Walmart.com Supplier Packaging and Labeling Manual
1
Walmart.com
Supplier Packaging and
Labeling Manual
Updated July 2013
Table of Contents
5.1. Corrugated (Paper Fiber Board) Specifications for all Shipments ........................... 7
5.2. Additional Standards for Shipments to Walmart.com Fulfillment Centers ............. 7
6.5. Non-Standard Shipping Carton (Masterpacks or Overpacks) ................................ 12
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Creating the SHIPPING CONTAINER BAR CODE SCC-14 (I 2 OF 5) ................................ 28
10.3 Global Standards for Wood Packaging Materials (WPM) ..................................... 34
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1. Introduction
Founded in January 2000, Walmart.com is a wholly owned subsidiary of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Where Walmart has made a science of supply chain technology and efficiency, Walmart.com seeks to replicate that success in the realm of Internet commerce and fulfillment. Traditionally, products were transported from manufacturer or vendor to distribution center and to retail center via truckload and less-than-truckload carriers. Walmart.com's direct-to-consumer channel requires our suppliers to ship individual units, often in the small parcel environment.
Therefore, the packaging requirements of our direct-to-consumer channel are more vigorous, with both internal and external packaging enhancements often necessary.
This manual is designed to assist you in successfully packaging for the direct-to-consumer channel (Walmart.com) only .
Please note that if you are shipping for Wal-Mart Stores then you will need to refer to the stores document at the following location in Retail Link:
Retail Link Wal-Mart Supplier Information Manuals
Walmart DC Labeling and Packaging
Requirements
2. General Statements
Package design and material selection are the responsibility of the supplier.
Packaging methods must conform to the minimum standards contained in this document.
Any individual selling unit must be packed in a way that the packaging will withstand the rigors of direct-to-consumer transportation.
Any deviation from the guidelines contained in this manual must be communicated in detail to your merchant and the operations team, and written approval must be obtained before implementation.
A sample shipment may be required to be tested to prove that the packaging withstands delivery conditions and to allow Walmart.com to review the packaging.
3. Package Testing
Walmart.com may require that products pass an ISTA (International Safe Transit Association) transit test in their own packaging to ensure that products will withstand the rigors of small parcel or LTL transportation and arrive to the Walmart.com customer in perfect condition. We therefore recommend that all of our suppliers have their product proactively transit tested.
Walmart.com utilizes the ISTA 3A, 2A, and 2B transit test procedures, which are simulations designed to test the packaging and product integrity of individually shipped items during the transportation process. The lab will determine which test is right for your product.
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Though it is the supplier‘s responsibility that the product be tested at a 3 rd
party, independent
ISTA Certified Laboratory, we have negotiated discounted rates with two test labs that are available to our suppliers. Please contact MLM@walmart.com
for transit test information.
Additional information on transit testing can be found at the International Safe Transit
Association's website: http://www.ista.org/
Damages:
Walmart.com does not allow ANY damages on the product itself (i.e. broken parts, scratched or dented surfaces, etc). The level of package degradation should be kept to a minimum. Though we understand that package degradation is unavoidable, the objective is to present the customer with an intact package that does not show any major rips or tears in the corrugate.
For more information on transit test procedures, test labs and rates, please contact
MLM@walmart.com
.
4. Environmental Sustainability
As Wal-Mart, Walmart.com, and Sam’s Club continue to focus on being more environmentally sustainable, we focus on packaging that is good for the environment and good for business.
Product and package quality does not need to be compromised in order to deliver an environmentally sustainable package.
4.1. Principles
Use the following principles to achieve a better package design in order to achieve best results for Walmart.com customers and the Environment.
Reduce Packaging o “Right-Size” packages and optimized material strength. o Design package appropriately for contents, merchandise requirements and transportation needs.
Reuse Packaging o Pallets - Use of Pooled Pallets ex. CHEP, IFCO, iGPS, PECO etc. (all pallets must meet or exceed GMA Grade A specifications) o RPC - Reusable Plastic Containers
Renewable Packaging o Use materials made of renewable resources. o Select materials that are biodegradable or compostable.
