Header Image
Guide
Submit a lag time exemption request
Last updated on Nov 13, 2024
Reading time: 3 min
Overview

Lag time is the time it takes for you to ship an order after it has been placed by a customer. Walmart Marketplace requires sellers to ship orders within two business days, but there may be times when you need to request an extension to exceed that timeframe. Keep reading to learn how to do it.

Eligibility

Walmart approves lag time requests based on whether your item meets one or both of the requirements below: 

  • Items requiring customization, printed on-demand, or made to order directly in your facility where lag time doesn’t exceed 5 business days.
  • Freight of less than truckload (LTL) items, where lag time doesn’t exceed 10 business days. 

Walmart may reject your request if information is missing, incomplete, or misrepresents your business or the assortment offered on Walmart Marketplace. Lag time requests are rejected for any of the reasons below:

  • The item is sourced from third-party vendors after a customer places an order. (E.g., you do not contractually control the third-party vendor’s inventory levels and processing times.) 
  • The item cannot ship same- or next-day due to inefficiencies in your fulfillment network.
  • The item is on preorder or backorder.

Submit a lag time exemption request

If you have questions, select the Help button in the Seller Center menu bar to contact Support.  

Step 1 — Navigate to support

Navigate to Marketplace Learn and select Support from the top dashboard.   

Step 2 — Provide additional details 

Provide answers to the open case questions and choose the item category from the Requested Category dropdown menu. You can select more than one category at a time for multiple requests.  

In the description box, please include the following information, as it helps inform Walmart’s decision regarding your request. 

  • Why are you requesting an exemption and why are you unable to support same- or next-day shipping in these categories? 
  • Do you have inventory in stock in your warehouse for the SKUs that require exemptions? Or do you source from a third-party vendor? 
  • Provide up to 3 links as examples of the SKUs for which you are requesting additional lag time (e.g., URL links showing examples of your SKUs UPC barcode).
Notes

Lag time exemptions are discretionary and granted on a case-by-case basis. Walmart reserves the right to change or alter your lag time exception in its sole discretion. 

Was this article helpful?

More in Shipping & fulfillment
Shipping Templates: Overview
Shipping & fulfillment
Before you can start shipping your products to customers, you’ll need to set up your shipping settings and define shipping rules for each region you can deliver to.
Shipping Templates: Add settings manually
Shipping & fulfillment
You can configure your shipping settings manually or through automation. If you don’t use an approved shipping carrier or offer free shipping, you’ll need to set up your shipping settings manually.
Shipping Templates: Automate settings
Shipping & fulfillment
To configure your shipping settings, you will need to use Shipping templates. You can configure your preferences manually or through automation. 
About Walmart.com

Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better- anytime and anywhere - in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, approximately 240 million customers and members visit more than 10,500 stores and numerous eCommerce websites in 20 countries. With fiscal year 2023 revenue of $611 billion, Walmart employs approximately 2.1 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity.

c2024 Walmart. All Rights Reserved  | Privacy Policy