Preparing to ship 

Once you have a WFS shipping plan, you’ll need to label, prepare and package your inventory for our fulfillment centers. Follow these requirements:

• All items must be protected in a sealed or closed container, ready for sale.
• Packaging for WFS items must reasonably protect the item from damage during shipping and keep the item contained throughout transit.
• Packaging must also protect the carrier, warehouse associates and the customer from safety hazards during receiving or unpacking. 

You can test your own packaging or send it out for testing at a testing facility. Walmart may test an item’s packaging at any time. Items that do not meet packaging requirements or exhibit a high damage rate may be rejected by Walmart. If an item is damaged when we test it due to insufficient packaging, your inventory will be adjusted for the damaged unit without compensation. This may result in unplanned prep, return or disposal of remaining inventory at your expense.

Sharp items 

These are any items that have a sharp or pointed edge such that, when exposed, the edge would present a safety hazard to associates, carriers or customers receiving or unpacking the item. 

• Sharp items must be packaged so that during the process of order fulfillment (i.e., receipt, stocking, shipment preparation and transit to the customer), the sharp or pointed edge won’t become exposed. 

• Outer shipping boxes with sharp items inside should be labeled accordingly.  

Liquids and powders

Liquids (i.e., items that are or contain liquids, pastes, gels and creams) must be packaged so that in the normal course of order fulfillment (i.e., receipt, stocking, shipment preparation and transit to the customer), the item does not leak. Any items that leak or pose a safety risk may be rejected by WFS and returned at your expense.

Single and multi-unit bundled liquid items in corrugated containers must meet the following criteria:  

• Item is in a six-sided box. 

• Outer shipping box has clear markings indicating which box side is the top.  

• Item packaging should be tested to confirm that it can withstand normal transit forces.

Fragile

This applies to any item of delicate material or construction, or any item in need of careful handling to avoid breakage or damage. This includes glass, ceramic, electronic and other breakable items. These items may present a safety hazard to associates, carriers or customers receiving or unpacking the item. Fragile items must be packaged so that in the normal course of the fulfillment process, they won’t be broken, damaged or exposed.

Packaging requirements:  

• Items must come in a six-sided rigid box, so the item is not exposed in any way. 

• We recommend lab testing your fragile items’ packaging to ensure it will withstand transit. 

Batteries

One of the major risks with the transport of batteries and battery-powered equipment is a short circuit of the battery due to the battery terminals coming into contact with other batteries, metal objects or conductive surfaces.

Packaged batteries or cells must be separated to prevent short circuits and damage to terminals. They must be packed in strong outer packaging or be contained in equipment that can be stored and prepared safely for shipment.  

• Permitted packaging materials (rigid packaging): original manufacturer packaging, boxes and clamshell plastics.  

• Batteries can be shipped with other non-battery items in the shipping box if the batteries are properly packaged to avoid contact with other items. A Department of Transportation (DOT) label must be applied outside the carton with a mixed SKUs marker or label.  

• Multiple types of batteries can be packaged in the same shipping box if all types of hazmat labels are on the same surface of the box, not one on each side of the box. All batteries must be separated in such a way as to prevent short circuits and damage to terminals.

• If multi-pack batteries are sealed in the original manufacturer packaging, no additional boxing or sealing of batteries is required. If the batteries are repackaged, then sealed boxes or sealed hard, plastic clamshell packaging is required.

Battery labeling:  

• Shipping boxes must be marked to meet DOT regulations. Boxes shipped to fulfillment centers that do not comply with DOT regulations must be re-labeled, at your expense, before shipping to customers.   

• Markings cannot be obstructed or covered by any other labeling. Labels cannot be folded over the edge of the box.  

Sold as set

Items that are sold as a set (excluding multi-box items) must be identified on their packaging. Units should contain a label clearly stating the item should be received and sold as a single unit (i.e., “Sold as set”). Sets should be packaged together.

Not permitted: Separate units within a set. Permitted: Units clearly labeled as a set and sealed so they can’t be separated.

Loose items  

Each unit must be contained within a single, secure package (excluding multi-box items). 

• WFS won’t accept units that require assembly of multiple pieces by associates. 

• Units that aren’t contained in secure packaging, like loose sleeves or pouches, must be bagged or secured with a non-adhesive band or removable tape.

Valuables  

Items like sunglasses, jewelry, watches, etc. must be shipped within its case and assembled prior to shipping. The packaging must be sealed with tamper-evident security seal. Generally, these items should be in a sealed box or poly bag. The item's outer packaging must have a GTIN or UPC and be individually packaged in a sealed, tamper-proof box.

Inflatable balls 

All balls must be inflated. 

Heavy items (palletizing) 

Palletize heavy items like small appliances. Go to WFS shipping plans: Pallet requirements to learn how.

Items shipped as-is 

Items must be prepared to ship as-is, without being over-boxed, if any of the following is true:   

• Item does not fit in a 25” x 20” x 14” box

• Weighs 30 lb. or more

• Has volume of 3.25 cubic feet or more

Packing types

Poly bags with a 5-inch opening or larger must have a suffocation warning, either printed on the bag or attached as a label. 

• The warning should be printed or placed in a visible location and in a legible font size for the size of the bag. 

• The thickness of the bag must be at least 1.5 mm. 

• The poly bag must be completely sealed. 

• The poly bag must have a GTIN or UPC barcode scannable through the bag or on the outside of the bag.

For guidelines on the shipping box and packing material, go to WFS shipping plans: Master case requirements.
   

Packaging inserts 

Packaging inserts and other forms of marketing materials are acceptable if they don’t advertise competing services

A note about expiration dates 

All perishable items must have an expiration or “best by” date. Walmart considers any item with a shelf life, or that loses effectiveness with time, to be perishable, even if an expiration date is not indicated on the manufacturer packaging. Perishable items include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Any sellable unit of an item that has an expiration date printed on the product or its packaging. Sellable units refer to the defined quantity of the item that can be purchased by a customer.

• Consumable items such as snacks, tea leaves, and nutritional supplements, whether for human or animal consumption 

• Topical items that are intended for human or animal use, such as skin creams, soaps, shampoos, hair sprays, and cosmetics 

• Cleaning items such as wipes, cleaning sprays and solutions, and detergents 

• Items that include components that can expire, such as a coffee machine that is sold bundled with coffee

All perishable items should be labeled with their expiration dates. Follow these guidelines to ensure your products adhere to Walmart requirements:  

• Expiration or “best by” dates must be displayed in the format MM-DD-YYYY. If you don’t know the exact date, use the first day of the expiration month.

• For perishable items contained in packaging that requires additional prep, such as glass jars or bottles, make sure the expiration date is visible when it’s received by the fulfillment center.

• WFS cannot accept perishable items requiring temperature control. (For example, ice cream that needs to be kept in a freezer.)

To ensure customers receive items with a long shelf life, we reject perishable items that do not have an expiration date, and reject or remove inventory that’s about to expire or is approaching its “best by” date:

Items denied for receiving or removed from inventory due to date will be returned or disposed of at your expense.