How to Send Inventory to Walmart WFS

Short answer: To send inventory to Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS), you create a shipping plan in Seller Center, label every sellable unit with a scannable GTIN or UPC barcode (FNSKU and EAN labels are not accepted), put a WFS receiving label on every box or pallet, ship by parcel or freight, and add tracking. Most receiving delays come from wrong or missing labels, poor packaging or no shipping plan.

Walmart's marketplace keeps growing, and more Amazon sellers are adding WFS as a second fulfillment channel. But WFS is not a copy of FBA. The barcode rules, box labels and prep options are different, and a shipment that would be fine at Amazon can sit in receiving at Walmart. This guide walks through each step using Walmart's own Marketplace Learn guides, which we checked on November 8, 2026.

What is Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS)?

WFS is Walmart's fulfillment program for Marketplace sellers. You send inventory to Walmart fulfillment centers, and Walmart picks, packs and ships orders, and handles customer service and returns. According to Walmart, items can be up to 500 lb and up to 120" x 105" x 93" including packaging. Items that need temperature control, regulated items and anything on the WFS or Marketplace prohibited products lists are not accepted. Inventory must ship from inside the U.S. or be cleared through U.S. customs before it reaches Walmart.

Step 1: Create a shipping plan in Seller Center

Walmart says plainly: "You must create a shipping plan before you send your items to a WFS fulfillment center." Inventory that shows up without a plan is one of the reasons Walmart lists for slow receiving.

1. Start the plan: In Seller Center, open Shipping Plans and select Create plan. Choose U.S. domestic or Cross Border.
2. Add items: Search your catalog or upload a spreadsheet, then enter unit counts and how the items are packed.
3. Choose distribution: If the plan splits into several shipments, distribute the inventory yourself or use Walmart's Inventory Transfer Service.
4. Select shipping: Pick the carrier and shipping type, and enter master case or pallet details for each shipment.
5. Add contact details: Add a pickup contact and hours if Walmart's carrier is picking up.
6. Review and create: Check each shipment and create the plan.

Tip: Accurate unit counts matter. Walmart uses them to decide which fulfillment centers receive your inventory. You can cancel a plan only as a whole, and not once any shipment is in transit.

Step 2: Label every unit with a GTIN or UPC

This is where Amazon sellers most often get caught. Walmart's labeling guide says each unit needs "a readable and scannable label with GTIN (14 digits) or UPC (12 digits)," and that "EAN, vendor SKU number and FNSKU number are not acceptable barcodes or product identifiers."

• Where: On the outermost part of the sellable unit, never only on the shipping box.
• Old barcodes: Cover them. Walmart warns that old manufacturer barcodes can confuse the fulfillment center and cause delays. That includes leftover Amazon FNSKU stickers on inventory you move from FBA.
• Variants: Each size, color or other variant needs its own unique barcode.
• Country of origin: Every item must be clearly and permanently marked with its country of origin.
• Print quality: Walmart recommends a printer of 300 DPI or better, labels of at least 4" x 6" for box labels, and scanning a test barcode before you print the whole run.

You can print GTIN labels from the Inventory page in Seller Center by selecting items and choosing Print GTIN label.

Step 3: Prep and pack items the WFS way

WFS packaging rules are about keeping each unit protected and contained. Key rules from Walmart's prepare-and-pack guide:

• Poly bags: At least 1.5 mm thick, completely sealed, with a barcode that scans through the bag or sits on the outside. Bags with an opening of 5 inches or more need a suffocation warning.
• Sold as set: Units sold together must be sealed so they can't come apart and labeled as a set. WFS prep does not bundle sets for you.
• Liquids: Seal the opening, shrink-wrap or bag them. If you don't, WFS bags the item as unplanned prep for an extra fee.
• Loose and sharp items: Bag or band loose pieces, and keep sharp edges fully covered.
• Large or heavy items: Items that don't fit in a 25" x 20" x 14" box, weigh 25 lb or more, or measure 1.6 cubic feet or more ship as they are, without extra boxing. Heavy items such as small appliances should be palletized.
• Expiration dates: Items that expire within 60 days are not received.

