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Guide
Lag time exemption policy
Last updated on Feb 18, 2025
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 after receiving an order. In this guide, you’ll learn how to request an exemption to exceed that timeframe if needed.  

What is the policy?

Lag time exemption requests for custom items, items printed on demand or made directly in your facility must not exceed five business days. Lag time exemption requests for all other items, including items shipping freight or less than truckload (LTL) must not 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 don't 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.
Notes

Lag time exemption limits are subject to change at the discretion of Walmart. Walmart reserves the right to update the seller’s lag time limits as well as individual item lag time settings.

Additional guidelines

To submit your request, select the Help button in the Seller Center menu bar to contact Support. Choose Contact Support and enter the phrase: Submit lag time exemption request. Then, choose the Get in touch with us link and provide your answers to the prompts. 

Pro tip

You can select more than one category at a time for multiple requests.   

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 exemption in its sole discretion.  

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