Check the container condition

Sellers should make sure the container is clean and meets WFS standards before loading. In general, reject the container if: 

• The walls and roof have holes or gaps.

• The floorboards are dirty, wet, have a chemical odor or rot. Keep in mind that a clamp machine used to offload oversized containers is usually around 2,900 kgs/6,400 lbs. It’s essential the container floor is strong enough to support the weight of the machine plus cargo.

• Doors do not open and close properly, not forming a tight seal. 

• There are insects or pests. 

• The Convention for Safe Containers (CSC Safety) approval plate is missing, unreadable, or out of date.  

• There is excessive rust, dents, or damage to the structure of the container.  

If a container is rejected, do not load it. Any container that arrives at a WFS fulfillment center in unacceptable condition is the seller’s responsibility unless the damage is caused by outside forces (carrier, terminal).  

Packing your items

To learn more about how to properly pack and label your cargo, follow the guidelines in the WFS Routing and Packaging Guide. 

Dangerous goods (also known as hazmat)

There are specific guidelines to follow and other considerations for loading a container with dangerous goods. For more information, read the guide on shipping dangerous goods via Walmart Imports. 

How to load the container

Proper container loading is essential to minimize damage, comply with WFS standards, and help make the unloading process at the fulfillment center run smoothly so your items can reach customers as quickly as possible. A well-loaded container should be balanced and maximize the space. 

General packing requirements

• Keep a 1-2-inch clearance from container sidewalls to ensure clamp trucks have enough space to grasp the boxes. 

• Leave at least 7 inches of space at the tail end to allow the unloading ramp to attach to the container. 

• To ensure safe shipping, cargo must be properly secured using bracing materials (such as wood, metal, or other approved materials) to stabilize cargo and prevent shifting during transportation. You may also need to install airbags or dunnage bags to create a buffer between the cargo and the container walls, minimizing movement and reducing the risk of damage. Taking these precautions supports a smoother shipping experience and helps ensure your items arrive safely. 

• Evenly load your cartons to comply with axle weight limits. Refer to the section on weighing a laden container in this guide. 

• Stack lighter items on top. 

• Tall cartons should be in the back (nose end), with smaller cartons stacked toward the door (tail end). 

• Make sure shipping labels are tail-facing and visible for unloading. 

Do not load cartons in irregular patterns. Make sure items are stacked straight and even to allow fulfillment center clamp trucks enough space to grasp the cargo and safely remove it from the container. 

Improperly loaded container	Properly loaded container

Wood pallets

Most often, you’ll floor load cargo to maximize container volume, but you may use pallets if necessary. The following USDA import requirements for wood packaging materials, including pallets and dunnage, must be met and verified: 

1. Debarked: All bark must be removed from the wooden pallet. 

2. Heat treated: The pallet must be treated to kill pests, either heated to 56C or 133F for at least 30 minutes (HT) or fumigated with methyl bromide (MB). 

3. Stamped with IPPC: The pallet must be stamped with the full International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) mark to meet international export requirements. This includes the IPPC logo, country code, facility number, and treatment type (HT or MB).  

4. Clean/pest-free: The pallet must be clean and free of live pests, with no mold, insects, or other visible contamination. 

Securing cargo

Securing your cargo properly is key to preventing items from moving or shifting in the container during transit. Secure all items tightly against each other within the container.

If the cargo doesn’t fill the entire container, secure it using tie-downs, strapping, dunnage, fasteners, direct or friction lashing, blocking or bracing. 

Once the container is loaded, seal it properly to prevent tampering and theft.

Weighing a laden container

Load distribution

Proper load distribution is critical to: 

• Avoid instability and accidents or even capsizing 

• Prevent damage to cargo and equipment at unloading  

• Stay compliant with axle weight limits  

Load weight

Accurate container weight is essential for meeting safety standards, legal requirements, and to help the overall business run smoothly. Overweight containers can lead to shipping delays, penalties, and loss of customer satisfaction.  

Rework policy

A majority of Walmart Imports shipments enter through California, where there are strict weight standards for cargo and how it's distributed. This is why it's essential to ensure accurate weight measurements to avoid delays (3-4 days minimum remedy time) and additional fees. 

For example, a container that's unbalanced and heavy in the middle would be unsafe to unload. It would be sent to a third-party facility to be reworked and reloaded safely into a different container. The costs associated with this rework process are your responsibility. You can avoid this scenario by staying compliant, which begins with knowing the total weight of the loaded container – the Verified Gross Mass. 

Total cargo weight: Verified Gross Mass (VGM)

VGM is the total weight of a packed container. The VGM must include the total verifiable weight of the packed container, including cargo content, dunnage and securing materials, container tare weight, and the signature of an authorized person. As a requirement under international law, the shipper on the Bill of Lading must accurately declare this before shipping. Without it, shipments will not be accepted for loading.

How to determine the VGM

There are two ways to calculate VGM. 

Method 1: Weigh the entire packed container. 

• Use a certified, calibrated weighbridge. 

• If weighed with a truck, subtract the truck’s weight and fuel. 

Method 2: Add up all individual weights (best for shippers with accurate item weights and tare details). 

• Add up the weights of the individual cargo items, packaging, and dunnage, and then add the container's tare weight (located on the CSC plate). 

Weight distribution and VGM

It’s important to understand not only the maximum weight allowed, but how the weight is distributed, especially over each axle. 

Preparing the VGM declaration paperwork

VGM paperwork must be completed before a container can be loaded onto a vessel. Sellers use it to declare the weight of the container and certify that it’s accurate. The VGM declaration paperwork must include the following: 

• Booking/Bill of Lading number 

• Container number 

• VGM in kilograms  

• The method used to determine VGM (either Method 1: Weigh the entire packed and sealed container on a certified weighbridge or Method 2: Weigh all individual cargo items, packaging, dunnage and add the container’s tare weight) 

• Shipper’s company name, address, and contact details 

• Vessel name and voyage 

• Signatory company name 

• Name, date, and signature of the authorized company representative responsible for the declaration. 

After this, the paperwork is ready to submit to the origin agent. 

Reporting loss or damage

If there is loss or damage to lading, make sure to file a claim within 9 months of the date of delivery, or scheduled date of delivery for lost lading. All Walmart Imports sellers should read the WMSC LLC Terms and Conditions to learn more. Go to Settings (the "gear" icon in the upper right navigation bar in Seller Center), then select Administrator Options > Agreements.