Recyclable Packaging o Use materials made of highest recycled content possible without compromising quality. o Use Post Consumer Recycled Material (PCR) where appropriate. o Components should be chosen based on recycle-ability post use. o Build packaging out of single material components for easy sorting and recycling.
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4.2. Materials List
This page contains a list of preferred materials and material compositions for use in packaging design at Walmart, Walmart.com and Sam’s Club. This list is not all encompassing or exclusive.
Wood / Paper Fiber
Preferred Materials: o Highest recycled content without compromising required strength and quality. o Virgin-wood fibers certified by an independent, third-party sustainable forestry organization. o Corrugated constructed with wax replacements materials.
Less Desirable Materials: o No ancient forest fibers. o No heavy metals or other toxins. o Reduce the usage of hazardous chlorine compounds. o Do Not Use Wax Impregnated Medium, Curtain Coated Corrugated, Cascade Boxes
Plastics
Preferred Materials: o High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) o Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) o Plyethylene Teraphthalate (PET) o Recycled Polyethylene Teraphthalate (RPET) o Ethylene Vinyl Acette (EVA) o Polypropylene (PP) o Polylactic Acid (PLA)
Less Desirable Materials: o Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) o Polyurethanes (PU) o Polystyrene (PS) o Acylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) o Polycarbonates (PC) o Acrylic
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5. General Packaging Requirements
To help ensure that your packages get to both Walmart.com Fulfillment Centers and our customers in good condition, Walmart.com has developed the following Corrugated (paper fiber board) Specifications to help you maximize your product packing process and minimize damages. The corrugated box you choose must be able to withstand the shipping cycle and still retain its protective qualities.
5.1. Corrugated (Paper Fiber Board) Specifications for all Shipments o Reused corrugated material is not accepted. Recycled corrugated material is acceptable. o Both single-wall and double-wall corrugated containers are acceptable as long as the strength requirements defined in the tables provided on page 8 are met. o It is recommended that domestically-produced cartons have a box maker‘s certificate (BMC) stamp on the bottom flap of the carton. Please see page 8 for BMC example. o Corrugated packaging shall be of adequate strength to support multiple stacking of pallet loads. o A Bursting Test Strength appropriate for the product weight (see table on page 8) with a minimum rating of 200 lbs per square inch is strongly recommended (displayed on the BMC stamp for domestically-produced cartons). o All cartons must have an equal product weight distribution. o All carton and packaging surfaces must be flat and strong enough to support the package weight without distortion, deflection or bending. o Cartons must be sealed with 3" wide poly tape with a minimum thickness of 1.5mm. o Display of the vendor name on the tape is not recommended to prevent pilferage. o Exterior strapping of any kind should be avoided as it is often used as a handle and causes tearing of the corrugate. o Cartons may be shrink-wrapped as long as the mil is thick enough to hold up to normal
Distribution Center (DC) processing (80-gauge, 15-inch). o Please do not put labels on the shrink wrap. Secure all labels on the inside of the shrink wrap. o Generally, cartons shall not include handles or openings. In the event that the Walmart.com buyer approves such features, the opening must be strong enough to be used as a handle or clearly marked with “Do Not Use As Handle”. o No product should be packed in an open-face or display box.
5.2. Additional Standards for Shipments to Walmart.com Fulfillment Centers
All products shipped to a Walmart.com Fulfillment Center must arrive in a warehouse pack carton (master carton) capable of withstanding the rigors of inbound transportation and conveyance as an individual unit. o In the event of product designated as “ship-alone” or “ship-as-is”, the warehouse pack carton must be capable of serving as the outbound carton when shipped to the customer. o A selling unit that exceeds 30”x26”x30” on any dimension must have packaging that is capable of serving as the outbound carton when shipped to the Customer. It must be able to ship-as-is in its packaging. (It will not be overboxed by WM.com prior to shipment).
