The Email That Changes Everything (direct answer first)
If you’re staring at a violation warning at 8:47 PM on a Friday with 47 orders still “Awaiting Shipment,” you’re in the right place. Maybe your LDR just crossed 4.3%, or you woke up to “Account Suspended” and revenue dropped from $73K/month to zero.
What matters right now: the sellers who kept operating all followed the same steps in the same order. Your next 48 hours decide whether you’re still selling next week. Let’s fix this, fast.
Opening Triage: Which path applies to me? (read first ~90 seconds)
Identify your crisis:
90-Second Action Checklist
Screenshot your current Account Health/warning email (timestamp visible).
Open Seller Center → check LDR% and VTR% (many regions cite 4% and 95%).
Count pending “Awaiting Shipment” orders and note dispatch deadlines (often 2 business days; US excludes Sat/Sun + federal holidays).
Note violation points and milestones (12 / 24 / 36 / 48). The US reset is commonly cited as 180 days.
Estimate revenue at risk (monthly ÷ 30 × likely days down).
Start monitoring: turn on countdown alerts (T-12 / T-4) so nothing slips while you assemble the appeal.
Why this matters: Dispatch is measured against business-day rules with strict cutoffs. A single miss in peak can push LDR over 4% and trigger warnings or limits (classic TikTok shop suspended late dispatch risk).
🎯 If You Only Do Three Things:
Export your order list NOW (Seller Center → Orders → Export) You’ll need it for appeals even if not suspended yet
Count what’s due in the next 12 hours Those orders determine if you survive today
Set phone alarms for 9 AM, 2 PM, 6 PM, and 9 PM Check and ship at these times daily until safe
These three actions prevent most violations, even when things “look fine.”
⏰ While you handle this emergency manually…
523 sellers have already secured automated protection
Get the emergency toolkit + founding priority (Oct 15)
SECTION A (CODE RED): How do I recover if I’m already suspended?
Direct answer: Fix the root operational cause first, then submit a tight appeal with timestamps and a prevention plan. Keep on-time dispatch rolling while the case is reviewed (TikTok shop account suspended recovery).
1) Situation Assessment
A suspension pauses selling privileges pending review. Typical triggers:
US materials note 180-day point resets; 48 points can lead to permanent bans. TikTok counts business days, not calendar days (the US excludes Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays).
2) Timeline (first 48 hours)
Hour 0–2
Capture evidence: Account Health screenshots, warning emails, LDR/VTR trends, pending order list.
Freeze risky operations: stop non-urgent campaigns that may add orders you can’t dispatch.
Triage pending orders by earliest deadline.
Hour 2–6
Post tracking on all ready orders; ensure carrier + service codes are correct for VTR validity.
For labels created but not scanned, ensure handoff to carrier before your local cutoff.
Hour 6–12
Submit appeal packet with timestamps, tracking proof, and a prevention plan (template in Part 4).
Hour 12–24
Monitor decisions; ship the remaining queue; update buyers with accurate ETAs.
Log every corrective action for your audit trail.
Hour 24–48
If appeal is pending, send supplemental evidence (pickup manifests, scan logs).
Begin prevention routines (Part 5) so you don’t slide back.
3) Required Evidence (one labeled PDF bundle)
Keep it tight: compile everything into a single PDF with clearly labeled sections.
Account Health screenshots (reason & time)
30-day order export; pending list with Dispatch-by
Last 50 tracking events (carrier acceptance scans with timestamps)
(This sequence prevents TikTok shop 7-day auto cancellation cascades.)
5) Success Story (composite, realistic)
US cosmetics shop: LDR 5.2%, VTR 92% during holidays. They exported 30 days of orders, showed 42 labels created before the cutoff, attached two USPS manifests with same-day scans, and proved a two-day courier outage. They shipped 61 remaining orders, raised VTR to 97%, and enforced a 9 PM internal cutoff with T-12/T-4 alerts. Suspension lifted in 36 hours; LDR fell to 2.1% next week.
⚠️ Watcher Mode helps prevent these violations automatically
SECTION B (CODE ORANGE): What should I do after a violation warning email (24–48 hr window)?
⚠️ CRITICAL WARNING: If you see this message, you have less than 24 hours to prevent account suspension. Skip to CODE ORANGE immediately.
Direct answer: Ship oldest-due first, fix invalid tracking, document a small prevention note, and align operations to business-day rules (TikTok shop account warning received).
1) Situation Assessment
A violation warning email signals drifting metrics or a policy breach. Common scenarios:
LDR approaching 4%
VTR slipping under 95%
Point accumulation trending to 12 / 24 / 36 milestones
2) Timeline (hour-by-hour)
Hour 0–1
Screenshot the email and Account Health page.
Identify the oldest dispatch-by deadlines first.
Hour 1–3
Ship oldest first; print labels; hand off to carrier.
If the warning cited policy numbers (e.g., LDR definition or VTR), align operations to those definitions (business-day dispatch; verify local holiday handling).
