Many aspiring e-commerce entrepreneurs face frustration when attempting to register Shopee stores, only to encounter rejections for reasons like "false materials" or "duplicate registration." These repeated failures not only waste valuable time and effort but also dampen enthusiasm for entering the e-commerce market. Understanding Shopee's review mechanisms and learning how to avoid common pitfalls is crucial for successfully launching your online business.
Shopee's Registration Review: Essential Guidelines
Since the second half of 2020, Shopee has significantly tightened its review process for new stores. Through consultations with Shopee's review team and customer service representatives, we've identified several critical considerations for successful registration.
1. Business License: The Importance of Time
It's advisable to use business licenses that have been registered for more than ten days. Newly registered licenses might not yet appear in official databases, making verification difficult during Shopee's review process. This delay in information updates often leads to false "material falsification" judgments.
2. Photos and Videos: Authenticity Matters
Shopee conducts rigorous manual reviews of submitted visual materials. Key points to remember:
- Maintain consistent lighting: Fluctuating light conditions in videos may trigger suspicions of editing or splicing.
- Avoid any modifications: Submit original files without cropping, Photoshop adjustments, or other alterations.
- Handle large files properly: If photo resolution causes upload issues, reshoot rather than resizing.
3. Material Evaluation: False vs. Suspected
Shopee distinguishes between "false materials" and "false suspicion" in its rejections. Carefully review rejection emails to determine your specific case. Materials flagged as definitively false cannot typically be reused, while suspected cases allow for one appeal opportunity through official customer service channels.
4. Duplicate Registration: Attention to Detail
Even first-time applicants might face "duplicate registration" rejections if:
- Contact information was previously used for other Shopee accounts
- Registration processes were started but not completed
- Information was submitted through Shopee's official social media channels
5. Additional Considerations
Other potential rejection reasons include:
- Data screening identifying reused transaction records
- Business license irregularities like expired registrations or virtual addresses
Exploring Shopee Local Stores: An Alternative Path
For sellers struggling with cross-border store registration, Shopee local stores present a compelling alternative. These stores, registered under local rather than foreign entities, offer several advantages:
- Enhanced visibility: Local stores typically receive better search rankings and platform recommendations.
- Higher conversion rates: Local addresses build greater trust with domestic buyers.
- Faster payment processing: Shorter fund settlement cycles compared to cross-border stores.
While international sellers cannot directly register local stores, purchasing existing local store accounts remains an option. Many established Shopee sellers now operate both cross-border and local stores to maximize their market presence.
Selecting and Operating Local Stores
Key factors when choosing a local store include account reputation, product category alignment, and pricing. Successful operation requires:
- Optimizing product listings with clear descriptions and high-quality images
- Participating in platform promotions
- Providing responsive customer service
- Leveraging social media for additional exposure
Understanding Shopee's registration requirements and carefully preparing application materials significantly improves approval chances. For persistent registration challenges, local stores offer a viable alternative pathway to e-commerce success on Shopee's platform.