Selling on Walmart Marketplace can be a game-changer, if you understand how the fees work.
You might make $8,000 in sales and still wonder where the money went. Fulfillment fees, storage fees, and return fees can accumulate rapidly.
The problem? Most sellers don’t fully understand how Walmart’s fees work when they start. Small changes – like an extra pound of weight or a missed label, can increase your costs without warning.
But sellers who learn the fee structure early do much better. They know how to keep costs low, avoid common mistakes, and protect their profits.
This guide breaks down every fee you might face, shows how to calculate your real costs, and much more.
What is Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS)?
Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) is designed to help sellers on Walmart’s marketplace by offering them an efficient and reliable way to store, manage, and ship their products. By utilizing WFS, sellers can focus more on their core business activities while Walmart takes care of the logistical aspects.
WFS is similar to Amazon’s Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) program. It offers sellers the ability to send their products to Walmart’s fulfillment centers, where Walmart handles the rest, including storage, picking, packing, shipping, customer service, and returns.
Key Features of WFS:
- Multi-channel fulfillment across Walmart.com and Walmart stores
- Two-day shipping eligibility for Prime-like customer experience
- Automated inventory management with real-time tracking
- Professional packaging with Walmart branding
- Scalable storage solutions with no minimum or maximum requirements
- Returns processing handled entirely by Walmart
- Customer service support in multiple languages
Eligibility Requirements:
- Products must weigh up to 500 lbs including packaging
- Maximum dimensions of 120″ x 105″ x 93″
- Must ship from within the US or clear customs before arrival
- No regulated or perishable items requiring temperature control
- Compliance with WFS prohibited products policy
The primary goal of WFS is to provide a seamless and efficient fulfillment process that enhances the customer experience on Walmart’s platform while offering sellers access to Walmart’s extensive logistics network that averages 15% lower costs than competitors.
Walmart Fulfillment Services: Benefits and Challenges
Benefits
Using Walmart Fulfillment Services offers several advantages for sellers looking to streamline their operations and improve customer satisfaction.
Faster Shipping: Walmart’s extensive logistics network enables faster shipping times, which enhances the customer experience and increases the likelihood of repeat purchases.
Increased Visibility: Products fulfilled through WFS are more likely to be featured prominently in Walmart’s search results and become eligible for Walmart’s free two-day shipping program, significantly increasing their visibility to potential customers.
Simplified Operations: By outsourcing fulfillment responsibilities to Walmart, sellers can redirect their focus toward other critical aspects of their business, such as product development and marketing, without the burden of managing complex logistics operations.
Enhanced Customer Service: Walmart takes responsibility for handling customer service inquiries and processing returns, providing customers with a seamless experience while reducing the operational burden on individual sellers.
Challenges
While WFS provides numerous advantages, sellers must also navigate several challenges and considerations to maximize their success with the platform.
Cost Management: The various fees associated with WFS can accumulate quickly, requiring sellers to carefully manage their inventory levels and continuously monitor their costs to maintain healthy profit margins.
Inventory Control: Sellers must ensure accurate inventory tracking and management to prevent stockouts or excess inventory situations, both of which can result in additional fees and negatively impact business performance.
Compliance Requirements: Walmart maintains strict guidelines for product labeling, packaging, and shipping procedures. Sellers must adhere to these comprehensive requirements to avoid processing delays and additional penalty fees that can affect their bottom line.
Complete 2025 Walmart Fulfillment Fee Structure
Standard Fulfillment Fees – Base Rates
Standard items are products that meet specific criteria for small parcel shipping. An item is considered standard when it meets these requirements:
Girth = 2*(width + height in inches)
Unit weight is less than or equal to 150 lb, including packaging
Longest side is less than or equal to 108 inches, including packaging
Longest side + girth is less than or equal to 165 inches, including packaging
How to Calculate Your Fulfillment Fee
Step 1 – Measure Your Item’s Dimensions
You’ll need these measurements to calculate your product’s dimensional weight and determine if oversize fees apply.
Step 2 – Determine Shipping Weight
- Items under 1 lb: Use unit weight + 0.25 lb for packaging materials, then round up to nearest pound
- Items 1-150 lb: Use the greater of unit weight or dimensional weight
- Dimensional weight formula: (length x width x height in inches) ÷ 139
Step 3 – Apply Base Fulfillment Fee
| Shipping Weight | Standard Base Fee Per Unit |
|---|---|
| ≤ 1 lb | $3.45 |
| 2 lb | $4.95 |
| 3 lb | $5.45 |
| 4–20 lb | $5.75 + $0.40 for each lb > 4 lb |
| 21–30 lb | $15.55 + $0.40 for each lb > 21 lb |
| 31–50 lb* | $14.55 + $0.40 for each lb > 31 lb |
| ≥ 51 lb* | $17.55 + $0.40 for each lb > 51 lb |
*Heavier items may require more than 2 days for delivery due to ground transportation requirements.