Failure to adhere to this policy may result in a chargeback to the supplier. o Rugs, mattresses, and cushions in sturdy, plastic bags that can ship-as-is are acceptable.
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o Items that stack inside each other for shipment, like plastic bins and garbage cans, are acceptable without ship-as-is packaging. o Supplier pack carton dimensions & weight as well as individual shipping dimensions & weight of the sell-unit must be submitted to the Walmart.com buyer prior to initial shipment to a Walmart.com Fulfillment Center.
We strongly recommend the following Box Strength Guidelines for single-wall and double-wall corrugated boxes to help ensure sufficient protection for your shipments:
Max. Weight of Box &
Contents (lbs)
Min. Burst Strength
(lbs. per sq. in.)
Min. Edge Crush
Strength (lbs. Per in. width)
Size Limit (inches)
(length + width + depth)
0 – 20
21 – 35
36 – 50
51 – 65
66 – 80
Max. Weight of Box &
Contents (lbs)
Single-wall Corrugated Box
200
200
250
275
350
32
40
44
55
N/A
Min. Burst Strength
(lbs. per sq. in.)
Min. Edge Crush
Strength (lbs. Per in. width)
0 – 80
81 – 100
101 – 120
121 – 140
141 – 160
Double-wall Corrugated Box
200
275
350
400
500
161 – 180 600
Gross Weight Limit:
Specifies the maximum weight the completely packaged box can contain. This weight limit is published and recognized by the national motor freight industry, and is tailored to full truckload and less-than-truckload carriers.
42
48
51
61
71
82
75
75
85
95
105
Size Limit (inches)
(length + width + depth)
85
95
105
110
115
120
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6. Carton Handling
Walmart’s Logistics Network incorporates state-of-the-art technology as part of providing exceptional service to our stores. The physical appearance and structural integrity of the shipping carton is as important to our customer as the commodity itself. The supplier is responsible to ensure proper packaging to protect their product as it moves throughout the supply chain. Walmart requires the following carton specifications to ensure efficient
Distribution Center processing.
6.1. Pack Types a. Master Pack
Walmart uses this term to define a package shipped from the Supplier to the Distribution Center that contains multiple vendor packs inside one carton. It is NOT advisable to ship in Master
Packs. Purchase orders are written specifying the number of Vendor Packs ordered and that should be the quantity configuration. To ship in a configuration different than what the PO specifies can result in delayed payment, wrong quantities to stores, delayed processing and many other issues. b. Vendor Pack
Walmart uses this term to define the package shipped from the Supplier to the Distribution
Center as specified on the PO. Vendor Pack quantity will be expressed as the number of Total
Selling Eaches in the configuration the Supplier ships to the DC.
c. Warehouse Pack
This term is defined as the pack contained within the vendor pack. This includes case-packs and break-packs, both of which are defined below. d. Case-pack
Indicates that the item was created with matching Vendor Pack (shipping case) and
Warehouse Pack (inner-pack) quantities. The store receives the entire case quantity.
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e. Break-pack
If it is not practical to ship an item to the stores in a full case-pack quantity and/or the vendor pack case is too small to be conveyable, your buyer should create the item as a break-pack. A break-pack item is any item with a vendor pack quantity that is larger than the warehouse pack quantity. These items will be ordered from the supplier in the vendor pack quantity. Within the vendor pack, the supplier is required to securely pack the merchandise according to the warehouse pack quantity. The warehouse pack must be contained so that the picks do not come loose during the order filling process. Plastic or cardboard bands or sleeves are not recommended.
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6.2. Conveyable Shipping Cartons (Vendor Pack Cases)
Case pack cartons that fall within the following minimum and maximum case requirements are considered conveyable. RDC and FDC DCs have conveyors. GDCs do not. Conveyable merchandise must be packaged to withstand normal conditions within a Distribution Center.
Conveyable cases and packaging can be subjected to heavy compression on the rollers and belts as well as vibration, abrasion, temperature and humidity changes during normal DC handling and processing. Conveyable cases and packaging must be able to withstand a standard 3 foot drop test. Cases must stay intact and protect the merchandise within the case.