Hour 24–48
Send a proactive message via Seller Center for any order likely to cut it close; document it for your appeal log.
3) Required Evidence
Warning email screenshot (headers/time)
At-risk order list with Dispatch-by timestamps
Tracking proof and pickup manifests
Internal prevention note (who does what, when)
4) Recovery Actions
Reduce LDR: pull any order within 12 hours of the deadline to the front.
If your region shifted TTS → RTS for LDR (2 working days to mark Ready to Ship), update cutoffs now.
5) Success Story
A crafts seller received a warning at 7:22 PM with 47 orders due by 9 PM Monday. They sorted by Dispatch-by, corrected 8 invalid tracking entries suppressing VTR, and used a T-4 sweep. Result: LDR peaked at 3.7% (no suspension), VTR 97% by Tuesday.
“Got a warning?” You’re not alone.
247 sellers received warnings this week. The 20 who join TokHQ are set up not to get another.
SECTION C (CODE YELLOW): How do I pull LDR below 4% fast?
Direct answer: Prioritize by Dispatch-by window, use countdowns, and ensure acceptance scans land before the cutoff (avoid TikTok shop 9 pm cutoff missed).
1) Situation Assessment
LDR measures orders not dispatched within the required window (often 2 business days, region-specific). Guides emphasize a 7-day measurement window, business-day handling, and timely status updates (US excludes Sat/Sun/federal holidays).
2) Timeline (first 48 hours)
Hour 0–2
Export last 7 days of orders; count total and late.
Identify today + tomorrow deadlines.
Hour 2–6
Batch print labels by earliest deadline; handoff to carrier.
Verify status updates are pushed promptly (avoid sync delays causing false “late” flags).
You’ll also get founding seller priority when we launch October 15
SECTION D (CODE BLUE): What do I do after first violation points?
Direct answer: Stop further breaches for 7 days, document the fix, then appeal with proof (avoid escalation toward TikTok shop 36 violation points).
1) Situation Assessment
TikTok assigns violation points for policy breaches. Milestones at 12 / 24 / 36 / 48 trigger escalating restrictions; 48 can mean permanent deactivation (region dependent). US guidance often shows 180-day resets; verify your region’s rules.
2) Timeline (hour-by-hour)
0–1h: Document the exact violation, timestamp, and affected orders.
1–6h: Remove the root cause (fix tracking validity or ensure same-day handoffs).
6–24h: Prepare appeal packet (three specific facts + three fixes).
24–48h: Submit the prevention plan and monitor Account Health daily.
3) Required Evidence
Points screenshot (with time)
Linked order/ship logs
Before/after process diagram (what changed)
4) Recovery Actions
Stop the bleeding (no new violations for 7 days)
Appeal when the fix is verifiably in place
Adopt Part 5 routines
5) Success Story
A collectibles shop received 12 points for late dispatch during a regional holiday week. They proved business-day miscalculation and provided pickup confirmations; points were removed after review, and they added holiday overrides and earlier cutoffs to prevent repeats.
PART 3: Practical Tools (with actual math)
1) LDR RISK CALCULATOR: how many can go late before 4%?
Inputs:
current LDR, totals (T/L), run-rate (R) next 2 days, expected late (r_late)
Outputs:
projected LDR in 48h; maxLate you can afford before crossing 4%
Formula:
Current LDR = L / T × 100%
In 48h: T′ = T + 2R, L′ = L + 2 × r_late
Projected LDR (48h) = L′ / T′ × 100%
maxLate = 0.04 × T′ − L (round down)
If maxLate ≤ 0, you’re already over 4% → ship now and avoid any new lates
Wednesday: Review top 10 SKUs for address/weight accuracy (label errors cause scan delays).
Friday: Enable surge mode for weekends (pre-print labels, backup courier).
Sunday: Plan Monday volume (kits pre-packed, shifts set, alerts verified).
✅ SAFE ZONE: Your metrics are healthy. Maintain these routines to stay protected.
Why this works: It lines up with TikTok’s two-business-day window, keeps VTR above 95%, and prevents point accumulation that leads to 12/24/36/48 milestones.
⚠️ Platform Gotchas That Will Burn You
The Timezone Trap
TikTok uses PST for all calculations regardless of your location
Your 9 PM EST deadline is actually 6 PM in TikTok’s system
Solution: Set all internal deadlines 3 hours early if you’re East Coast
The Weekend Illusion
Friday 6:01 PM order shows “Ship by Sunday” in Seller Center
Reality: Must ship by Tuesday 11:59 PM (business days only)
Monday holiday? Now it’s Wednesday. Plan accordingly.
Business days in many regions. The US excludes Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays. Confirm locally.
My region checks RTS (Ready to Ship) rather than TTS. What now?
Treat RTS within 2 working days as operative where rolled out; verify in your region’s policy updates.
How strict is VTR?
Many references cite ≥ 95%. Ensure courier + service codes are correct and tracking numbers are verifiable.
