Examining the Requirements For WFS Packaging
Walmart's packaging requirements stand as a cornerstone for sellers seeking to excel in their fulfillment operations on Walmart.com. These guidelines dictate the meticulous preparation of items for shipment, encompassing everything from labeling and packaging materials to pallet specifications. Adhering to Walmart's stringent packaging standards is paramount for sellers aiming to ensure efficient inventory processing and deliver orders promptly to customers. In this blog post, we examine Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) and Walmart's packaging requirements, exploring the essential criteria and guidelines that sellers must adhere to in order to optimize their packaging processes and elevate the overall customer experience.
Unlocking the Benefits of WFS Program
With Walmart's unparalleled supply chain infrastructure, WFS offers sellers a host of compelling benefits essential for achieving success on Walmart.com. From delivering exceptional service and cost-effective solutions to enhancing site visibility and enabling multi-channel success, WFS empowers sellers to thrive in the competitive eCommerce landscape. By leveraging Walmart's scale, quality, and efficiency, sellers can elevate their brand reputation and drive sustainable growth.
Navigating the WFS Operational Framework
Participating in the WFS program is seamless and straightforward. Sellers begin by creating an account in Seller Center and inputting their WFS details. Subsequently, they convert their products to Walmart-fulfilled listings and dispatch their inventory to the designated Walmart fulfillment center. From there, Walmart assumes responsibility for every aspect of order fulfillment, including inventory management, order processing, shipping, and customer inquiries, ensuring a hassle-free experience for both sellers and customers.
Understanding the Program Fee Structure
WFS offers a transparent and cost-effective fee structure tailored to meet the needs of sellers. The program encompasses a fixed monthly storage fee and a fulfillment price based solely on item weight, eliminating hidden fees and complex pricing models. Sellers benefit from a single rate card devoid of signup or monthly subscription fees, fostering transparency and predictability in fulfillment costs.
Navigating WFS Product Requirements
While WFS presents a lucrative opportunity for sellers, it imposes certain product requirements to ensure seamless integration into the program. The eligibility criteria for products in the WFS program include shipping exclusively from within the United States, with restrictions on temperature-regulated and prohibited items. Additionally, products must adhere to a maximum weight limit of 500 lb and specific dimensions not exceeding 120" x 105" x 93". Complying with these requirements is paramount for sellers seeking to leverage the benefits of WFS.
Essential Documentation Guidelines
To facilitate smooth and efficient shipment processing, sellers must adhere to meticulous documentation guidelines established by WFS. This entails utilizing Walmart-facility-specific bills of lading containing essential details such as:
Shipment IDs
Full destination fulfillment center address
Freight terms (e.g., Prepaid)
Seller's name
Comprehensive ship-from address
Date of shipment
Carrier's name
Quantity of cartons
Strict adherence to documentation requirements is imperative to prevent shipment delays or rejections and uphold the integrity of the packaging process.
Packaging Prerequisites
Preparing items for Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) involves adhering to specific labeling and packaging criteria to ensure efficient inventory processing. Item labeling requirements include:
Use of UPC barcodes or GTIN-14 for standard-size items
Exclusion of price tags and retailer-specific labels from product packaging
Clear visibility of hazard warnings on poly bags
Inclusion of visible expiration dates for perishable goods
Marking of products with the country of origin.
Packaging guidelines dictate that all products must be securely sealed or enclosed in a container suitable for sale, with packaging inserts allowed as long as they do not promote competing services.
Packaging Preparation
When preparing shipments for WFS, small-parcel shipments may be delivered as floor loads, while full-truckload (FTL) and less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments must be palletized and comply with WFS pallet requirements. Accepted box types for WFS shipments include regular slotted cartons (RSC), B flute, ECT-32 (edge crush test), and 200 lb./sq inch (burst strength). Each box should weigh no more than 50 lb., except for single units exceeding 50 lb., and bundling boxes with bagging, taping, elastic, or extra straps is not permitted. These measures ensure that items are packaged securely and compliantly for efficient handling and transportation within the WFS system.