Minimum Requirements - 9” long, 4” wide, 3” tall, at least 2 lbs.
Maximum Requirements - 48” long, 24“ wide, 30” tall, no more than 55 lbs.
OR
36” long, 25” wide, 30” tall, no more than 55 lbs.
Items that do not meet the minimum conveyable case dimensions of 9” long, 4” wide and 3” high and weighs less than 2 lbs. may have to be created as a break-pack item.
6.3. Conveyable Cases and Packaging o Cases cannot have protrusions or any banding on the outer packaging.
o Cases or packaging cannot be round or irregular.
o Items must be tightly secured within their case.
o Hazardous merchandise or liquid merchandise cannot leak if the package is broken.
o A supplier’s internal bar code label should not be placed on the top of the case as it may interfere with the conveyor’s scanning equipment.
o Corrugate cases wrapped in plastic must have a solid flat base with no loose plastic or loose ends. Plastic must be a thick enough mil so that it does not tear or pull loose when riding the conveyor.
Conveyable cases that are not packaged properly negatively impact the speed and efficiency of freight flow through the DCs. Conveyable items that have to be processed in the nonconveyable area due to poor packaging are manually sorted and brought to the shipping dock.
The shipping Associates must manually load the items to the trailer. Poor or insufficient packaging will increase overall supplier costs by adding delays and additional case handling requirements into the shipping process thereby reducing supply chain efficiency. a. Conveyable Warehouse Packs (Inner-Packs)
If the warehouse pack meets the conveyable case requirements, every effort should be made to set the item up with the buyer as a case pack. It is very inefficient for the DC to handle conveyable freight through the break-pack process.
6.4. Non-Conveyable Cartons
Although we prefer conveyable cases, not all cases and packaging can be conveyed in our
Distribution Centers. Certain items are naturally too large or awkward to be conveyable. For example, bicycles, outdoor furniture, lawnmowers, large TV’s, tires, garden tools, and long rugs.
These items exceed the maximum dimensions and weight for conveyable cases and are acceptable non-conveyable items. o Non-conveyable cartons. The maximum height is 85’’ without a pallet. This is also the maximum carton height when creating a configuration for a pallet “pull item”. A “pallet pull” is an item that is shipped to stores as an entire pallet.
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6.5. Non-Standard Shipping Carton (Masterpacks or Overpacks)
A “Masterpack” is a carton that contains more than one “Vendor pack” . Suppliers at times request to combine several vendor packs into one masterpack to save on shipping costs. This practice is not recommended since Walmart DCs receive by the vendor pack and Purchase
Orders may be received short if “masterpacked”.
6.6. Additional Carton Considerations a. Container Surface
All cartons and packaging surfaces must be flat and strong enough to support its weight without distortion, deflection or bending. b. Adhesives
Since our DC’s are located throughout the United States, flaps should remain secure with an adhesive that can withstand normal handling, compression, humidity and a range of temperatures. c. Openings, Gaps & Windows
Any openings or windows on a case must be capable of being used as hand holds during the order filling process. Openings or bullet holes in shrink wrap must not allow the product to fall out of their case or tray. d. Perforated Cartons
Perforated cartons must be able to withstand warehouse handling without damage. e. Liquids
All liquids should be marked “THIS SIDE UP” by the supplier and shipped accordingly. f. Compression
Cases must be able to withstand side-to-side and end-to-end compression that normally occurs on the DC’s conveyor system. Reduce airspace within a case to avoid product damage. If your product is packaged in perforated cartons, ensure they comply with the proper compression standards. g. Vibration & Abrasion
Conveyable containers will ride several miles of rollers and belts on the conveyor system, so quality packaging is required. This is particularly important for: o Heavy merchandise with relatively small footprints that concentrate pressure on a very small area of the container. o Containers with shrink-wrap or film for containment. o Items packaged in glass containers. h. Glass/ Ceramic/ Fragile Merchandise Packaging Requirements
Items packaged in glass containers must have a corrugate divider in between the glass to reduce damages from compression and vibration. o Product should never be shipped in a carton/container/primary packaging where it is in direct contact with like product within the same container. No glass on glass contact. o Corrugated partitions or equivalent are required to be used for this type application.
