Field Guide / Chapter 01

Onboarding.

From an empty account to your first sale: what TikTok asks for, where each setting lives, and the caps every new shop starts under.

Register, verify the business, set up tax, bank and shipping, and link your TikTok account. New shops start on probation.

11 stepsFirst two openSources: TikTok Shop Seller University; Seller Center navigationLast checked Sep 30, 2026

Read this first

What trips brands up.

Three places onboarding stalls. Each one links to the step that fixes it.

  1. 01
    Names that don't match the ID.Step 1.5: Business details and owners
  2. 02
    A phone or email another shop already uses.Step 1.3: Sign up
  3. 03
    Leaving the W-9 for later.Step 1.8: Tax, bank and warehouse

1.1

From signup to first sale#

Seven stops take a US brand from an empty account to its first ad. Each one has its own page in this guide.

  1. Register: seller-us.tiktok.com › Sign up
  2. Verify: business details during signup; W-9 and bank right after (step 1.8)
  3. Ship: Logistics › Warehouse & shipping
  4. Approve: category and brand in the Qualification Center
  5. List: Products › Add products
  6. Promote (Promotions, Campaigns): Shop › Promotions and Marketing › Campaigns
  7. Advertise: Marketing › Shop ads › GMV Max
See the Sep 10 change

Source: TikTok Shop Seller University; menu names from the Sep 2026 Seller Center navigationLast checked Sep 30, 2026

1.2

Have these ready before you register#

What TikTok asks for depends on your business type. Gather it first and signup goes in one sitting.

Individual or sole proprietorCorporation or partnership
18+ and living in the USEIN, legal business name and US address
US passport, driver license, state ID or green cardEvery owner with 25%+ (UBO): ID, date of birth, address
SSN last 4 (or ITIN)Primary representative: ID and SSN last 4
Proof of address: utility bill, bank or card statementBusiness bank account in the company name
Bank account in your nameTax form: W-9

Individual or sole proprietor

  • 18+ and living in the US
  • US passport, driver license, state ID or green card
  • SSN last 4 (or ITIN)
  • Proof of address: utility bill, bank or card statement
  • Bank account in your name

Corporation or partnership

  • EIN, legal business name and US address
  • Every owner with 25%+ (UBO): ID, date of birth, address
  • Primary representative: ID and SSN last 4
  • Business bank account in the company name
  • Tax form: W-9
Checklist by business type. Both types file a W-9.

Source: TikTok Shop Seller University, registration guides (May–Sep 2026)Last checked Sep 30, 2026

1.3

Sign upIn the complete guide

Request access for the complete guide

Nine steps in this chapter (1.3 to 1.11) are in the complete guide. We review every request and reply personally.

Request access

What's in the complete guide

  1. 1.4Pick your business type
  2. 1.5Business details and owners
  3. 1.6Shop information
  4. 1.7Review and submit
  5. 1.8Tax, bank and warehouse
  6. 1.9Pick a shipping option
  7. 1.11New shops start on probation

Independent guide by FreedomLoud. Seller Center changes often; if a menu doesn't match your screen, check what changed.