TikTok Shop Verification in the U.S. for non-residents Isn’t Simple—Here’s What You Need to Know.
Launching on TikTok Shop as a non-resident isn’t just about forming a U.S. LLC and registering an account but meeting critical verification requirements. Every step involves legal and regulatory considerations, from forming the right U.S. LLC to navigating TikTok’s demand for a Primary Business Representative and UBO verification. Getting it wrong can lead to costly delays or even account suspension.
This guide outlines the key TikTok Shop verification requirements you’ll need to address—but every business is different, and the stakes are high. Here’s what you should know before getting started.
1. Compliance Starts with the Right U.S. LLC and Tax Plan
TikTok Shop success begins with your U.S. entity and tax plan. Your decisions here will shape your ability to open a U.S. bank account, verify your business, and meet TikTok’s compliance requirements.
- Choose the right entity type and bank combination: Avoid single-member LLCs using platforms like Mercury Bank, which require a U.S. person.
- Select the best state for your business: Tax obligations and operating costs vary by state. Will this be owned by your existing company that sells on Amazon or Shopify? Should it be the same U.S. LLC that is on your Amazon account? What are the risks to your Amazon account if your TikTok account is in the same U.S. LLC?
- Match your LLC address with banking requirements to avoid delays: This is the most overlooked time and money drain. Suppose you don’t get verified (which is happening more often) by Relayfi or Mercury in most cases. In that case, it is almost impossible to make changes to your account to override their financial decision.
Mistakes at this stage can ripple through the entire process, causing unnecessary verification issues or delays.
2. The Role of the Primary Business Representative
TikTok Shop requires every seller to appoint a Primary Business Representative who meets strict qualifications:
- Must be U.S.-based with valid identification (driver’s license or passport).
- Requires a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
- Key point: It is NOT required to hold ownership in your business but acts as a critical compliance contact.
- Updated from TikTok: What most do not know is that once you choose a U.S. primary business representative, you can not change it! The only way to change that person is to close your account and open a new one! This means you will lose all your TikTok data from your existing account. Think carefully before randomly selecting a service from Fiverr or anywhere else to set up your TikTok Shop account. Finally, TikTok Shop limits the number of accounts the same U.S. primary business representative can be on, so don’t be surprised if your account is rejected for some unknown reason; this might be it.
Choosing the wrong representative or overlooking their importance can lead to account setup issues (so choose wisely).
3. Ultimate Beneficial Owners (UBOs): What TikTok Expects
If your business has individuals holding 25% or more ownership, they must be declared Ultimate Beneficial Owners (UBOs).
- UBOs do not need to be U.S. residents but must provide a valid passport for verification. This impacts U.S. banking options and foreign ownership options.
- TikTok may request an SSN or ITIN for UBOs (an issue for non-residents who may not otherwise need an ITIN but may come in handy, similar to Stripe requiring an ITIN once your sales are above $500K
Compliance with TikTok Shop requirements involves much more than checking boxes. Every step, from U.S. LLC formation to selecting the right representative and verifying UBOs, must align with your business goals and platform regulations.
Our team specializes in full-service support, from the U.S. tax plan and U.S. LLC formation to guidance on setting up your TikTok Shop account through this complex process with our comprehensive DFY packages. Book a free discovery call today to ensure your TikTok Shop setup is done right from the start.