(See Photo and Graphic Illustration Below)
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o Partitions & Layer Barrier should be manufactured of a substrate capable of protecting merchandise from impact damage from normal handling and transportation. o A corrugated shipper should also be engineered to properly protect this type of product from impact and handling damage. o All cartons containing fragile merchandise should be clearly marked with a graphic icon depicting the fragility of the merchandise (See Graphic Illustration below)
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i. Shrink-Wrapped Cases (Heat Shrink Plastic)
Cartons may be contained with shrink-wrap as long as the mil (thickness) is sufficient enough to withstand abrasion, stacking, or protrusions encountered in normal handling, conveying, as well as the loading and unloading process . The carton base must be flat and rigid with a corrugate tray or pad. Plastic must fit tightly around the case with no loose ends. Bullet holes on the ends of the containers should be small enough so that the product does not fall out of the case during normal distribution center handling. j. Straps and Bands
Straps or bands are not allowed on conveyable merchandise. Straps and bands are only allowed on produce pallets and non-conveyable items such as swing-sets, tables, or other heavy type merchandise over 55 pounds. All straps and bands must be either plastic or some other material other than metal. Banding together multiple vendor pack cases is not allowed.
If an item consists of multiple boxes in a set or bundle, a different UPC needs to be assigned to each box.
6.7. Case and Pallet Handling Graphics
The exterior of the shipping unit carton should be marked with ONLY the applicable symbols or icons. These symbols will assist the shipper, our Distribution Centers, and stores in determining proper handling necessary for the shipping carton to arrive at the destination in good condition.
The graphics and description must be large and easy to read by the handler. a. Hazmat Labeling Compliance
Shipping cartons containing hazardous materials must be marked within DOT regulations. o Cartons that are shipped to Walmart that do not comply with DOT regulations must be relabeled prior to shipping to the customer at the supplier’s expense. o Hazmat markings cannot be obstructed or covered by any other labeling. o Hazmat labels cannot be folded over the edge of the shipping carton.
Hazmat Marking Obstructed
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6.8. Polybags for Inner Packs
Polybags may be used for inner packs. The polybag must be sealed shut, so the product cannot fall out of the bag during orderfilling. Small holes in the bag are acceptable if the product cannot fall out. Hangers must be enclosed within the polybag for replenishment apparel sets. Articles packaged in plastic or poly bag that are less than one mil require a warning statement to be printed on the bag to caution consumers that the bag is not a toy and could cause suffocation if used improperly.
Warning: To avoid danger of suffocation, keep this plastic bag away from babies and children.
Do not use this bag in cribs, beds, carriages or playpens. This bag is not a toy.
See “Plastic Bag Safety Labeling Requirements Appendix A” for additional details.
Only an English warning is required if all other labeling is only in English. However, if any labeling text (warning, quantity statements, declarations of responsible party, etc.) is translated, all regulatory information must be translated. For more detail on this requirement, see
“Multiple Language Label Notice Appendix E”.
Outer poly bags for apparel should be Clear Polyethylene at least 1.25 mil thick with the following specifications: o Low Density, Virgin Polyethylene o Medium Slip, HI Anti Block (a super floss additive that prevents poly bags from sticking together) o No BHT (BHT is Butylated Hydroztoluene prevents garments from yellowing) o Puncture Resistant o Import – PE 04 Polyethylene bags are acceptable o Small holes in the bag are acceptable if the product cannot fall out.
Unacceptable poly bags are Dry Cleaner bags and Import poly bags made from Polypropylene commonly referred to as PP.
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7. Hardlines Specific Packaging Requirements
Certain product types require additional packaging standards to ensure a damage-free transit.
The following section details product specific guidelines.
