Before you start

In this guide, you’ll learn how to book a Walmart Cross Border: Imports shipment in Seller Center. You’ll select your items first, review pricing and destination options, and add involved parties to your booking before submitting.

How to get an estimate

Make sure your Walmart Imports enrollment is approved in Seller Center. 

Make sure the items you want to ship are  in your WFS catalog.

• Note that sortable and non-sortable items can’t be shipped together in the same booking. To ship both sizes, you’ll need to create separate bookings. View sortable dimensions for more details.

You can estimate shipping costs in advance using the freight estimate calculator. Refer to the Estimate pricing guide to learn more. 

Booking a shipment

Step 1: Add your basic booking details

There are two ways to start a Walmart Imports shipment:

1. In Seller Center, navigate to WFS > Shipping Plans in the left navigation menu, and select Create plan.

1. Select International in the pop-up window.

2. Under Enter shipment details, select the origin port and country for your shipment, the transportation mode (full container load (FCL) or less than container load (LCL)), and the cargo ready date.

3. You can also add additional services, such as origin pickup.

2. In the freight estimate calculator, add the same basic details (origin port, country, mode and cargo ready date) and select Create plan to turn that estimate into a real booking. Any information you entered on the estimate page will automatically carry over, and the price will be updated after you add your items.

You can select a cargo ready date up to 60 days in the future, depending on selected origin port and destination capacity. Booking early secures space on a vessel. If pricing changes between booking and gate-in, you’ll need to accept an updated Negotiated Rate Arrangement (NRA) before delivering your cargo. Shipping without a valid NRA could require your shipments to be charged tariff rates.

Step 2: Add items and set up your container

Single container

1. On the Booking page under Add items, use the Container dropdown menu to select the container size you’ll use . Then select whether you’re sending sortable or non-sortable items in the Item size dropdown menu.
2. Next, search for and add items by SKU, item name, GTIN, UPC, or EAN. To add multiple items at once, select “Bulk upload” and download the template from the pop-up window.

Add the units per master case and number of master cases for each item you add to the shipment.

Multiple containers

If you want to add additional containers to your booking: 

Select Add a container (+). Your view will expand, and you can assign items across multiple containers.

For LCL shipments: you’ll be prompted to enter master case details before receiving a price estimate. Make sure to provide master case dimensions and weight information for accurate pricing. For more on LCL shipments, refer to Walmart Cross Border: Imports - Less than container load (LCL) shipments. 

Shipment and container limits

• Maximum 15,000 master cases per container 
• Maximum 3,000 master cases per item 
• If limits are exceeded, a support ticket is required 

Review overall container weight and volume limits in the Estimate pricing guide.

Some items may require you to provide supporting documentation for review before shipping. For dangerous goods requirements and shipping restrictions, refer to Walmart Cross Border: Imports – Shipping dangerous goods. 

Step 3 – Review destination and pricing

After adding your items, review the routing and pricing options available for your shipment.  

• You’ll see one or more destination options based on your shipment details – where you’re sending from and the specific items and quantities you’re sending.
• Expand a destination option to see the estimated ocean freight costs and any other charges as separate line items.
  

For strategic tips on selecting between transfer station and fulfillment center destinations, choosing items for particular bookings, and how to join the Walmart Imports self-distribution program, go to the Walmart Cross Border: Imports – Booking strategies guide. 

Step 4 – Add container details

Here’s where you’ll provide more information about what’s inside your container so that the ocean carrier can reserve space on a vessel. What you add in Description of goods will show on your bill of lading as description of goods, with total master cases as shippers’ load and count. You’ll also add HTS codes for the items in the shipment. 

Description of goods

How to write a detailed description of goods:

• Use short phrases, in English, describing the items in that container. 
• A Walmart Imports inbound order ID, internal purchase order (PO) number or SKU only isn't sufficient. 
• If you’re shipping a branded good, include the brand and the model. 
• Consider entering the material the product is made of and how it is used.  
• Weight and volume inputs should be in metric units (kilograms, cubic meters).

If your description of goods doesn't include enough detail, the carrier or origin team won't accept the shipment and will contact you for clarification. This can delay reserving space on a vessel and delay the departure date of your shipment.

Here are examples of best practice descriptions and descriptions with not enough detail:

HTS codes 

Add 6- or 10-digit HTS codes for the items in each container, separated by commas without spaces (for example, 6107.11.00,6107 11.02,6107.11,6107.00). Your HTS codes will be used by the carrier to assess your shipment and book space on a vessel.

You’ll need to provide these HTS codes again after booking when filling out your Importer Security Filing (ISF).

Step 5 – Add your involved parties

Enter contact information for the involved parties in your shipment. Different parties are required for different origin countries, so you may not see all of these during booking.
Review the Involved parties in a shipment guide for more help on adding these details. Make sure this information is consistent across your booking, shipping instructions, and the bill of lading to help avoid delays in shipment processing or customs clearance.

Step 6 – Review and submit

 Before you submit your booking, review all shipment details: items, containers, routing, pricing, and transit information. Review and accept the Negotiated Rate Arrangement (NRA). Learn more in the Estimate pricing guide. Select Submit to complete your booking.

What to expect after submitting your booking

 You'll start packing your shipment and coordinating with your carrier. View shipment status updates, including vessel assignments and estimated delivery date (EDD), in Seller Center.

Transport service

Ocean transportation services are provided by WMSC Logistics Services, LLC. (NVOCC license number FMC OTI No. 032243NF)