Navigating Douyin's e-commerce deposit requirements can be confusing for new sellers and content creators. With various types of deposits including store deposits and creator deposits, it's easy to make costly mistakes. This guide provides a clear breakdown of Douyin's deposit standards, helping both store owners and affiliate marketers operate confidently within the platform's requirements.
Two Essential Types of Douyin E-Commerce Deposits
The platform primarily requires two categories of deposits: store deposits for merchants and creator deposits for affiliate marketers. These serve as financial safeguards and performance guarantees within Douyin's ecosystem.
1. Douyin Store Deposit: The Foundation for Merchants
The store deposit functions as a merchant's security bond, protecting consumer interests while ensuring seller compliance. This mandatory deposit varies based on business type and performance metrics.
Structure: Comprising three components:
- Base Deposit: The foundational amount determined by product category. Higher-risk categories (e.g., jewelry) require larger deposits than standard categories (e.g., apparel).
- Variable Deposit: Adjusts according to sales performance, increasing with higher sales volumes as a dynamic risk management measure.
- Promotional Deposit: Additional requirements during major sales events (e.g., 618, Singles' Day) to ensure compliance with campaign rules.
Key Note: Merchants pay only the highest applicable deposit amount among these categories, not cumulative totals.
Sample Base Deposit Requirements:
| Product Category | Deposit Amount (CNY) |
|---|---|
| Food/Health Products | 20,000 |
| Apparel/Footwear/Bags | 5,000 |
| Jewelry/Antiques | 20,000 |
| Virtual Goods | 1,000 |
2. Creator Deposit: The Affiliate Marketer's Requirement
Content creators must pay this deposit to activate shopping window features, serving as a performance guarantee for product promotion activities.
Structure: Includes multiple components:
- Base Deposit: Fixed amount for basic shopping window access
- Variable Deposit: Adjusts based on monthly sales performance
- Category-Specific Deposit: Additional requirements for high-risk product categories
- Credit Deposit: Additional amounts for accounts with compliance issues
Variable Deposit Mechanics
Both store and creator deposits incorporate performance-based adjustments:
For Stores: Calculated based on 30-day sales performance, encouraging consistent business growth.
For Creators: Tied to monthly Gross Merchandise Value (GMV):
| Previous Month's GMV (CNY) | Deposit Amount (CNY) |
|---|---|
| 0-5,000 | 500 |
| 5,000-10,000 | 1,000 |
| 10,000-50,000 | 2,000 |
| 50,000+ | 10,000 |
Deposit Payment Procedures
For Store Deposits:
New merchants complete payment during store setup, while existing stores manage deposits through their account dashboard.
For Creator Deposits:
Individual and business accounts access deposit payment through different paths in the Douyin app, all ultimately leading to the shopping window permissions section.
Deposit Withdrawal Policies
Store Deposit Refunds:
Require full store closure with multiple prerequisites including completed orders, settled payments, and resolved customer service cases. The process includes a mandatory 30-day waiting period.
Creator Deposit Withdrawals:
Available upon meeting basic account requirements including identity verification and clean compliance records.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can both deposit types be paid simultaneously?
Yes, merchants who also wish to promote products as creators must maintain both deposit types.
Are deposits refundable?
Both deposit types can be withdrawn upon meeting platform requirements, typically returning to the original payment method.
When are deposits deducted?
Only for verified compliance violations or consumer compensation cases, not during normal operations.
Conclusion
Douyin's deposit system establishes clear financial accountability for all e-commerce participants. By understanding these requirements, merchants and creators can build sustainable businesses while maintaining consumer trust on China's leading short-video platform.