Mastering Shopee Pre-Order: A Complete Setup Guide & 2025 Policy Update

Shopee has officially announced that it will update its pre-order product policy for marketplaces in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam on **November 25, 2025**. This new rule specifically targets sellers using local logistics fulfillment and will impose restrictions on the ratio and quantity of pre-order products. Sellers who fail to meet the new standards by December 2 will face listing restrictions. The platform has released detailed pre-order guidelines for sellers to review.

 

I. What are Shopee Pre-Order Products?

According to Shopee's official definition, a pre-order product is one that requires a longer preparation time. Sellers can set the handling time (DTS) for these items to 5-10 working days.

Pre-order products are typically customized items or goods requiring special processing. When the DTS is set within this range, the system will automatically add a "Pre-Order" tag to the product listing.



 

II. Key Benefits of Using Shopee Pre-Order

There are several strategic advantages to utilizing the pre-order feature on Shopee:


	

	
Inventory and Capital Management: Pre-orders allow you to accept orders before stock arrives, reducing inventory pressure and capital risk.
	
	

	
Marking Demand Forecasting: Test the market's reception for a product before committing to large-scale production or inventory.
	
	

	
Order Lock-in: Secure potential customers early, building momentum for new product launches.
	


Common product types suitable for pre-orders include:


	

	
Customized products (which often have longer production cycles)
	
	

	
Goods requiring special logistics (e.g., frozen shipping)
	
	

	
High-value items with limited stock
	


 

III. Understanding Shopee Pre-Order Restrictions

The upcoming policy change on November 25, 2025, for the five mentioned countries aims to enhance the buyer experience by ensuring faster delivery times.



If a store has 1,000 total live listings, the number of pre-order items must not exceed 50 (reduced from the previous limit of 200).

 

IV. Why the Restrictions?

Buyers generally prefer products with shorter shipping times. A high proportion of pre-order listings can negatively impact delivery speed, store conversion rates, and overall customer satisfaction. Therefore, Shopee mandates that sellers maintain pre-order products at a lower quantity and ratio.

Furthermore, if the number of pre-order items reaches or exceeds 100, the system will trigger an automatic de-listing process. The system prioritizes de-listing products with the lowest sales performance first, followed by the oldest listed items.

 

V. How to Set Up Pre-Order on Shopee

Configuring a product as a pre-order item on Shopee is straightforward. Here are the primary methods:

Method 1: Via Seller Centre


	

	
Go to [Shopee Seller Centre] -> [My Products].
	
	

	
Select the product you want to edit or create a new listing.
	
	

	
Click "Edit" and locate the shipping settings.
	
	

	
Set the Handling Time (DTS) to 5-10 working days.
	
	

	
The system will automatically add the "Pre-Order" tag upon saving.
	
	

	
Wait for the listing to be reviewed and activated by Shopee.
	






Method 2: Using BigSeller

You can also configure products as pre-order items directly when uploading new listings through the BigSeller platform.

 

VI. Effective Shopee Pre-Order Management Strategies

To maximize the benefits of pre-orders while complying with new rules, consider these strategies:


	

	
Design Tiered Deposit & Shipping Schemes: Implement a strategic deposit system. For example, charge 10% for basic items with a longer shipping cycle, 20% for new or hot items with prioritized shipping, and 30% for custom-made products. This helps filter serious buyers and optimize cash flow.
	
	

	
Proactively Manage Pre-Order Ratios: Regularly monitor your store's pre-order listings to ensure they comply with the latest platform ratios. Adjust your product mix accordingly to avoid penalties.
	




FAQ: 

Q: What happens if I exceed the pre-order product ratio limit?

A: Exceeding the permitted ratio is a violation of Shopee's listing rules. Penalties can include restrictions on listing new products and potential loss of Preferred Seller status. A high pre-order ratio also typically negatively impacts your store's conversion rate and customer satisfaction.



Q: I sell custom products. How can I promptly notify buyers about customization details and shipping time after they order?

A: You can use the confirmation order feature within Duoke's Order Management system. This allows you to set up automated messages specifically for pre-order items, which are sent to buyers after purchase, confirming their options and the expected dispatch timeline.







Duoke is an AI intelligent customer service reception tool that integrates customer messages from multiple platforms such as Lazada, Shopee, Tik Tok Shop, Mercado, Facebook, etc.It unifies the management of multiple platforms and multiple stores, and centrally and efficiently processes customer messages.