A Comprehensive Guide to Walmart Fulfillment Services 

To sell successfully on the Walmart marketplace, having a solid marketing strategy isn’t enough. You need to have an efficient order fulfillment process to streamline your order management and ensure customer satisfaction. 

Thankfully, Walmart has its own fulfillment services to help sellers store, pick, pack, and ship their orders on the Walmart marketplace. 

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In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the world of Walmart Fulfillment Services, looking at how it works, and the benefits it offers. 

What are Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS)? 

Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) is a service designed to respond to the growing demand for efficient order fulfillment in the ecommerce space. 

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Launched in 2020, WFS aims to provide sellers on the Walmart marketplace with a streamlined and reliable way to handle order processing, storage, and shipping. This service is designed to help sellers scale their businesses, free of challenges. 

Requirements for using Walmart Fulfillment Services

While Walmart Fulfillment Services offers a range of benefits, not all sellers are automatically eligible to use the service. There are certain criteria and requirements that you must meet to enroll in WFS: 

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• Must be a Walmart Marketplace seller: To use Walmart Fulfillment Services, you must already be registered and approved to sell on the Walmart marketplace. This involves creating a Walmart seller center account, providing necessary documentation, and meeting Walmart's seller standards.
• Product eligibility: Not all products are eligible for Walmart Fulfillment Services. Certain categories and types of products may be excluded due to size, weight, or other logistical constraints. Ensure you check your product’s eligibility before shipping them to Walmart’s fulfillment centers.
• Quality and compliance: Walmart maintains strict quality and compliance standards for products enrolled in WFS. This includes packaging requirements, labeling guidelines, and Walmart's overall product quality standards. You want to ensure that your products meet these criteria.
• Fulfillment center placement: Keep in mind that Walmart determines the fulfillment center(s) where your products will be stored, so be prepared to send your inventory to the designated fulfillment center(s).
• Agreement and fees: Enrolling in Walmart Fulfillment Services involves entering into an agreement with Walmart. Ensure you take the time to review the terms and conditions of this agreement, including the associated fees. Consider the cost implications and how they may impact your overall profitability.

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How does Walmart Fulfillment Services work? 

With Walmart Fulfillment Services, when a customer places an order on Walmart.com, the WFS team picks, packs, and ships that order on your behalf. Here’s how WFS works: 

• Before you can ship orders through Walmart Fulfillment Services, you'll need to join the Walmart Marketplace. Walmart requires specific information to complete the application, including your U.S. business tax ID and an EIN Verification Letter from the IRS. 
• Next, you need to ensure that your products are eligible for Walmart Fulfillment Services. Ensure you review the eligibility criteria to confirm that your products can be fulfilled through WFS. 
• Next, prepare your inventory for shipment to designated Walmart fulfillment centers. Walmart provides guidance on packaging requirements and shipping instructions. Properly following these instructions is crucial to ensure a smooth fulfillment process. 
• Walmart then receives your inventory at the designated fulfillment center(s). The products are then stored in these fulfillment centers until they are ordered by customers.
• When an order is confirmed, Walmart Fulfillment Services kicks into action to fulfill that order. They handle the picking and packing of items from the stored inventory. The products are then securely packed following Walmart's packaging standards and shipped to the customer.

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Features of the Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS)

With Walmart Fulfillment Services, you don’t have to worry about providing efficient order fulfillment services. Walmart handles everything from inventory storage to picking, packing, shipping, and customer service. 

1. Order fulfillment process

The WFS process begins when your customer places an order on the Walmart website. Once the order is confirmed, Walmart then takes over the packing, and shipping processes, ensuring that the products reach the customer on time. With this fulfillment service, you can simplify the order fulfillment process and improve your overall customer experience.

2. Inventory storage

One of the key features of WFS is its storage capabilities. You can send your inventory to Walmart fulfillment centers, where the products are stored until they are ordered. This not only frees up the time and cost of managing your own storage but also allows for faster shipping times. 

3. Picking and packing

When an order is placed, Walmart Fulfillment Services takes care of picking the items, packing them securely, and preparing them for shipment. This ensures that the products are handled carefully and professionally, reducing the likelihood of damage during transportation.