Step 4: Put a receiving label on every box or pallet

The WFS receiving label is not a carrier label. It tells the fulfillment center which shipment the box belongs to. Download it from the Shipping Plans page (View plan) and place it left of center on the longest side of each box, or on top if that side won't work.

Mixed-SKU boxes: Don't show item barcodes on the outside of the box. Walmart asks for three STOP labels reading "STOP | MIXED MERCHANDISE | RECEIVE AS BREAK PACK," one on each long side and one on top, with at least one near the receiving label.

Step 5: Ship it and add tracking

• Small parcel: No delivery appointment needed.
• LTL and full truckload: The carrier books a delivery appointment through Walmart's Scheduler 2.0 and shows the confirmation number at the gate. Freight needs a bill of lading.
• Walmart Preferred Carrier: Walmart's discounted carrier program, which uses its own carrier label.
• Your own carrier: Attach the receiving label and the carrier label, schedule pickup to the ship-to address on your plan, then add tracking numbers in Shipping Plans under "Tracking needed."

Step 6: Track receiving

Walmart says receiving usually takes about two business days after arrival. It can take up to 10 business days when items need unplanned prep, labels are wrong, there is no shipping plan, or during peak season, which Walmart defines as October 1 to December 31. If you are restocking for the holidays, the cleanest shipments get on the shelf first.

Does WFS offer prep services?

Yes, but only two kinds: poly bagging and item labeling. You request them for single-SKU items when you build the shipping plan, and you can't change them after you submit. Walmart prioritizes planned prep over unplanned prep. Bundling, kitting, sets, inspection, removing old labels and building cartons are still on you, which is why many sellers send inventory through a 3PL or prep center first.

WFS vs. Amazon FBA: quick differences

• Unit barcode: WFS takes GTIN or UPC; it does not accept FNSKU labels for receiving.
• Box label: WFS uses its own receiving label, separate from any carrier label.
• Mixed boxes: WFS asks for STOP "receive as break pack" labels.
• Prep: WFS still offers bagging and labeling as a paid option. Amazon ended FBA prep and item labeling in the U.S. on January 1, 2026 (see our earlier post on prep and labeling rules).

Common mistakes that slow WFS receiving

1. Shipping Amazon-labeled inventory without covering the FNSKU.
2. No unique barcode for each variant.
3. Unsealed or too-thin poly bags, or missing suffocation warnings.
4. Receiving labels missing, smudged or on the wrong side of the box.
5. Mixed-SKU boxes with item barcodes showing outside.
6. Unit counts in the plan that don't match what's in the boxes.

FAQ

Can I use FNSKU labels for Walmart WFS?

No. Walmart states that FNSKU, EAN and vendor SKU numbers are not acceptable identifiers. Use a GTIN (14 digits) or UPC (12 digits), and cover old labels.

Do I need a shipping plan before sending inventory to WFS?

Yes. Walmart requires a shipping plan in Seller Center before items go to a WFS fulfillment center.

How long does WFS take to receive inventory?

About two business days after arrival, according to Walmart, and up to 10 business days for shipments that need fixes or during peak season (October 1 to December 31).

Where does the WFS receiving label go?

Left of center on the longest side of each box, or on top if that isn't possible. One per box or pallet.

Does WFS bundle items into sets?

No. WFS prep covers poly bagging and item labeling only. Sets must be bundled, sealed and labeled "sold as set" before you ship.

Do parcel shipments to WFS need an appointment?

No. Only LTL and truckload freight need a delivery appointment through Scheduler 2.0.

Rules checked on Walmart Marketplace Learn on November 8, 2026. Walmart updates its guides often, so confirm current requirements in Seller Center before you ship.

Work with SN International LLC

SN International LLC (SNILLC) helps sellers and businesses get inventory ready the right way. We sell 100% genuine brand-name office, school and facility supplies that come from the brand, never counterfeit or closeout, with B2B wholesale pricing and B2C retail in one store. We ship nationwide from California, and real people answer the phone Monday to Friday. If you are planning a Walmart WFS or Amazon FBA restock, talk to us about prep, labeling and fulfillment. We aim to be the best and most competitive choice for your business.