7.1. Tabletop (Dishware) o Handling warnings such as “No Clamp”, “Handle With Care”, “Fragile”, and stacking limits shall be printed on the carton. o Arrows indicating stacking and handling directions. o The unit box containing the individual dishware should be constructed with a burst strength that allows a five foot stack height in the warehouse. o Individual components of the dishware must be packed in a manner to prevent movement during transit. o Corrugated material, bubble wrap or other protective material should be used as
“separators” to ensure individual pieces do not rub or make contact against each other. o Cups must be positioned in such way that the handle is adequately protected against breakage.
7.2. Furniture incl. Baby and Outdoor Furniture o Arrows indicating stacking and handling directions shall be printed on the carton. o Handling Warning such as “Team Lift” shall be printed on the carton. o If the product is packed in multiple cartons, each carton must indicate “Carton 1 of 2”,
“Carton 2 of 2” and so forth. o Interior carton must be reinforced with additional corrugate or foamed Polyethylene. o The carton should be constructed with a burst strength that allows a five foot stack height in the warehouse. o Poly-ethane foam sheeting shall be used to blanket the individual components and protect the finish. o Poly-ethane foam sheeting must be a minimum 1/16“ thick. o To avoid heavy abrasion of the carton edges we strongly recommend applying edge protectors to the carton (as shown in pictures A and B below) o Items such as glass top tables need special protection. Foam or extra corrugate sheets must be added to prevent any damage.
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Picture A Picture B
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7.3. Large Electronics (Computers, TV‘s and Monitors)
Due to their very fragile nature, large Electronics such as Computers, TV‘s and Monitors require special packaging to ensure safe transit through the Ground network. o We strongly recommend to double-box all large Electronics by placing the manufacturer‘s box in another, slightly larger carton. o Place a paperboard frame inside the outer carton to suspend the manufacturer‘s box in the middle of the outer carton (as shown in picture C) o Inside the manufacturer‘s carton we suggest using customized molds to secure the product
(as shown in pictures D and E). Rather than using Styrofoam for the customized molds we recommend “foamed plastic” (also shown in pictures D and E) o The entire item should be wrapped in either thick poly-ethane sheets or bubble wrap. o Additional protection such as foam sheets is required for Monitors and TV screens. o Arrows indicating stacking and handling directions shall be printed on the carton.
Picture C
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Picture D Picture E
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8. Softlines Specific Packaging Requirements
The following section outlines Softlines Specific Packaging Requirements. Please make sure to follow these requirements carefully.
8.1. General Requirements o All merchandise must be pre-folded. o No hangers, pins, or paper should be used. o All merchandise (excluding shoes) requires hang tags. o Merchandise must be packed as one size/one color per carton. Assorted cartons can NOT be received and may result in a chargeback. o Full carton weight must be less than or equal to 70 lbs. Supplier Pack carton dimensions should be less than or equal 29.75“x15.75“x11.75“. o Warehouse Pack carton (Master Carton) dimensions should be less than or equal
30“x26“x26“. o The recommended shipping method into Walmart.com distribution centers is palletized.
Approval to floor load or slip sheet inbound freight must be obtained from the Walmart.com
Inbound Transportation team at labeling@walmart.com
. o Like UPC‘s should be grouped together on LTL shipments. The Bill of Lading should indicate
"Do NOT break down" on LTL shipments. o Carton pack quantities must be the same for all cartons shipped of each UPC and should be as specified by the Merchant in the commitment sheet. o Subclass for all Walmart.com items is 00
8.2. Apparel Packaging Requirements o Walmart.com apparel items must have hangtags. The hangtag information should be visible after the item is bagged. o The tag must contain the UPC-A in both numeral and barcode format. o It should contain the item description in either long or short format and the apparel unit size. o The size of the tag does not matter but must be a minimum size to supply the information required. o There should be no WPM or WPMC wording on the hangtag. o Your Walmart.com buyer may have additional hangtag requirements. o The recommended maximum dimensions of an apparel item when folded are 20”x14”x2”. o All Merchandise excluding shoes must be bagged as individual selling units in sealed, clear polybags. Polybag Packs will always be ONE. Do not put more than one selling unit in a single polybag. o Shoes - each pair must be placed in both a shoe box AND an outer carton. o Polybags or shoe box and outer carton must contain a UPC-A barcode label on the exterior of the polybag or shoe box and outer carton. o The front of the polybag should be unmarked with a UPC-A sticker at the bottom right (see
Inner Packaging Example on the following page). o The below warning should be printed on the backside of the polybag in black letters:
WARNING: THIS BAG IS NOT A TOY.
