January 2026. TikTok is forcing all USPS labels through their system.

No exceptions. No workarounds.

If you ship TikTok Shop orders via USPS, you create those labels inside TikTok Shipping. That's the new rule.

But here's where it gets interesting...

TikTok says this is about "stopping counterfeit postage" and "ensuring compliance with U.S. federal law."

Sure….

The real story? TikTok wants control. Same playbook Amazon ran years ago. And honestly? I can't even blame them.

If you use USPS:

Everything goes through TikTok Shipping. Period.

If you use UPS, FedEx, or DHL: Carry on. Nothing changes. Yet.

Here's where Amazon sellers need to pay attention.

For a lot of TikTok Shop sellers—especially those shipping small, light products—USPS is the only affordable option.

Let me show you what I mean:

Current setup (hypothetical small seller):

After January 2026 (TikTok Shipping rates):

That's $2,400-4,800 per year in additional shipping costs.

On thin margins? That's the difference between profitable and not.

This isn't just about USPS.

This is step one.

Already happened (December 15, 2025): Cross-border sellers must now use FBT or TikTok Shipping exclusively. No more seller shipping. Done.

Coming soon (my prediction): US local sellers will get the same treatment. Maybe not 2026. Maybe 2027. But it's coming.

TikTok is building a logistics moat. Just like Amazon did.

Before you panic, let's talk about Fulfilled by TikTok.

Current FBT pricing:

What's included:

The real benefit nobody talks about:

When you use FBT, logistics problems don't count against your seller score.

Late delivery? Not your fault. Package damaged? Not your fault. Customer says "never arrived"? Not. Your. Fault.

For Amazon sellers who've been suspended over shipping issues they couldn't control? This is huge.

Scenario: $25 product, 8 oz, $10 COGS

Self-fulfillment (current):

FBT (after January 2026 rates):

Wait, what?

FBT is actually cheaper than most 3PLs for single units. And you get the 3-day badge. And the score protection.

"But I lose control..."

Yep. Same thing Amazon sellers said about FBA in 2012.

How'd that work out?

Here's what Amazon sellers tell me in private:

"I don't want to be dependent on another platform's fulfilment."

"What if TikTok raises fees?"

"I've seen this movie before."

Yeah. You've seen this movie. That's exactly why you should be paying attention.

The pattern:

We're between steps 2 and 3 right now.

For now, if you are using Amazon MCF, you should be fine…. for now.

If you're cross-border: You don't have a choice. Start with FBT or TikTok Shipping now. Like, this week.

If you're US local using USPS: You have until December 31, 2025 to figure this out. Test TikTok Shipping. Run the numbers on FBT. Compare to switching carriers entirely.

If you're US local using UPS/FedEx: You're fine for now. But start testing FBT anyway. Because when (not if) the mandate expands, you don't want to be scrambling.

Everyone: Stop treating TikTok Shop like a "side channel." The platforms that treat you like an afterthought are the ones that hurt you most.

Quick note: If you have a warehouse in Greater LA, East Coast, or Texas, check out CBT.

Enrolment reopens January 5, 2026.

TikTok is tightening control over fulfilment.

That's not good or bad—it's just reality.

The sellers who win will be the ones who:

Six months from now, half the sellers complaining on Reddit will have adapted and moved on.

The other half will still be posting "TikTok is killing small sellers" threads.

Which half are you in?

Thanks for reading

- Paul 👊

PS: Big thanks to everyone that congratulated us on the acquisition.