer to the Pet Supplies Requirements.
Refer to the Beauty and Personal Care Products Requirements and Guidelines For Listing Beauty And Personal Care Products.
Refer to the Medical Devices and Medical Supplies Requirements.
Enforcement Actions and Appeals We regularly review your shop’s compliance with this document and our Product Quality Policy.
Best Practices for Expiration Date Labeling and Shelf Life Ship products with enough shelf life left so customers can use them.
For example, a supplement with 240 daily servings should arrive with more than 240 days before it expires.
Food, drinks, and similar items must be lot-controlled.
They should have enough time for customers to use them after delivery.