WALMART
Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) management
Walmart Fulfillment Services management is the weekly work of keeping your WFS inventory shipping fast, in stock and out of the long-term storage fees that start at day 366. We plan, prep and watch your WFS stock in your Seller Center, and every purchase order and removal is yours to approve.
Included in Store Care and Ops Desk · WFS setup in Walmart Launch ($1,499)
Quick answer
WFS management is the weekly work of running Walmart Fulfillment Services: shipment plans, labels and poly bags, stock cover, storage, aged stock and claims for lost units. Since Jun 30, 2026, Walmart charges $2.25 per cubic foot a month for units stored 366 to 450 days and $7.50 after 450 days. Ecom Relays runs it on Store Care or Ops Desk.
What does WFS do, and what does it leave to you?
WFS stores, picks, packs and ships your Walmart orders and handles customer service and returns processing for them. In its Q2 FY27 results, Walmart said nearly 50% of its marketplace business flowed through its fulfillment services (Walmart, Aug 20, 2026), and for WFS orders Walmart says most performance metrics are met for you, except the negative feedback rate (Walmart Marketplace Learn, Seller performance standards, updated Jul 28, 2026).
What WFS leaves to you:
- Forecasting.
How much to send, and when.
- Inbound prep.
Labels and poly bags on every unit before it ships, or a chargeback.
- Aged stock.
Deciding what to do before storage gets expensive.
- Claims.
Opening receiving shortage claims inside Walmart's window, with the right documents.
- The negative feedback rate
, which stays with you even on WFS orders.
That list is the job we take on.
WFS fees in 2026
Walmart publishes one schedule, last updated May 27, 2026, effective since Apr 2025, with new long-term storage rates from Jun 30, 2026. There is no signup or monthly subscription fee and no minimum or maximum inventory. The peak storage surcharge applies right now, from October to December.
Fulfillment fee per unit, by shipping weight:
| Shipping weight | Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to 1 lb | $3.45 |
| 2 lb | $4.95 |
| 3 lb | $5.45 |
| 4 to 20 lb | $5.75 plus $0.40 for each lb over 4 |
| 21 to 30 lb | $15.55 plus $0.40 for each lb over 21 |
| 31 to 50 lb | $14.55 plus $0.40 for each lb over 31 |
| 51 lb and over | $17.55 plus $0.40 for each lb over 51 |
| Big and bulky, up to 500 lb | $155 plus $0.80 for each lb over 90 |
Surcharges per unit (not applied to big and bulky): apparel $0.50; hazardous materials $0.50; retail price under $10, $1; oversize 1, $3; oversize 2, $20 with weight priced from the 90 lb rate.
Storage and other fees:
| Fee | Rate |
|---|---|
| Storage, Jan to Sep | $0.75 per cubic foot a month |
| Storage, Oct to Dec | $0.75 per cubic foot a month for items stored up to 30 days; add $1.50 for items stored more than 30 days |
| Long-term storage, 366 to 450 days | $2.25 per cubic foot a month (from Jun 30, 2026) |
| Long-term storage, over 450 days | $7.50 per cubic foot a month (from Jun 30, 2026) |
| Return processing, standard, up to 1 lb | $4.70 a unit, rising by weight; waived for returns identified as Walmart at fault |
| Unplanned prep chargeback | $0.65 a unit for a missing or incorrect label; $0.80 for a missing or incorrect poly bag |
| Disposal | $0.35 a unit up to 2 lb; $0.35 plus $0.20 for each lb over 2 for heavier units |
| Removal | The disposal fee plus $0.40 a lb shipping |
Source: Walmart Marketplace Learn, WFS fees, updated May 27, 2026, checked Oct 20, 2026. Referral fees are separate. The full schedule with worked examples is in our 2026 guide to WFS fees.
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The long-term storage fee, worked through
The jump at day 366 is the number to plan around. Walmart's listed rate for stock older than 365 days is three times the standard Jan to Sep rate, and after day 450 it is ten times. Walmart's fee page lists these rates for items stored more than 365 days without saying whether the standard rate also applies, so check the storage line on your first long-term bill.
Illustrative · sample figures. 100 units of one SKU, each 0.2 cubic feet, so 20 cubic feet in total, outside the Oct to Dec season.
| Age of the stock | Rate per cubic foot a month | Monthly storage for 20 cubic feet |
|---|---|---|
| 300 days | $0.75 | $15 |
| 380 days | $2.25 | $45 |
| 460 days | $7.50 | $150 |
Rates are Walmart's; the SKU, volume and age are examples. Run your own numbers in the WFS storage fee calculator.
At day 300 you still have choices, and each one costs less than waiting:
- Sell through
with a price plan you approve, checked against your margin floor and Walmart's pricing rules.
