If you’re a Marketplace seller with an existing catalog, you might want to start using Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) for some of your products. Here’s a simple guide on how to switch your items to Walmart fulfillment.
You can convert a single item or several items to Walmart fulfillment through the Seller Center. If you’re converting multiple items, use the Conversion Spec sheet. Make sure your items are initially set up as seller-fulfilled, free from errors, not restricted by WFS, and that the offer end date is still valid.
To convert a single item
- Sign in to Seller Center and go to the ‘Items’ in the Product Catalog section.
- Locate your item by using one of these identifiers:
SKU
Item ID (Walmart)
Item name
GTIN
UPC
- At the end of the item row, click the 3 dots and choose ‘Fulfill with WFS.’
- Update the required offer, fulfillment, and compliance details for the item and click ‘Submit.’ Check the status in the Activity Feed after a few minutes.
To convert Multiple Items
- Sign in to Walmart Seller Center and go to the Items section.
- Select the items you want to convert, then go to the ‘More actions’ menu and choose ‘Fulfill items with WFS’.
- Select items by GTIN match or category, and Walmart will create a template for your selected items.
By GTIN Match
When you use GTIN matching, Walmart will automatically fill in the specification with data from the catalog. Simply enter your GTINs, separated by commas, into the text box. (If you don’t know an item’s GTIN, you can find it on your Inventory page.)
After clicking Match, the system will check the GTINs. If there are any problems, you won’t be able to download the spec. Common issues include:
- Submitting items listed in more than seven categories at once
- Entering invalid GTINs
- Exceeding the 5,000 GTIN limit
Once your GTINs are approved, processing the spec may take some time before your file is available for download.
By Category
To download a blank category specification, choose “By Category.” This allows you to update multiple items within the same category simultaneously. Select the relevant category from the dropdown menu, then click the ‘Download’ button to download the file.
Keep in mind that attributes vary by category, so be sure to select the correct one.
WFS Item Specification Sheet
The Item Specification Sheet (Spec Sheet) helps you to create or convert items in bulk. It includes two types of tabs: one for category settings and one for trade item configurations. To set up your items, you need to fill in the required information on both tabs.
Category Tab
Complete the section titled “Required for Walmart Fulfillment Services.” To view definitions for each field, click on, double-click, or enable wrap text in the sixth row.
In addition to the required fields, you can add extra details in the “Recommended for Walmart Fulfillment Services” section to enhance customer search and browsing.
If you’re listing multiple variations of the same item (like shoes in different colors or shirts in various sizes), it’s advisable to create a variant group.
Hazmat Items
Walmart requires additional screening for items with potentially hazardous components or chemicals before they can be included in their fulfillment program. Refer to the two color-coded hazmat sections in the specification to provide crucial details about your items. This allows Walmart to determine if the item poses any hazards. The compliance review is based on the item’s GTIN/UPC rather than its SKU. If you update the GTIN/UPC after the review, the item will need to undergo the review process once more before it can be added to your WFS inventory.
Definitions of Hazardous Materials
Chemical: Includes items with liquid, gel, paste, or powder not for eating, and items labeled with “Drug Facts” or “Supplements” for ingestion or absorption.
Examples: Nail polish, shampoo, conditioner, hair color, perfume, makeup, essential oils, detergents, vitamins, supplements, paints, stains, engine treatments, etc.
Aerosol: Includes products with compressed gas or propellants, including bag-on-valve and other pressurized designs.
Examples: Hairspray, spray cleaners, canned air, CO2 cartridges, etc.
Pesticide: Includes items claiming to kill, repel, or prevent the growth of organisms (plants, insects, rodents, bacteria, viruses, mold).
The definition of a pesticide encompasses devices, objects treated with regular pesticides, and those treated with minimum-risk pesticides under FIFRA 25(b).
Examples: Disinfectants, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, repellents, flea and tick medicine, antimicrobial products, etc.
Battery or Battery-Containing Product: Includes items with a battery or components with a battery, including reusable packaging.
Examples: Hoverboards, laptops, power banks, generators, portable speakers, vehicle jump starters, etc.
Trade Item Configurations Tab
IMPORTANT: Walmart needs products listed in the same order in both the ‘category tab’ and the ‘trade items tab’. If they don’t match, the spec will be rejected.
A trade item is a logistical unit such as Each, Inner Pack, Case, or Pallet. The trade item hierarchy shows how these units are related. This hierarchy helps Walmart create a supply item for your setup, ensuring it can be received at Walmart’s fulfillment centers. Use this tab to detail how items are shipped and delivered.
The dimensions listed here help determine if the item fits in Walmart’s fulfillment centers.
NOTE: Make sure item dimensions are correct. Walmart will measure items upon receipt, and discrepancies could affect WFS fees.
Upload the Completed Spec
Once you’ve completed the spec, upload it back to the same page where you downloaded it.
Pre-Validation of Your Spec
Walmart’s system will swiftly check for issues like missing details, incorrect data, or invalid numbers. If it finds any problems, an error spec will automatically download to your browser. Fix these errors and reupload the updated spec.
Track Status
After submitting a single item or spec, check the status a few minutes later in the Activity Feed.
The Activity Feed provides:
Feed ID: Reference ID from your upload
Status: Shows if the file is processed (“Processed”), has errors, or is under review (“Error”)
Error Report: Click the download icon for the error report
By converting your seller-fulfilled items to WFS, you can take advantage of Walmart’s robust fulfillment network, providing a better shopping experience for your customers and potentially boosting your sales. Let Staffcloud handle the complexities of the WFS conversion process, so you can enjoy the benefits of enhanced fulfillment without the hassle.
At Staffcloud, we specialize in streamlining the transition from seller-fulfilled listings to Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS). Our comprehensive service includes everything from inventory assessment and product listing optimization to ensuring compliance with Walmart’s stringent guidelines.
Contact us at: support@staffcloud.net to learn more about our services.