Note: You can also use our WFS fee calculator that is designed specifically for walmart sellers. With this calculator, you can calculate the fees easily and accurately.
Additional Fulfillment Fees
These fees are added to the base fulfillment fee for standard items only (not applicable to big & bulky items):
| Fee Type | Criteria | Additional Fee Per Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Apparel | Item is an article of clothing | Add $0.50 |
| Hazardous Materials | Item contains chemicals, aerosols, pesticides, or batteries | Add $0.50 |
| Retail Price < $10 | Item is priced under $10 | Add $1.00 |
| Oversize (Level 1) | Longest side 48″-96″ OR Median side >30″ OR Longest side + girth 105″-130″ | Add $3.00 |
| Oversize (Level 2) | Longest side 96″-108″ OR Longest side + girth 130″-165″ | Add $20.00 |
Note: For Level 2 oversize items, the unit weight starts at 90 lb when determining the fulfillment fee.
Big & Bulky Fulfillment Fees
Items are considered big and bulky when they meet at least one of these criteria:
- Unit weight is greater than 150 lb and up to 500 lb, including packaging
- Longest side is greater than 108 inches and up to 120 inches, including packaging
- Longest side + girth is greater than 165 inches, including packaging
| Shipping Weight | Big & Bulky Return Fee Per Unit |
|---|---|
| Up to 500 lb | $155 + $0.80 per lb > 90 lb |
Big and bulky items are shipped by freight, and no additional fulfillment fees apply.
Storage Fees
Storage fees are calculated based on the cubic feet occupied by products in Walmart’s fulfillment centers and billed monthly. The formula for calculating cubic feet is: (length x width x height in inches) ÷ 1,728.
Items Stored for Fewer than 365 Days
| Time Period | Storage Fee Per Cubic Foot |
|---|---|
| January–September | $0.75 per cubic foot per month |
| October–December (Peak Season) | $0.75 per cubic foot per month for items stored ≤ 30 days |
| Add $1.50 per cubic foot per month for items stored > 30 days |
Long-Term Storage (Over 365 Days)
| Time Period | Storage Fee Per Cubic Foot |
|---|---|
| More than 12 months | $2.25 per cubic foot per month |
Pro Tip: Track storage duration using Walmart’s Inventory Health Report to avoid unexpected long-term storage fees.
Suggested Read: Amazon long-term storage fees: Strategies for Sellers
Problem Inventory Fees
Problem inventory refers to inbound shipments that cannot be received into Walmart fulfillment centers due to non-compliance issues.
| Issue | Chargeback Fee Per Unit |
|---|---|
| Missing or incorrect label | $0.65 |
| Missing or incorrect poly bag | $0.80 |
Items with problem inventory issues may be returned to you at your expense if resolution cannot be reached.
Return Processing Fees
Return processing fees are based on shipping weight and apply when customers return items. Additional fees also apply for apparel, hazardous materials, and oversize items.
Standard Return Processing Fees
| Shipping Weight | Standard Return Fee Per Unit |
|---|---|
| ≤ 1 lb | $4.70 |
| 2 lb | $6.20 |
| 3 lb | $6.70 |
| 4–20 lb | $7.00 + $0.40 for each lb > 4 lb |
| 21–30 lb | $15.55 + $0.40 for each lb > 21 lb |
| 31–50 lb | $14.55 + $0.40 for each lb > 31 lb |
| ≥ 51 lb | $17.55 + $0.40 for each lb > 51 lb |
Big & Bulky Return Processing Fees
| Issue | Chargeback Fee Per Unit |
|---|---|
| Missing or incorrect label | $0.65 |
| Missing or incorrect poly bag | $0.80 |
Return Exceptions Policy
Walmart at Fault Returns: Walmart covers return processing fees for issues like lost in transit, damaged items, shipping delays, or wrong items shipped.
Seller at Fault Returns: Sellers pay return processing fees for issues like wrong size, poor quality, customer dissatisfaction, or order cancellations.
Disposal & Removal Fees
When you need to dispose of or remove inventory from Walmart fulfillment centers, the following fees apply:
| Unit Weight | Disposal Fee Per Unit | Removal Fee Per Unit |
|---|---|---|
| ≤ 2 lb | $0.35 | Disposal fee + $0.40 per lb shipping cost |
| 3–500 lb | $0.35 + $0.20 for each lb > 2 lb | Disposal fee + $0.40 per lb shipping cost |
Hazmat Items: Add $0.50 to the base fee for hazardous materials.