- Move units to your 3PL
if they sell better on another channel.
- Remove or dispose
of units that will not sell at a price you accept.
How our Walmart Fulfillment Services management runs every week
-
Inbound plans built with you
, sized to sales and lead time, never larger than the stock should be.
-
Labels and poly bags checked before units leave your warehouse
, so a $0.65 or $0.80 chargeback does not land on every unit of a shipment.
-
Cover in days per SKU
, reviewed weekly, so fast sellers stay in stock and slow sellers do not pile up.
-
A peak storage plan from October
, because the extra $1.50 per cubic foot applies to items stored more than 30 days.
-
An aged stock report every month
, with units approaching 365 days in WFS flagged and a recommendation for each.
-
Receiving shortage claims opened inside Walmart's window
, with the documents ready.
The rhythm is weekly, with a daily check from October to December when storage costs more.
Every purchase order and removal is your call. We bring the numbers and a recommendation.
WFS claims we file
Two kinds of WFS claim cover most losses. We file both, with no commission.
| Claim | Window | Documents | What Walmart pays |
|---|---|---|---|
| Receiving shortage (units lost or misplaced after delivery to a WFS fulfillment center) | Open between 10 and 50 days after delivery, as shown by tracking | Proof of delivery for non-Walmart Preferred Carrier parcels; bills of lading with shipper and carrier pickup signatures for LTL and FTL | Estimated sales proceeds based on the item's average sales price, in the next payment cycle, if Walmart finds WFS responsible |
| Customer-return disputes (wrong, missing or damaged item, item not received back, wrong disposition) | Within 45 days of the dispute window opening | Order and return details | Decided case by case; full or partial |
Sources: Walmart Marketplace Learn, WFS receiving issues (updated Aug 6, 2026) and WFS customer returns (updated Apr 2, 2026).
Walmart says plainly that "No appeals will be accepted" on receiving claims, and that no reimbursement is issued without conclusive evidence of WFS responsibility. So the paperwork has to be right the first time. Every claim is listed in your monthly report as "may be owed" until Walmart pays it.
WFS or your own 3PL?
Neither is always cheaper. It depends on each SKU's size, weight, sales speed and how many channels it sells on. Here is how the two compare.
| Factor | WFS | Your own 3PL |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery promise | Fast shipping badges and Walmart-managed delivery speed | Depends on your 3PL's network and carrier |
| Fee per unit | Published by weight, plus surcharges | Your 3PL's pick, pack and postage rates |
| Storage exposure | $0.75 per cubic foot a month, plus peak and long-term rates | Your 3PL contract rates |
| Performance metrics | Most metrics met for you, except negative feedback | All metrics yours |
| Multichannel stock | Walmart orders only, unless you move stock | One pool can serve Amazon, Walmart and Shopify |
| Control | Walmart's rules for labels, prep and removal | Your rules |
Our recommendation logic is per SKU: fast, light, Walmart-heavy items often suit WFS; slow, bulky or multichannel items often suit a 3PL. You decide. For a side-by-side with Amazon, read WFS vs FBA. For one stock count across WFS, FBA, Shopify and your 3PL, see multichannel inventory and 3PL management. The Amazon side of the same planning is on Amazon inventory and fees.
New to WFS?
Walmart's New-Seller Savings program includes 10% off WFS fulfillment fees until you reach $2K in savings, as part of up to $75K in incentives. The program runs Feb 2, 2026 to Jan 31, 2027, sellers must go live after Feb 1, 2026 and conditions apply (Walmart). Walmart decides eligibility.
Before your first inbound, Walmart verifies your WFS billing method, which takes two to three business days (Walmart Marketplace Learn, Complete onboarding, updated Aug 31, 2026). Walmart store launch includes WFS onboarding and your first inbound shipment.
What does WFS management cost?
WFS management is included in Store Care from $399 a month and Ops Desk from $1,499 a month. These are fixed published fees, never a percentage of your sales or ad spend, and WFS claims carry no commission.
| Option | What it covers | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Store Care | WFS cover, reorder alerts and claims for a small store, with daily account health checks | From $399 a month |
| Ops Desk | Weekly WFS management inside daily operations for brands at $1M+ | From $1,499 a month |
| Walmart Launch | WFS onboarding and first inbound shipment for a new seller | $1,499 once |
| Channel Launch | WFS or 3PL setup for a running brand adding Walmart | $1,499 once |
| Stock Flow (RELAY-03) | One stock count across FBA, WFS, Shopify and your 3PL, built in your accounts | $1,500 to $3,500 |
You pay WFS fees, inventory and freight directly to Walmart and your suppliers. Store Care and Ops Desk run a first term of 3 months, then month to month with 30 days' notice. No exit fee. See pricing.
