Stuck with Domestic Shipping? Here's Why You Need Walmart Cross Border

If you're only seeing U.S. domestic options when shipping to Walmart Fulfillment Services from China, this missing program enrollment is costing you money.

The Problem Every China-Based Seller Faces

You're trying to create a shipment from China to Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS), but you keep hitting the same wall – only domestic U.S. shipping options appear. Sound familiar?

Here's what's happening: Your account isn't enrolled in Walmart's Cross Border (WCB) program. Without this enrollment, Walmart's system automatically defaults to domestic shipments only, blocking your access to direct international shipping options.

The solution? You need to register for the Walmart Cross Border program through your Seller Center. Once you're enrolled, you can book ocean freight shipments directly from China to WFS facilities.

What Exactly Is Walmart Cross Border?

Think of Walmart Cross Border as your express lane from China to U.S. customers. It's a port-to-door ocean freight service that ships your inventory from select Chinese ports directly to Walmart's U.S. fulfillment centers.

Here's what you get:

Direct shipping from major Chinese ports (Yantian, Shanghai, Ningbo, Qingdao, Xiamen)
Support for 20', 40', and 45' shipping containers, plus less-than-container-load shipments
Access to Walmart's negotiated shipping rates (much better than spot market prices)
End-to-end tracking through your Seller Center
Dedicated support in English and Mandarin

Are You Eligible? Check These Requirements

Before you get excited, make sure you qualify:

✅ You're already using WFS to fulfill U.S. orders on Walmart.com
✅ Your Walmart Marketplace account is in good standing (if you've been selling less than 90 days, approval might take longer)
✅ You have validated tax and billing settings in Seller Center with an ACH account or credit card on file
✅ You source or manufacture goods in China

If you checked all boxes, you're ready to enroll.

The Enrollment Process (It's Easier Than You Think)

What You'll Need Before Starting:

Your Importer of Record (IOR) details – Your IOR must have a continuous U.S. customs bond with sufficient value to cover duties, taxes, and fees
Customs broker information (you can use Walmart's designated broker or your own)
ACH account setup for paying customs fees

The Steps:

Go to your Seller Center → Settings → Shipping Profile → Walmart Imports
Complete the enrollment application with all required documentation
Wait for document signing (Walmart will send docs to your signatory parties)
Get verified (Walmart reviews all documentation)
Receive approval notification via email

Timeline: It typically takes several days for Walmart's team to verify and approve your enrollment request.

What to Expect After Enrollment

Shipping Times

Under normal conditions, expect 38-60 calendar days from cargo ready date to delivery:

West Coast: ~40 days
Midwest: ~50 days
East Coast: ~58 days

How Your Inventory Gets Distributed

Once your containers clear U.S. customs:

Standard items: Distributed across multiple fulfillment centers for faster delivery to customers
Oversized items: Stay at the destination fulfillment center

The Real Benefits (Beyond Just Shipping)

Cost Savings

You get access to Walmart's negotiated ocean freight rates instead of volatile spot market pricing. For smaller sellers who typically can't secure contract rates, this is a game-changer.

Operational Simplicity

Everything happens in your Seller Center – quoting, booking, tracking, and payments. No juggling multiple logistics providers or systems.

Strategic Advantage

With global supply chain congestion hitting hard in 2024, Walmart is filling a crucial need for smaller businesses that struggle to get cargo space from major ocean carriers.

Important Things to Know

Product Restrictions

Only general goods and excepted dangerous goods are eligible for full container loads. If you're shipping items that might be considered hazardous, additional screening applies.

Container Options

Full Container Load (FCL): Best for larger shipments
Less Than Container Load (LCL): Perfect for smaller quantities

Support When You Need It

You get dedicated support with exception handling and inbound prioritization throughout the entire shipment cycle.

Ready to Stop Seeing "Domestic Only"?

If you're tired of being locked out of direct China-to-U.S. shipping options, Walmart Cross Border enrollment is your solution. The program transforms a frustrating limitation into a competitive advantage.

Your next step is simple: Head to your Seller Center, navigate to Settings → Shipping Profile → Walmart Imports, and start your enrollment process today.

Once you're approved, you'll unlock the same enterprise-level logistics network that Walmart uses – giving your China-sourced products a direct path to U.S. customers at negotiated rates.

Don't let a missing enrollment keep you stuck with domestic-only options. Your inventory (and your profit margins) deserve better.

Ready to scale your Walmart business with better logistics? Learn more about optimizing your marketplace strategy at Growth Scalers.

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