In a massive victory for seller independence and profit margins, TikTok Shop has abruptly reversed its controversial "Closed Loop" logistics mandate just days before it was set to take effect.
If you have been scrambling to sever ties with your current 3PL or stressing over the projected cost increases of Fulfillment by TikTok (FBT), you can officially breathe a sigh of relief. Following an unprecedented wave of seller backlash regarding severe operational disruptions and margin compression, the platform has pulled the plug on the rollout.
The controversial policy, which would have forced sellers to abandon independent fulfillment networks and exclusively use TikTok Logistics, was originally scheduled for a strict phase-in period between February 25 and March 31, 2026.
As of February 18, those deadlines are entirely void. TikTok Shop issued a definitive official statement confirming the pause:
"Seller Shipping remains unchanged — all deadlines are not in effect."
Why Did TikTok Back Down?
The mandate was intended to standardize shipping speeds and challenge Amazon Prime's dominance, but it severely underestimated the complexity of merchant supply chains. The reversal was driven by two massive friction points:
- Cost Prohibitions: Sellers operating on razor-thin margins realized that forced integration into TikTok's logistics network would wipe out their profitability, leading many to threaten an exodus from the platform.
- Operational Chaos: Brands with established, highly optimized 3PL partnerships (especially those selling bulky goods, perishable items, or multi-channel inventory) proved that a one-size-fits-all logistics model was impossible to adopt on such a short timeline.
What This Means for Your Business Today
This is an immediate, green light to maintain your current operations.
- Keep Your 3PL: You are no longer required to migrate inventory to TikTok's warehouses. Independent fulfillment is completely safe.
- Control Your Margins: You retain the power to negotiate your own shipping rates and choose the carriers that make the most financial sense for your specific product categories.
- Multi-Channel Flexibility: You can continue fulfilling TikTok Shop orders from the same warehouses you use for Amazon, Shopify, and Walmart, keeping your inventory pools consolidated.
Now that you have full control over your fulfillment strategy again, it is the perfect time to optimize it. Linktrans provides specialized, highly efficient 3PL and direct-injection logistics services that meet TikTok's strict SLA requirements without sacrificing your profit margins. Contact us today to bulletproof your independent fulfillment network.
26 Feb, 2026
