How To Convert Items and Send Inventory To WFS

The Complete WFS Setup Guide: Convert, Ship, and Profit

Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) is a game-changer for sellers ready to scale. Instead of hand-packing orders from your garage (or paying a 3PL), you send inventory to Walmart's fulfillment centers. They pick, pack, and ship. You get the "Fulfilled by Walmart" badge and 2-day shipping eligibility.

But the setup can be confusing if you've only sold through Merchant Fulfilled or used FBA on Amazon. This guide walks you through the exact steps: converting items to WFS, creating shipping plans, prepping your inventory, and sending it to Walmart's fulfillment centers.

Step 1: Convert Your Items to WFS-Ready Status

Understanding the Conversion Process

Converting items from Merchant Fulfilled to WFS means:

• Your listings will be fulfilled by Walmart (not you)
• You won't handle shipping
• Your items will need WFS-specific metadata (dimensions, weight, barcodes)

How to Convert Items in Seller Center

1. Go to Inventory → Manage Inventory

In your Walmart Seller Center, navigate to the Inventory section and select "Manage Inventory." You'll see all your active listings.

2. Select items to convert

You can convert items individually or in bulk:

• Individual: Click on a single item, then select "Convert to WFS"
• Bulk: Use CSV bulk upload (recommended if converting 50+ items)

3. Add WFS-Required Information

For each item, you'll need to provide:

Why these matter:

• Dimensions & weight determine which fulfillment center can store your item and how shipping costs are calculated
• Barcodes help Walmart's system track your inventory through receiving and fulfillment
• Item type determines category-specific WFS fees and handling

4. Verify Information

Before submitting, review all information for accuracy. Mistakes here can slow down receiving at the fulfillment center.

Step 3: Prep Your Inventory

Physical Preparation

Before shipping to Walmart, your inventory must be prepped:

1. Quality Check

• Inspect items for damage or defects
• Remove any that don't meet standards
• Test electronics if applicable

2. Labeling

• Each item needs a barcode or UPC label
• Labels should be scannable (no folds or damage)
• Place labels on the item itself or packaging

3. Packaging for Shipment

• Use boxes that protect items during transit
• Don't oversell boxes (Walmart scans each unit)
• Keep boxes under 50 lbs each (Walmart weight limit per box)
• Use packing tape securely

4. Box Labeling

• Each box gets a label with:
• Inbound Shipment ID (from Step 2)
• Box number (Box 1 of 12, etc.)
• Barcode (Walmart provides in shipping plan)
• Clearly visible on the top and side of each box

Documentation

You'll need:

• Packing list (what's in each box; Walmart provides template)
• Shipment summary (total units, total weight)
• Proof of shipment (carrier receipt with tracking)

Step 5: Receiving & Inspection at Fulfillment Center

What Happens After You Ship

Days 1-3 (Transit): Your boxes are in transit to Walmart's fulfillment center.

Days 4-5 (Receiving Window): Your shipment arrives at the fulfillment center. Walmart:

• Scans the inbound shipment ID
• Verifies box count matches your shipping plan
• Begins opening and inspecting boxes

Days 5-7 (Inspection & Counting): Walmart:

• Inspects items for damage
• Counts units (confirms qty matches your plan)
• Scans barcodes to confirm product IDs
• Photos any damaged items (if applicable)

Expected Timeline: Most shipments are fully received and counted within 2 business days of arrival.

Potential Issues During Receiving

Damaged Items:

• Walmart documents damage with photos
• You can dispute if damage is carrier's fault
• Damaged items may be sent back to you or destroyed (you choose)

Barcode Issues:

• If barcodes are unreadable, Walmart may flag items
• Contact Seller Support to resolve (may need replacement labels)

Quantity Discrepancies:

• If Walmart counts fewer items than you shipped, you're notified
• Can file a carrier claim if it's a carrier loss

Wrong Items Shipped:

• If you accidentally included items not on the shipping plan, they're rejected
• You'll need to arrange return shipment

Monitoring & Management After Launch

Key Metrics to Track

Inventory Turnover:

• How fast are your items selling?
• Adjust quantities based on sales velocity

Return Rate:

• Higher than expected? May indicate product quality or listing accuracy issues

Storage Costs:

• Items sitting unsold for 90+ days incur storage fees
• Reprice aggressively or liquidate slow movers

Fulfillment Performance:

• Walmart's systems track on-time delivery and accuracy
• This affects your seller rating

Reordering Inventory

Once inventory sells down:

1. Create a new shipping plan (same process as Step 2)
2. Prepare next batch (same process as Step 3)
3. Ship to fulfillment center (same process as Step 4)

Many sellers establish a monthly or quarterly shipment cadence.

Pro Tips for WFS Success

1. Calculate WFS fees before listing. Use the calculator to confirm profitability.
2. Over-communicate with Walmart. If you notice receiving delays, reach out proactively.
3. Avoid first-time shipment mistakes. Triple-check dimensions and barcodes before your first shipment.
4. Monitor storage fees. Move slow inventory quickly or remove from WFS.
5. Use repricing strategically. WFS items are eligible for faster shipping, so you can command higher prices.

About Ecom Circles

Ecom Circles is an all-in-one platform for Amazon and Walmart sellers. Our WFS Fee Calculator helps you estimate profitability before shipping, and our inventory management system tracks stock levels and reorder points across multiple platforms.

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