When do violation points clear?
US materials show 180-day resets; other regions vary. Always verify your local rules.
How do I avoid cut-off misses?
Use T-12/T-4 alerts, stage at docks, and split shipments if half is ready, which prevents TikTok shop 9pm cutoff missed cascades.
Can I really save the account tonight?
Yes. Ship the oldest due first, fix VTR, keep countdowns on, and submit a documented appeal to save TikTok shop from suspension.
Platform-specific quirks to remember
Business-day math is central; avoid assuming calendar days. TikTok has documented transitions from calendar→working days.
Cutoff hour matters (e.g., 9 PM local). Orders after cutoff start counting the next business day.
Two core metrics to stabilize fast: LDR <4% and VTR ≥95% (commonly cited guardrails).
Notes on using tools (if you need a safety net tonight)
Monitoring without changing your stack: Watcher mode shows countdown pills (T-12/T-4), orders at risk first, and never purchases labels or posts RTS/tracking on your behalf. That keeps you policy-safe while you fix the queue.
Connector-aware behavior: If another system already posted tracking, TokHQ marks the order as external handled and suppresses actions—avoiding double-posts and noise during an emergency.
Under the hood (why it’s reliable): Deadlines are computed server-side with business-day/holiday tables; alerts are idempotent (T-12/T-4), and the system is designed to handle duplicate webhooks safely and log a clear compliance trail.
You don’t need to adopt new fulfillment tools at 8:45 PM. Use a read-only monitor to stop the bleeding first. Then automate later.
Appendices
A) Real Timeline Examples (US, 9 PM cutoff)
These examples assume: business days exclude weekends/federal holidays (US) and your store’s cutoff is 9:00 PM local. Always verify your region’s rules.
Order placed Fri 5:59 PM → Day 1 = Fri, Day 2 = Mon → Due Mon 8:59 PM.
Order placed Fri 9:01 PM → Day 1 = Mon, Day 2 = Tue → Due Tue 8:59 PM.
Order placed Wed before a Thu federal holiday at 10 AM → Day 1 = Wed, Day 2 = Fri → Due Fri 8:59 PM.
B) Calculator Recap (for screenshots)
LDR Risk: L′/T′ formula; maxLate until 4%.
Deadline: before/after cutoff → add 2 business days → cutoff time.
Revenue Impact: (M/30 × D) + (M/30 × 0.2 × up to 7).
C) Evidence & Compliance Log
Keep an append-only log of actions (what, who, when). If you use an ops system, ensure it can’t edit past entries (append-only).
Final sanity check for the Friday 8:45 PM scenario
Sort by dispatch-by, not by order value.
Clear anything in T-4 first, then T-12.
Validate tracking entries (courier + service) to keep VTR ≥95%.
If you got a tiktok shop violation warning email, screenshot it, fix the queue, and submit a tight appeal with timestamps (Part 4).
Keep one primary action per screen; don’t bounce between tools.
📋 Print This: Emergency Reference Card
Cut along dotted line and keep by your computer
WHEN PANIC HITS – DO THIS ORDER:
Check deadline: Seller Center → Orders → Sort by “Ship By”
Count at risk: How many due in next 4 hours?
Print labels: All at-risk orders NOW
Drive to drop: 24-hour locations get priority
Get receipt: Scan confirmation with timestamp
Update tracking: Immediately in Seller Center
Screenshot: Everything for evidence
DEADLINE MATH (US):
Fri before 6 PM → Due Mon 11:59 PM
Fri after 6 PM → Due Tue 11:59 PM
Weekend orders → Due Tue 11:59 PM
VIOLATION THRESHOLDS:
4% LDR = Warning zone
5% LDR = Suspension likely
12 points = First restriction
24 points = Major restriction
36 points = Critical status
48 points = Permanent ban
APPEAL WINDOW:
You have 30 days but submit within 24 hours
First submitted = First reviewed
IF SUSPENDED:
Screenshot everything (5 min)
Export orders (5 min)
Write appeal (30 min)
Submit with evidence (5 min)
EMERGENCY CONTACTS:
24-Hour FedEx Locator:1-800-463-3339
UPS Customer Center:1-800-742-5877
USPS Main Office: [Add your local]
⏰ TIME CHECK: Orders placed now are due . Set alarm for 4 hours before deadline.
Source & credibility notes
Violation points & resets (US): Seller University indicates milestones at 12/24/36/48 and 180-day resets.
Business-day dispatch (US): Business days exclude Sat/Sun/federal holidays.
LDR definition window: Seven-day window; dispatch within working days emphasized in multiple regional pages.
Common performance guardrails: LDR <4%, VTR ≥95% widely cited by 2024–2025 sources.
🚨 ONLY 17 FOUNDING SPOTS LEFT
Stop Living in Fear of the Next Violation Email
😰
No more 3 AM panic checks
⏰
No more weekend scrambles
🚫
No more suspension anxiety
247 sellers got warnings this week. Don't be next.