Prep Services and Additional Fees
Labeling and Preparation Services
| Service Category | Walmart Fees (2025) | Amazon FBA Fees (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Polybagging | $0.60/unit | $0.70/unit |
| Item Labeling | $0.45/unit | $0.55/unit |
| Non-compliance penalty | $0.20 extra for products not meeting standards | $1.99 extra for products not meeting standards |
Note: If you also sell on Amazon, you’ll notice many similarities and differences in how WFS fees are calculated. Learn more in our Amazon FBA fees guide
Walmart’s New-Seller Savings Program
Walmart has launched an attractive incentive program for new third-party sellers on its Walmart Marketplace, offering substantial savings and benefits to help launch your business on Walmart.com.
Program Overview
- Total Savings: Up to $75,000 in incentives and benefits
- Program Duration: Valid until January 31, 2026
- Eligibility: Available after signing up for Walmart Marketplace
Key Benefits and Savings
Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) Discounts
- 25% off fulfillment fees until you reach $2,000 in savings
- 50% off storage fees until you reach $2,000 in savings
- Credits are redeemed as reimbursements for fulfillment services
Advertising Credits
- $1,000 in Walmart Connect ad credits for eligible advertisers
- Available for new sellers who haven’t previously advertised with Walmart Connect and have a Walmart Connect Ad Center self-serve account in good standing
Additional Benefits
Once your store goes live, you’ll be eligible to receive various other savings and incentives as part of the comprehensive new-seller support program.
How It Works
- Sign up for Walmart Marketplace
- Complete the onboarding process in Seller Center
- Once your store goes live, you become eligible for the savings program
- Start utilizing Walmart’s solutions (WFS, advertising, etc.) to unlock your savings
Important Notes
- Conditions apply to all offers
- Savings amounts depend on which Walmart solutions you utilize
- This program is designed to help new sellers scale their business while reducing initial costs
For complete terms and conditions, visit the full offer details on Walmart’s website.
Walmart (WFS) Fee Summary
| Fee Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Fulfillment Fees | Based on product’s shipping weight- $3.45 for < 1 lb, up to $17.55 + $0.40/lb for > 51 lb. |
| Storage Fees | $0.75 per cubic foot/month (Jan-Sep), $0.75 first month, then $2.25/month (Oct-Dec). |
| Return Shipping Fees | Based on weight- $4.70 for < 1 lb, up to $17.55+ for heavier items. |
| Disposal/Removal Fees | Disposal- $0.35 for < 2 lb, + $0.20/lb for 3-150 lb; Removal- $0.35 + $0.40/lb for 3-150 lb. |
Conclusion
Now you know exactly what you’re dealing with. From the $3.45 base fee for lightweight items to the $155+ charges for big and bulky products, every cost is laid out clearly. You can now understand how storage fees work, why timing matters during peak season, and how to avoid those expensive compliance penalties.
Your next move?
Start with your current inventory. Calculate your actual fulfillment costs using the tables in this guide. Look at your storage duration and peak season timing. Check your product dimensions and weights. Most importantly, factor these real costs into your pricing strategy before you list another item.
Ready to turn your Walmart selling into a profitable business? The numbers don’t lie – and now you know exactly what they mean.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it worth it to sell on Walmart Marketplace?
Yes, selling on Walmart Marketplace can be highly profitable with proper fee management. Walmart’s logistics network offers 15% lower costs than competitors, plus access to millions of customers.
How much does it cost to get Walmart to sell your products?
Walmart charges no monthly subscription fees, only per-transaction costs. Basic fulfillment starts at $3.45 for items under 1 lb, with storage fees at $0.75 per cubic foot monthly. New sellers get up to $75,000 in savings through 2026, including 25% off fulfillment and 50% off storage fees.
What is Walmart’s seller shipping fee?
Walmart’s shipping fees are built into fulfillment costs, starting at $3.45 for lightweight items up to $17.55+ for heavier products. Big and bulky items cost $155 base plus $0.80 per pound over 90 lbs. Additional fees apply for apparel ($0.50), hazardous materials ($0.50), and oversize items.
How does Walmart pay sellers and how long does it take?
Walmart pays sellers bi-weekly through direct deposit or check, typically within 14 days of the order delivery date. Payments include sales revenue minus all applicable fees (fulfillment, storage, returns). New sellers may experience slightly longer processing times during account verification.
Arishekar N is a Vice President (VP) of Marketing at AMZ Prep, specializing in ecommerce fulfillment and Amazon logistics strategies with a proven track record of driving growth for e-commerce businesses. He is a strategic leader with extensive expertise in marketing, e-commerce operations, SEO & advertising, and branding.
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