Petition Calls for TikTok Shop to Launch in the Canary Islands
A new petition is calling on TikTok to make its popular TikTok Shop service available in the Canary Islands, arguing that local businesses, creators and residents are being unfairly left behind.
While TikTok Shop is already available across mainland Spain and several other European countries, people living in the Canary Islands are currently unable to access the platform in the same way. Campaigners say this means local businesses are missing out on an increasingly important way to sell products online and reach new customers.
Why isn’t TikTok Shop available in the Canary Islands?
The main issue appears to be the Canary Islands’ unique tax and customs system.
Unlike mainland Spain, the islands use IGIC (Impuesto General Indirecto Canario) instead of VAT. Goods travelling between the Canary Islands and mainland Spain often require additional customs paperwork and different tax procedures.
Campaigners argue that these differences should not prevent the platform from operating here, pointing out that many other major online retailers and courier companies have already adapted their systems to work with the Canary Islands.
What is the petition asking for?
The petition is asking TikTok to:
- Introduce TikTok Shop in the Canary Islands.
- Develop payment and delivery systems that can handle local customs and tax requirements.
- Consider creating a Canary Islands marketplace where local businesses can sell directly to customers across the islands.
- Allow businesses to continue using external shopping links until TikTok Shop becomes available locally.
Why does this matter?
TikTok has become much more than a social media app. Millions of users now discover products through videos and live streams before purchasing them directly within the app.
Across Europe, TikTok says more than 100,000 businesses are already using TikTok Shop, with rapid growth since its expansion into Spain and other European markets.
For businesses in Lanzarote and the rest of the Canary Islands, access to TikTok Shop could provide another route to reach both residents and visitors searching for local products, gifts, fashion, beauty items and souvenirs.
Supporters of the campaign believe it could particularly benefit:
- Independent retailers
- Local artisan producers
- Small family-run businesses
- Content creators
- Tourism-related companies
What happens next?
At the moment, the petition is gathering support from businesses, residents, creators and consumers across the Canary Islands.
There is no indication that TikTok has committed to launching TikTok Shop in the Canary Islands, but campaigners hope enough public backing will encourage the company to develop a solution that works with the islands’ tax and customs system.
