How WFS Works in Simple Terms

Without WFS, you ship every Walmart order yourself or through your own 3PL. With WFS, the flow looks like this:

1. You choose which items to fulfill with WFS in Seller Center.
2. You create an inbound shipment plan.
3. You prepare, label and send your inventory to the Walmart fulfillment centers assigned to you.
4. Walmart receives your inventory and makes it available for sale.
5. When a customer orders, Walmart ships it, and handles customer questions and returns for that order.

You still manage your listings, pricing and inventory levels. Walmart handles the physical side.

Why Sellers Use WFS

• Faster shipping: WFS items can be eligible for fast shipping offers that shoppers like to see.
• Less daily work: no packing boxes or buying labels for every order.
• Returns and customer service: Walmart handles these for WFS orders.
• Room to grow: it's easier to handle more orders without hiring more help.

What WFS Costs

WFS has fees, mainly a fulfillment fee per unit (based on things like size and weight) and monthly storage fees, plus possible extra fees for things like long-term storage or special handling. These fees are separate from Walmart's referral fees on each sale.

Walmart updates its WFS fees from time to time, so I won't list numbers here. Check the current WFS fee pages in Walmart Seller Help and use them to work out your real profit per unit before you send anything in.

Is WFS Right for Your Products?

WFS usually makes the most sense when:

• The product sells regularly, not once in a while.
• It's not oversized or very heavy compared to its price.
• Your profit margin still works after fulfillment and storage fees.
• You can keep it in stock so your listing doesn't go out of stock.

It may not be a good fit for slow sellers, very low-priced items with thin margins, or products that are restricted from WFS. Walmart keeps a list of items that can't be sent to WFS, such as certain hazardous materials, so check eligibility first.

Step-by-Step: Getting Started with WFS

Step 1: Make Sure Your Account Is Ready

You need an active Walmart Marketplace seller account in good standing. Review the WFS requirements in Seller Help to confirm you're eligible.

Step 2: Choose and Convert Your Items

In Seller Center, choose the items you want to fulfill with WFS and set them up for WFS. Start with a few of your best-selling products instead of your whole catalog. This lets you learn the process with lower risk.

Step 3: Create an Inbound Shipment

Create an inbound order in Seller Center. You'll enter the items and quantities you're sending. Walmart will tell you which fulfillment center or centers to send them to.

Step 4: Prep and Label Your Inventory

This is where many new sellers make mistakes. Follow Walmart's prep and labeling requirements exactly:

• Each unit needs a scannable barcode that matches the item in Seller Center.
• Some items need extra prep, like poly bags or bubble wrap.
• Boxes need the correct shipment labels.

If your inventory isn't prepped correctly, receiving can be delayed or you may be charged extra fees.

Step 5: Ship to Walmart

Send your boxes using Walmart's carrier options or your own carrier. Add tracking to the inbound order so Walmart knows it's on the way.

Step 6: Track Receiving and Go Live

Once Walmart receives and checks in your inventory, it becomes available for WFS orders. Watch the inbound order status and fix any problems Walmart flags.

Managing WFS After You Start

• Watch your stock levels. Reorder early so you don't go out of stock.
• Don't overstock. Too much inventory means higher storage costs.
• Review your reports. Check sales, storage and fees regularly.
• Keep your pricing competitive. Fast shipping helps, but price still matters.

WFS vs. Shipping Orders Yourself

Here's a simple way to compare the two options for any product:

• Shipping yourself: you control packaging and costs, and you don't pay storage fees. But you spend time on every order, and you must meet Walmart's shipping and tracking standards on your own.
• Using WFS: Walmart handles the packing, shipping, returns and customer service for those orders, and your item may qualify for faster shipping offers. In return, you pay fulfillment and storage fees and need to plan inventory ahead.

A practical approach is to list the product, ship a few orders yourself to see how well it sells, and then move it to WFS once you know it sells steadily and the numbers still work. That way you're not paying to store products that haven't proven themselves yet.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Sending your whole catalog on day one. Start small and learn the process.
• Ignoring fees. Calculate profit after fulfillment, storage and referral fees.
• Wrong barcodes or labels. This is one of the biggest causes of receiving delays.
• Sending slow-moving products. Storage costs add up on items that don't sell.
• Sending restricted items. Always check WFS eligibility first.
• Letting stock run out. Plan reorders based on how fast items sell.

FAQ

Do I need WFS to sell on Walmart?

No. You can ship orders yourself or use your own 3PL. WFS is optional.

Can I use WFS for some items and ship others myself?

Yes. Many sellers use WFS for their best sellers and fulfill other items themselves.

Who handles returns for WFS orders?

Walmart handles returns and customer service for WFS orders. Check Seller Help for the current details on how returned items are handled.

Is WFS like Amazon FBA?

The idea is similar: you send inventory to the marketplace and they fulfill orders. The rules, fees and requirements are different, so don't assume something that works on FBA works the same way on WFS.

Final Thoughts

WFS can save you a lot of time and help your listings stand out with faster shipping, but only if the numbers work. Start with a few steady sellers, follow the prep rules carefully and keep an eye on fees and stock levels. Once the process is smooth, you can add more products with confidence.

Written by Kausar Ali Hazoori, e-commerce operator and CEO of Grow My Income LLC.