Walmart now allows Amazon MCF: Everything sellers need to know

The news every cross-platform seller has been waiting for has just arrived. Walmart officially flipped the script on one of ecommerce’s biggest restrictions. They now allow sellers to use Amazon Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF) for Walmart Marketplace orders.

The implications are huge for Amazon sellers who’ve been eyeing Walmart’s growing marketplace. Instead of building separate fulfillment operations, you can now leverage your existing Amazon inventory to serve customers on both platforms. 

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The exact requirements for Amazon MCF on Walmart

Packaging and branding rules

First rule of MCF on Walmart: nobody talks about Amazon. Every package going to Walmart customers must look like it came straight from your brand.

You’ll need to select “Ship only in Unbranded Packaging” during order creation. This strips away all Amazon branding from boxes, packing slips, and invoices. 

Here’s what can’t appear anywhere in your shipments: Amazon logos, promotional materials from other Amazon sellers, or anything that screams “I actually came from a competitor’s warehouse.” 

Carrier restrictions and logistics requirements

Amazon’s delivery trucks can’t be used for Walmart orders as well. Your approved carrier list includes USPS, UPS, FedEx, and any non-Amazon logistics providers. 

Tracking numbers need to be precise. Upload them only after carriers have physically taken possession of packages, not a moment before. 

Performance standards you must maintain

• You need to support shipping cutoffs until 11:00 AM local time, five days per week. Plus you can only use 15 ‘Additional Days Off’ per year per fulfillment center.
• Your On-Time Delivery (OTD) Rate must hit 95% or higher. 
• Your Valid Tracking Rate (VTR) needs to reach 99% or better. 
• The auto-cancel feature can also kick in five days after your Expected Ship Date passes. 

The real cost of using Amazon MCF for Walmart orders

It’s important to note, though, that Amazon MCF comes with a 5% surcharge when you choose to block Amazon Logistics as a carrier. That might sound manageable until you multiply it across thousands of orders and realize how quickly those pennies turn into real money.

The math gets interesting when you compare MCF against Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS). Depending on your product mix and margins, WFS might actually cost less than MCF’s premium pricing structure.

For example, consider a 1 lb standard-sized item priced at $30. If fulfilled through Amazon MCF, the total estimated cost per unit is approximately $8.50, not yet factoring in MCF’s 5% premium over standard fees. 

In contrast, the same item fulfilled through Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) would cost only $3.45 per unit, with no additional surcharges. This means WFS could save sellers around $5 per order, making it a more cost-effective solution.

Now, hidden costs lurk everywhere, so this might not be the same for everyone. There’s compliance monitoring, tracking management, and the operational overhead of juggling dual-platform requirements. Factor these expenses into your calculations before committing to this strategy.

Should you use Amazon MCF for Walmart orders?

To help you decide, here’s a brief breakdown of the Pros and Cons of using Amazon MCF for your Walmart orders.

In the end, the decision hinges on your current Amazon performance and profit margins. If you’re already crushing it on Amazon with healthy margins, MCF can fast-track your Walmart expansion without a major lift on your end.

But if you’re scraping by on thin margins or struggling to meet Amazon’s performance standards, adding Walmart’s requirements might push you over the edge. Calculate your true profitability, including all MCF surcharges, before jumping in.

Test the waters with a small product selection first. Learn the operational requirements and compliance nuances before committing your entire catalog to this strategy.

Managing your cross-platform business with Seller 365

Running multiple marketplaces creates monitoring challenges that can quickly spiral out of control. FeedbackWhiz Alerts can help you track your listings on Amazon and reviews on Walmart to make things easier.

FeedbackWhiz Profits, on the other hand, becomes your financial command center for cross-platform operations. Track profitability across Amazon and Walmart to ensure your MCF strategy actually improves your bottom line instead of just adding complexity.

These two are part of the Seller 365 bundle. For just $69/month, you get 10 seller apps that you can use for every aspect of your Amazon business. Now, mix that with centralized inventory for Amazon and Walmart through MCF, and you’ll be unstoppable.

Ready to expand your Amazon success to Walmart? Try Seller 365 free for up to 14 days and get a complete seller toolkit.