How to Get Free Samples on TikTok Shop

As of November 1, 2026, based on the TikTok Shop US Academy (Guide to Samples: Free and Refundable, dated 09/24/2026, and How to set up and manage samples, dated 07/16/2026). Sample limits change, so check Manage Samples in your Creator Center for your current numbers.

Free samples vs. refundable samples

TikTok Shop has two sample types.

• Free samples. You request a product at no cost and keep it. The seller pays for the product, shipping and tax. The seller must approve your request. You need sales on TikTok Shop in the last 120 days.
• Refundable samples. You buy the product first. No seller approval is needed. You get a full refund, including shipping and tax, once your content drives the seller's sales goal, usually 1 to 3 orders, within 120 days of receiving it. Starting September 1, 2026, you also earn commission on refundable sample orders placed through your affiliate link.

Your free sample limit is set by your creator level and updated monthly. Your sample score, based on your last 30 days, decides how much of that limit you can use. Refundable samples do not count toward your free sample limit.

How to request a free sample

1. Open Creator Center and go to the Product Marketplace.
2. Turn on the Free Sample filter. Eligible products show a Free Sample label or a Get Sample button.
3. Open the product and tap Get free sample, then Request from seller.
4. Choose the size or variation, and confirm your contact and shipping details.
5. Agree to post content about the product.
6. Track the request under Manage Samples in the Creator Center toolkit.

You can also get free samples through a seller's Collab Invite or an agency collaboration. You can request one of a given product from a single seller. Multi-SKU Sampling lets you request extra variations of the same product. If you withdraw a request, you can reapply right away. If a request is disapproved, expires or is canceled, you can reapply after 30 days.

How sellers approve samples

Sellers set up samples in Affiliate Center.

1. Open Collaboration. Any creator who meets the seller's rules can request a sample. The seller turns on the free sample toggle for a product and sets the sample quantity and request period. These requests are reviewed by hand. Sellers can filter by tags like follower count and approve or reject in bulk.
2. Target Collaboration. The seller invites specific creators. When creating the invite, the seller can turn on automatic approval, which approves requests from invited creators and moves them straight to Ready to Ship.
3. Creator requirements. On the Sample Settings page, sellers can set minimums for follower count, average views per video, 30-day sales volume and estimated post rate.

Sellers can approve, reject or ignore any free sample request. If a seller does not review a request within 7 days, it is canceled automatically and your limit is restored.

Shipping and what happens after you receive a sample

Shipping. After approving, the seller has 7 days to ship from Seller Center by creating a label or adding tracking. Your request shows Awaiting Shipment, then Shipped. If the seller does not ship in time, the request is removed and your limit is restored.

Posting. You have 14 days from receiving a free sample to post one of these:

1. A public shoppable short video with the product link, kept up for at least 3 days.
2. A LIVE of at least 10 minutes with the sample product pinned.

TikTok Shop sends reminders 3 days and 1 day before your window closes. If you need more time, you can request one 7-day extension per sample. Sellers are not told about extension requests. If the item arrives defective, you can file one appeal per sample. If the product sells out, is removed or is under review, the content requirement pauses.

What happens if you don't post

• The sample is marked overdue and keeps using your free sample limit until you post. You can still post late.
• Your sample fulfillment rate drops. Sellers can see this rate and may reject your future requests.
• A low posting rate can cost you access to free samples for a time, and can affect sample promotions and sample coupons.
• Repeatedly missing deadlines can mean fewer sample opportunities or removal from the program.

How to improve your approval odds

Sellers screen creators on a few things TikTok lists in its seller guidance:

• Post every sample on time. Sellers check your estimated post rate and fulfillment rate.
• Build a sales record in the category. Sellers look at your GMV and items sold in the last 30 days, and past sales in their category.
• Post shoppable content consistently. Steady shoppable videos or LIVEs with solid average views help.
• Match the product to your audience. Sellers check whether your followers' age and gender fit the product.
• Make your profile clear. Relevant products in your showcase and shopping keywords in your bio make it easier for sellers to see the fit.
• Request products you will actually post about. Every free request uses part of your limit until you post.

If you do not qualify for free samples yet, refundable samples need no seller approval and are a way to start building sales.

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