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Struggling to manage logistics for your viral TikTok Shop products? Here’s why outsourcing fulfillment for TikTok to a 3PL like Buske Logistics can transform your fulfillment operations and help you scale seamlessly. While Fulfilled by TikTok (FBT) offers convenience, it may not provide the flexibility and scalability a seller needs to thrive. Let’s explore why 3PLs are the smarter choice for sellers looking to dominate TikTok e-commerce.
Here’s how outsourcing fulfillment for TikTok compares to sticking with FBT:
So, is 3PL better than Fulfilled by TikTok? While both options aim to simplify the fulfillment process, their approaches and benefits vary significantly.
Outsourcing TikTok order fulfillment to 3PL companies means the logistics provider will handle every step involved, from receiving orders to shipping them to customers. These processes include order management, storage, packing, delivery, and returns management.
A 3PL company like Buske Logistics can efficiently scale its services and offer customizable solutions to fit the specific needs of businesses of all sizes.
FBT is TikTok’s in-house fulfillment solution. It functions similarly to 3PL fulfillment. Sellers send their inventory to a designated FBT warehouse, where their products are stored, packed, and shipped to buyers.
It’s designed for sellers who want an all-in-one solution to streamline their TikTok-based sales. While FBT can be a good option for sellers on the platform, it comes with some limitations, including:
Choosing 3PL TikTok shop fulfillment isn’t just a logistical decision—it’s a growth strategy. While FBT is designed to streamline order processing, it has significant limitations.
On the other hand, 3PL outsourced TikTok order fulfillment can significantly impact a shop or brand’s reputation and success. Here’s why partnering with a 3PL like Buske can be more beneficial for sellers:
In general, partnering with a 3PL is known to lead to savings. NTT Data’s 2022 3PL Study revealed that 64% of companies using 3PL services reported reduced logistics costs. TikTok sellers can enjoy the same outcome.
FBT charges fixed fees for storage, handling, and shipping, which may not be cost-effective for small businesses or those with fluctuating sales. A 3PL allows its clients to pay for only what they use, allowing them to save money during slower months.
With social media's constant rise, many instances have shown that viral posts can impact sales. When this happens, sellers need a 3PL partner that can scale its fulfillment operations to meet fluctuating demands—this is where Buske shines.
Buske’s services are built to scale with businesses of all sizes, offering extra storage and staff when needed.
For example, a new TikTok shop would likely need storage and fulfillment services on a smaller scale. However, their logistical requirements could grow quickly, especially when a product goes viral on TikTok.
With Buske’s flexible warehousing solutions, we can quickly scale our storage and fulfillment operations to accommodate a surge in orders. This could mean providing additional warehouse space, expedited shipping services, and even extra staff to manage the influx of orders.
Once the demand stabilizes, Buske can adjust back to the business’s regular needs. This means sellers won’t overpay during slower periods. This seamless scaling will allow TikTok sellers to focus on marketing and maintaining customer relationships.
Partnering with a 3PL doesn’t mean giving up control—quite the opposite. TikTok sellers retain complete visibility and oversight of their inventory with the help of advanced tools provided by 3PLs.
For instance, Buske Logistics uses cutting-edge Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) to offer real-time tracking and detailed inventory reporting. This helps TikTok sellers avoid overselling or running out of stock, which is essential for shops experiencing viral sales spikes.
One of the biggest advantages of working with a 3PL over FBT is access to value-added services beyond simply storing, packing, and shipping products. These services can help a brand or store stand out on TikTok Shop and create a memorable customer experience.
Here’s what value-added services look like with Buske Logistics:
With Buske’s 24/7 operations, our clients aren’t left waiting for answers or solutions. Buske's team is always available to provide real-time support, whether it’s a last-minute change to an order, a sudden spike in demand, or a question about inventory.
This personalized approach ensures that a TikTok shop runs smoothly and customers stay happy—there are no generic solutions, just hands-on assistance whenever our clients need it.
One downside of choosing FBT is that it leaves sellers with little room to expand their business on other e-commerce platforms. Want to expand to Amazon or Shopify? A 3PL can manage inventory across various e-commerce sales channels.
Buske’s 3PL Tiktok fulfillment services come with seamless integration between TikTok Shop and our systems. Our e-commerce clients get to enjoy the same level of online store integration for other platforms, making it easier to expand their business.
Outsourcing to a 3PL gives you full control over packaging, branding, fulfillment speed, and customer experience, while FBT often restricts customization and uses standardized processes. 3PLs also offer more transparency and flexibility in logistics operations compared to FBT’s more uniform, hands-off setup.
Although FBT can scale to handle viral spikes, many 3PLs are built specifically to manage unpredictable surges with robust infrastructure and network capabilities. They typically support faster ramp-up across multiple channels, not just TikTok.
FBT may seem convenient, but it often imposes platform-specific fees and limits on cost optimization, whereas 3PLs offer variable pricing, carrier flexibility, and potential savings from higher shipping volumes. This makes 3PLs generally more cost-effective for scaling sellers.
FBT uses standardized packaging with little to no customization, limiting your brand’s unboxing impact, whereas a 3PL enables fully branded packaging, inserts, and tailored presentation to boost customer loyalty and social sharing.
Many sellers value FBT’s hands-off logistics but report frustrations with limited control and difficult support interactions; by contrast, sellers working with 3PLs emphasize better communication, visibility, and operational flexibility. One seller noted that TikTok support was slow and automated, making FBT feel restrictive compared to available 3PL workflows.
Outsourcing fulfillment for TikTok to a 3PL like Buske Logistics isn’t just smarter—it’s a game-changer. With scalable services, custom solutions, and a team that’s as invested in your success as you are, the possibilities are endless.
Contact Buske Logistics today to see how we can help grow your TikTok Shop.
