How to Access Your TikTok Shop from Another Country

TikTok Shop was hugely popular this 2024 holiday season. Shoppers discovering new products and deals increased the platform’s shopping activities by a massive 165% (year-on-year during Black Friday and Cyber Monday).

Speaking of Black Friday, TikTok shop achieved over $100 million in sales in a single day. This is three times more than Black Friday 2023.

It is clear that in a short time, TikTok Shop has become an incredibly well-received e-commerce platform. Content creators love it. Businesses love it.

If you haven’t used TikTok Shop yet, you are missing out. You can create your own shop to sell goods and services. You can also use the platform to buy unique products. Even if you are traveling or moving outside of the U.S., you can still access TikTok Shop.

What Exactly Is TikTok Shop?

TikTok Shop is TikTok’s integrated e-commerce platform. It allows users to find and buy products and services within the app. TikTok Shop is doing so well because it streamlines the buying process. Users do not have to leave the app to buy something.

However, the TikTok shop is only available in certain countries. Its features may also vary depending on where you find yourself. This is why you may find it difficult to access the platform while overseas, especially if the e-commerce feature is not available in the country you are visiting.

Challenges Accessing TikTok Shop While Overseas

If you are trying to access your shop from another country, you may experience the following:

• Regional restrictions

  TikTok Shop may not be available in the country you are visiting.

• Payment issues

  Your shop transactions may need a currency or payment method that is not region-supported.

• Account access challenges

  The TikTok algorithm is likely to detect the change in your location. If this happens, your TikTok app’s content and features will be adjusted accordingly. This might limit your TikTok shop access.

• Shipping limitations

  Some of the items listed in your shop may not ship internationally.

Accessing TikTok Shop From Another Country

Fortunately, there are strategies you can use to access TikTok Shop while abroad:

• Use a paid VPN service

  VPN services mask your IP address so that it appears as though you are browsing from the country you are in. Remember that this will be noticeably harder to achieve if you use a free VPN.

  
  

  Your best bet is to shell out a few dollars for a paid VPN, as this is one of the most effective ways to access your TikTok shop from another country.

  
  

  Ensure that the VPN you choose is reputable before installing the app on your phone. Once installed, connect to a U.S. server. Open your TikTok app and check that the shop features are available.

  
  

  Ideally, you want to choose a VPN with a high-speed server to avoid lagging issues. Also, update your VPN app regularly to ensure it keeps working properly.

  
  

  It is important to note that using a VPN to access region-locked features may violate TikTok’s terms of service.

• Update your TikTok app settings

  Set your TikTok settings for your home region. Open the app and navigate to Settings and Privacy – Manage Account. Check that your region is set to the U.S. If not, set it to the U.S.

  
  

  As with your VPN app, you should update your TikTok app whenever an update is available. If you still find it difficult to access TikTok Shop after changing regions, try to re-login to your account.

• Check that cross-border payments are enabled

  TikTok Shop may require a specific payment method, depending on your location. Your cross-border payment option should be activated to complete transactions.

  
  

  If you want to buy something from TikTok Shop, link a credit or debit card that supports international payments. You can also opt for a digital wallet or PayPal.

  
  

  If cross-border payments are enabled, it should also make it easier for your customers to buy from you while they are in another region.

  
  

  Remember that using local payment methods in another country will be difficult if they do not work with the TikTok Shop system.

• Use a U.S.-based mobile number

  TikTok Shop’s verification process usually relies on your registered phone number. While overseas, it may help if you use a U.S.-based mobile number.

  
  

  Ensure your TikTok account is linked to this number. You can set up a virtual U.S. number using a local SIM abroad via Google Voice or Skype.

• Verify shipping options

  Even if you can access TikTok Shop overseas, not all products may be available for shipping.

  
  

  If you want a product shipped to your location, check its shipping status on the shopping platform. Alternatively, you may be able to use a package forwarding service to receive products in the U.S. and forward them to your location abroad.

  Doing this will, however, increase the costs associated with your purchase.

Common Troubleshooting Issues

Despite using all these strategies, you may still encounter issues with TikTok Shop while overseas.

For example, you may not be able to access TikTok Shop features. In this case, ensure your VPN is connected to the right server and update your TikTok app.

If you have an issue with declined payments, make sure your card supports international transactions. You can use PayPal or another supported payment method if it does not.

If you want to buy a product that is unavailable for shipping, contact the seller to inquire about an exception. If there is no way to get it shipped, consider a package forwarding service.

What to Keep in Mind

If TikTok Shop is available in the country you are visiting, you may not need a VPN. However, using a U.S.-based server through a VPN means you can continuously access U.S.-based features.

VPNs are legal in the U.S., but they may not be in the country you are visiting. Check the local regulations before using one.

Accessing TikTok Shop From Abroad Is Not Impossible

These practical steps will help you access TikTok Shop from most places worldwide. So, while traveling or staying elsewhere for extended periods, you can still enjoy uninterrupted access to TikTok Shop.

This means shopping and managing your own products and services, no matter where you find yourself in the world.