Overview
Here are high-level requirements for preparing and shipping inventory to Walmart fulfillment centers. For more details, download the WFS Routing Guide. It should be your go-to source for shipping and packaging guidelines, and we continually update it with new guidance.
WFS Product Requirements
There are some limits to the types of products that can be included in the program:
- Products must ship to Walmart fulfillment centers from within the United States
- No temperature-regulated products
- No prohibited products
- Maximum product weight is 500 lb.
- Maximum product dimensions of 120″ x 105″ x 93″
Products that contain chemicals, aerosols, or batteries must pass a compliance review before they’re published on Walmart.com.
Preparing Items for WFS
To ensure the timely processing of inventory, we ask that inbound shipments meet specific labeling and packing requirements. Some of these include:
Item Labels
- All items must be labeled with a UPC barcode. Standard-size items may be labeled with GTIN-14.
- Price tags, product labels, and retailer-specific labels should not be on the product packaging.
- All required hazard warnings must be clearly visible and apparent on all poly bags.
- All perishable goods must contain a visible expiration date in an appropriate format (MM-DD-YYYY or MM-YYY) on the sellable unit packaging.
- All products must be marked with the country of origin. A label or marking stating “Made in . . .” on items such as clothing qualify as the country of origin.
Packaging
- All products must be protected in a sealed or closed container, ready for sale.
- Any item received as ready to ship in a shippable container will be packaged at the discretion of the fulfillment center.
- Packaging inserts and other forms of marketing materials are acceptable as long as they don’t advertise competing services.
Preparing Shipments
Small-parcel shipments can arrive as floor loads. Full-truckload (FTL) and less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments must arrive on pallets and meet WFS pallet requirements.
Boxes
WFS accepts these standard box types:
- Regular slotted carton (RSC)
- B flute
- ECT-32 (edge crush test)
- 200 lb./sq inch (burst strength)
Each box must weigh no more than 50 lb. unless it contains a single unit that exceeds 50 lb. Do not bundle boxes using bagging, taping, elastic, or extra straps.
Packing Materials
| Accepted | Not Accepted |
· Foam · Air pillows · Bubble wrap · Full sheets of paper |
· Styrofoam peanuts · Biodegradable packing peanuts · Cornstarch packing peanuts · Crinkle wrap · Shredded paper |
Pallets
All pallets must meet these requirements:
- Use 40″ x 48″, 4-way-access, solid-wood, Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) Standard Grade A pallets.
- Pallets may weigh up to 1,500 lb. and up to 72″ in height.
- Pallets may contain a single SKU or mixed SKUs. SKUs must be physically separated if multiples are included on the same pallet.
- Pallets must be in good condition, accessible, and moveable using a standard pallet jack.
Double-stacked pallets are allowed but must meet these additional requirements:
- Pallets must be no more than 108″ in height, including the height of the pallets.
- Use corner boards to help protect and maintain the stability of boxes in transit.
- Arrange pallets so they are accessible by a forklift from the same side.
- Stretch wrap pallets to prevent damage during shipping and protect associates during unloading.
Box & Pallet Labels
- Boxes must specify whether they contain single or mixed SKUs and the carton number (e.g., # _ of _ x) and be labeled with “Team Lift” or “Mech Lift,” depending on weight.
- Remove any previous shipping labels or markings from reused boxes.
- Pallets must be labeled with each shipment ID included on each side of the pallet.
- For all shipments, sellers can print standard shipment labels from the seller portal.
Shipping Items to WFS
Sellers are responsible for sending inventory to Walmart using either the Walmart Preferred Carrier Program or their own carrier. The Walmart Preferred Carrier Program offers discounts on FedEx small parcel and LTL deliveries.
Third-Party Carrier Requirements
If sellers choose to use their own carrier, the carrier must:
- Be Department of Transportation (DOT) certified and registered.
- Have a Retail Link account set up to use Walmart’s scheduling service.
- Acknowledge that they will use only Walmart’s scheduling service for appointment needs.
Seller Shipping Requirements
- Sellers will be assigned specific fulfillment centers per inbound order. In some cases, an inbound order may need to be split across two locations.
- Sellers must ship their items only to their assigned Walmart fulfillment centers.
- Sellers or carriers will be asked to schedule delivery appointments with their assigned fulfillment centers.
Documentation
Sellers must ship using Walmart-facility-specific bills of lading. There should never be more than one bill of lading per location. The bill of lading must contain:
- Shipment IDs
- Complete destination fulfillment center address
- Freight terms, e.g., Prepaid
- Seller name
- Complete ship-from address
- Ship date
- Carrier name
- Carton count
For LTL shipments, sellers must also include accurate NMFC numbers (including subitem number, if applicable), NMFC class, number of cartons, and weight by item in the bill of lading.
Shipment Delivery
Walmart may inspect items after arrival at the Walmart fulfillment center. Items that have been properly packed and labeled will be checked in within 2 business days. However, items that require unplanned prep work, arrive during peak months, or other circumstances may take up to ten days to process.
Damaged Items
Any goods received at a Walmart fulfillment center in a damaged or pilfered condition (concealed or otherwise) will be refused and/or returned to the seller at the seller’s expense. We’ll use the damages at receiving preferences that you provided in Seller Center to process damaged items. If you choose to have damaged items returned to you, we’ll use the WFS return address you provided.
Lost Items
Sellers are responsible for any goods lost in transit to Walmart fulfillment centers and must manage all carrier claims.