4. Shipping

Walmart uses its extensive network of logistics to efficiently ship products to customers. This includes leveraging partnerships with various carriers and optimizing routes for timely delivery.

5. Customer service

Walmart Fulfillment Services also extends to customer service. If customers have questions or issues related to their orders, they can contact Walmart's customer support for assistance. This integrated approach helps ensure a seamless experience for the end consumer.

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Benefits of using Walmart Fulfillment Services

Here are a few benefits that come with using the Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS): 

1. Access to Walmart's logistics network

One of the most significant advantages of opting for Walmart Fulfillment Services is gaining access to the retail giant's extensive logistics network. Walmart has strategically located fulfillment centers across the United States, allowing for faster and more cost-effective shipping. This can be a game-changer if you're looking to compete on speed and reliability.

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2. Reduced shipping times

With products already stored in Walmart fulfillment centers, the time it takes to pick, pack, and ship an order is significantly reduced. This results in shorter shipping times, which is a crucial factor in meeting customer expectations and improving satisfaction. Faster shipping also contributes to a positive impact on a your performance metrics on the Walmart marketplace.

3. Enhanced visibility and tracking

Walmart provides you and your customers with real-time tracking information for orders fulfilled through WFS. This transparency not only helps you keep track of your inventory and shipments but also allows customers to monitor the status of their orders from the moment of purchase to delivery. This visibility can lead to increased trust and confidence in your business.

4. Scalability 

If you’re looking to scale your ecommerce operations, Walmart Fulfillment Services offers a scalable solution. By outsourcing the fulfillment process to Walmart, you can focus on your marketing efforts, and other aspects of your business without worrying about the complexities of order processing and logistics.

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Downsides to using the Walmart Fulfillment Services

While Walmart Fulfillment Services offers numerous benefits, it is important to be aware of potential challenges that may come with using WFS: 

1. Costs

While the convenience of WFS is undeniable, it is important to factor in the associated costs. Fulfillment fees, storage fees, and other charges may impact your overall profitability. It's crucial to carefully analyze the fee structure and assess whether the benefits outweigh the costs.

2. Product eligibility and restrictions

Not all products are suitable for Walmart Fulfillment Services. It is important to ensure that your products meet the eligibility criteria and comply with any restrictions imposed by Walmart. Failure to do so could result in delays, additional fees, or even suspension from the program.

3. Loss of control

Outsourcing fulfillment to a third party means relinquishing some control over the process. While Walmart is a trusted partner, you will need to be comfortable with the idea of entrusting your inventory and order fulfillment to an external party.

4. Onboarding process

The onboarding process, including sending inventory to Walmart fulfillment centers and integrating with the WFS platform, requires careful attention to detail. You will need to allocate sufficient time and resources to ensure a smooth transition to WFS.

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Can any seller use the Walmart Fulfilment Services? 

Not every seller is automatically eligible to use Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS). As we have outlined in this article, Walmart has specific criteria and requirements that sellers must meet to qualify for and enroll in WFS. It's important to carefully review the eligibility criteria and requirements outlined by Walmart. Keep in mind that eligibility requirements and policies may change, You want to stay up-to-date on the latest using your Walmart Seller Center. 

Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) fees 

Walmart Fulfillment services offer a clear pricing structure, making it easy for you to estimate your costs and plan. Here are the fees for using the Walmart fulfillment fees: 

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• Order fulfillment fee: This fee is charged based on the weight of the order. Units that weigh less than 1 lb. will use the unit weight to determine the fee. If the unit weight is over 1 lb., you’ll use whichever is greater. This could be either the unit weight or the dimensional weight (whichever is greater). Products like apparel and hazardous items incur additional fulfillment fees. 
• Storage fee: This fee is charged based on the volume (in cubic inches) of the item and the length of time it is stored. You can use the WFS calculator available on the Walmart website to estimate the storage fee.

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Related read: Walmart Fulfillment Services vs. Fulfillment by Amazon

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Streamline your orders with Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS)

Walmart Fulfillment Services is a meaningful step in the right direction for sellers looking to streamline their operations and enhance customer satisfaction. By leveraging Walmart's extensive logistics network and infrastructure, you can focus on growing your business while Walmart takes care of the intricate details of order fulfillment. 

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