Accepted Packaging Materials
Packing materials accepted for Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) include foam, air pillows, bubble wrap, and full sheets of paper. However, styrofoam peanuts, biodegradable packing peanuts, cornstarch packing peanuts, crinkle wrap, and shredded paper are not accepted for packaging items.
Pallets
Pallets used for WFS shipments must adhere to specific requirements, including the use of 40" x 48", 4-way-access, solid-wood, Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) Standard Grade A pallets. These pallets can weigh up to 1,500 lb. and measure up to 72" in height. They may contain a single SKU or mixed SKUs, with physical separation required if multiples are included on the same pallet. Pallets must be in good condition, accessible, and movable using a standard pallet jack. Double-stacked pallets are permitted but must meet additional criteria, including a maximum height of 108", corner board usage for stability, arrangement for accessibility by a forklift from the same side, and stretch wrapping to prevent damage during shipping and ensure associate safety during unloading. Additionally, boxes used for WFS shipments must specify whether they contain single or mixed SKUs, include the carton number, and be labeled with "Team Lift" or "Mech Lift" based on weight. It's crucial to remove any previous shipping labels or markings from reused boxes, and pallets must be labeled with each shipment ID on each side. Sellers can print standard shipment labels from the seller portal for all shipments.
Packaging Fees
Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) imposes packaging and fulfillment fees based on the shipping weight of items. For packages weighing up to 1 lb., the standard base fee per unit is $3.45, increasing incrementally for heavier packages, such as $4.95 for 2 lb. and $5.45 for 3 lb. For packages weighing between 4 and 20 lb., the fee is $5.75 plus $0.40 for each additional pound above 4 lb. Similarly, packages weighing between 21 and 30 lb. incur a fee of $15.55 plus $0.40 for each pound over 21 lb. For packages weighing between 31 and 50 lb., the fulfillment fee is $14.55 plus $0.40 for each pound over 31 lb. For packages weighing 51 lb. and above, the fee is $17.55 plus $0.40 for each pound over 51 lb.
Additional fees may apply based on certain criteria. Items classified as apparel incur an additional fee of $0.50 per unit, while those containing hazardous materials or priced under $10 also add $0.50 and $1, respectively, to the standard fee. Oversized items, meeting specific dimensional criteria, entail additional charges of either $3 or $20 per unit, depending on the size range they fall into. It's important to note that the unit weight for determining the fulfillment fee starts at 90 lb.
Bulky Item Packaging Fees
Big and bulky items are handled through freight shipping, categorized by meeting specific criteria: exceeding 150 lb. in unit weight, having a longest side between 108 and 120 inches, or a longest side plus girth greater than 165 inches. Shipping weight is calculated by rounding up the unit weight to the nearest pound. For items up to 500 lb., the base fee is $155 plus $0.80 per pound exceeding 90 lb. No additional fulfillment fees are applied.
Storage Fees
Regarding storage fees, the cost is determined by the volume of stored items and the duration. For items stored fewer than 365 days, the fee is $0.75 per cubic foot per month from January to September, and the same rate applies from October to December for items stored for fewer than or up to 30 days. Items stored for over 30 days incur an additional $1.50 per cubic foot per month. For items stored more than 365 days, the fee is up to $7.50 per cubic foot per month after the initial year.
In conclusion, understanding and adhering to Walmart's packaging requirements are crucial for sellers aiming to optimize their fulfillment operations and enhance the customer experience on Walmart.com. By meeting these stringent guidelines, sellers can ensure the timely processing of inventory and the efficient delivery of orders to customers. Whether it's labeling items appropriately, selecting approved packaging materials, or adhering to pallet specifications, attention to detail in packaging preparation is key. Moreover, comprehending the associated packaging fees and storage costs enables sellers to make informed decisions to manage their expenses effectively. Ultimately, by embracing Walmart's packaging requirements, sellers can elevate their brand reputation, drive sales, and foster long-term success in the competitive eCommerce landscape. We hope you have a clearer understanding of the restrictions and guidelines of Walmart’s packaging and fulfillment!
Thank You,
Commerce Canal Team
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