Founding offer: 20% off launch fees, add-ons and the Foundation, plus 20% off monthly plans for the first 6 months, for the first 25 clients or until Jan 31, 2027, whichever comes first.
Proof you can check before you sign
These are written commitments.
- A monthly aged stock report, with units approaching 365 days flagged.
- A claims log in your monthly report, with every claim marked "may be owed" until paid.
- Published prices and terms on this page.
- Same-day action on account health warnings.
- Your named ops lead, a Walmart channel specialist, on the proposal before you sign.
See what WFS is costing you
The free Profit Leak Scan shows margin by SKU after every Walmart fee, WFS storage exposure and claims that may be owed, with a fix list ranked by dollar impact. Written report within 48 hours of working access (Read Only). No sales call required.
A real person replies within one business hour, 9am to 6pm US Central, Monday to Friday. More Walmart services: Walmart marketplace management · Walmart account health · Talk to an ops lead (free) · Profit Leak Scan
Sources: Walmart Marketplace Learn (WFS fees, May 27, 2026; WFS receiving issues, Aug 6, 2026; WFS customer returns, Apr 2, 2026; Seller performance standards, Jul 28, 2026; New-Seller Savings overview, Sep 2, 2026; Complete onboarding, Aug 31, 2026) · Walmart Q2 FY27 earnings release, Aug 20, 2026. Checked Oct 20, 2026. Amazon, Walmart and Shopify are trademarks of their owners; Ecom Relays is not affiliated with them.
What does WFS management cost?
It is included in Store Care from $399 a month and Ops Desk from $1,499 a month, with WFS claims filed at no commission. WFS setup for a new seller is part of Walmart Launch at $1,499. WFS fees themselves, along with inventory and freight, are paid by you directly to Walmart and your suppliers.
What are the WFS long-term storage fees?
From Jun 30, 2026, Walmart charges $2.25 per cubic foot a month for units stored 366 to 450 days and $7.50 per cubic foot a month for units stored more than 450 days. Standard storage up to 365 days is $0.75 per cubic foot a month from January to September.
Are there extra WFS storage fees in the holidays?
Yes. From October to December, items stored more than 30 days pay an extra $1.50 per cubic foot a month on top of the $0.75 standard rate. Items stored 30 days or less pay only the $0.75. That is why we move slow stock out or plan inbounds closer to demand before October.
Does WFS have a monthly or signup fee?
No. Walmart's WFS fee page says there are no signup or monthly subscription fees and no minimum or maximum inventory. You pay per unit fulfilled, per cubic foot stored and for specific services such as returns, removals and unplanned prep.
What happens if my units arrive without labels?
Walmart charges an unplanned prep chargeback: $0.65 a unit for a missing or incorrect label and $0.80 a unit for a missing or incorrect poly bag. On a shipment of 1,000 units, that can mean $650 to $800 for one mistake, which is why we check prep before units leave your warehouse.
Can I claim for units WFS lost?
Yes, for receiving shortages, between 10 and 50 days after delivery to the fulfillment center, as confirmed by tracking. You need proof of delivery or signed bills of lading, depending on how you shipped. Walmart pays estimated sales proceeds if it finds WFS responsible, and it does not accept appeals.
Is WFS cheaper than FBA?
It depends on size, weight, storage time and price. On some light items the fulfillment fees are close; on others they differ by a dollar or more a unit, and storage rules differ too. Our WFS vs FBA guide compares three sample items on both programs, with every rate sourced.
Does WFS help my performance metrics?
Yes. Walmart says that if you use WFS, most performance metrics will be met for you, except the negative feedback rate. That covers measures such as on-time delivery and valid tracking for WFS orders, which is one of the main reasons sellers use it.
Sources7 sources
- 01marketplacelearn.walmart.comWalmart Marketplace Learn, WFS fees, updated May 27, 2026, schedule effective Apr 2025, long-term storage effective Jun 30, 2026; checked Oct 20, 2026Primary
- 02marketplacelearn.walmart.comWFS receiving dispute claims, updated Aug 6, 2026; checked Oct 20, 2026Primary
- 03marketplacelearn.walmart.comWFS customer return disputes, updated Apr 2, 2026; checked Oct 20, 2026Primary
- 04marketplacelearn.walmart.comSeller performance standards, updated Jul 28, 2026; checked Oct 20, 2026Primary
- 05marketplacelearn.walmart.comNew-Seller Savings overview, updated Sep 2, 2026; checked Oct 20, 2026Primary
- 06marketplacelearn.walmart.comComplete onboarding, updated Aug 31, 2026; checked Oct 20, 2026Primary
- 07corporate.walmart.comWalmart Q2 FY27 earnings release, Aug 20, 2026: "nearly 50% of the marketplace business flowed through fulfillment services"; checked Oct 20, 2026Primary
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