To avoid danger of suffocation, keep away from babies and children. Do not use in or near cribs, beds, carriages, or playpens.
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o The total length and width of the polybag determines the font size for the warning. o See “Plastic Bag Safety Labeling Requirements Appendix A” for additional details.
o If all labeling text is only in English, the suffocation warning is only required in English.
However, if any labeling text (warning, quantity statements, declarations of responsible party, etc.) is translated, all regulatory information including the suffocation warning must be translated. For more detail on this requirement, see “Multiple Language Label Notice
Appendix E”.
Apparel - Inner Packaging Example
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8.3. Blankets, Comforters and Pillows o All blankets, comforters or pillows must be individually polybagged. o All comforters must be polybagged and cartonized. Please make sure the carton is appropriately sized. The carton should not warp or lose its shape. o The front of the polybag should be unmarked with a UPC-A sticker at the bottom right. o The below warning should be printed on the backside of the polybag in black letters:
WARNING: THIS BAG IS NOT A TOY.
To avoid danger of suffocation, keep away from babies and children. Do not use in or near cribs, beds, carriages, or playpens. o The total length and width of the polybag determines the font size for the warning. o See “Plastic Bag Safety Labeling Requirements Appendix A” for additional details.
o If all labeling text is only in English, the suffocation warning is only required in English.
However, if any labeling text (warning, quantity statements, declarations of responsible party, etc.) is translated, all regulatory information including the suffocation warning must be translated. For more detail on this requirement, see “Multiple Language Label Notice
Appendix E”.
8.4. Rugs/Mats and Mattresses o Rugs and Mats need to be rolled and bagged as individual selling units. o The polybag should be at least 3 mm thick, be completely sealed and include a UPC-A label on the outside of the polybag. o White or clear polybags are acceptable.
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9. UPC and Carton Labeling Requirements (Domestic)
The following section outlines Walmart.com specific UPC and Labeling requirements for domestic shipments only .
For Direct Imports , please refer to Retail Link Site Map Global Direct Importing
Information Supplier Global Shipping Case Requirements for Direct Imports.
9.1. UPC Requirements
Failure to adhere to the following requirements could result in re-labeling by the Walmart.com
Fulfillment Center and charge backs to the Supplier.
Barcodes must: o Adhere to UPC-A (aka GTIN-12) format standards o Be scannable and accurate (remember to test barcodes and verify check digits before shipping) o Accurately represent the product on which they are placed o Be placed on ALL shipping cases o Be positioned correctly on the shipping case (see sec 8.2) o Be properly sized (see sec. 8.3) o Not be covered, marked, torn, or damaged in any way that renders them unreadable by scanners or the human eye.
For Walmart.com assortments please place the UPC-A label of the parent assortment on the shipping case (not the individual item UPC's).
UPC-A Structure
The UPC-A barcode is a 12-digit number consisting of a number system character (NSC), manufacturer's number, item code and a check digit. Both the NSC and check digit must be represented on your product.
The NSC is the first digit in the UPC. The NSC serves to identify the meaning of the subsequent numbers, as well as category type. o 0 – Regular grocery and all general type merchandise o 1 – Variable length UCC company prefix o 2 – Random-weight items used by the grocery industry, such as meat and produce o 3 – Health related and drug items o 4 – In-store, in-house, marked non-food items o 5 – Coupons o 6 – Regular grocery and all general type merchandise o 7 – Regular grocery and all general type merchandise o 8 – Variable length UCC company prefix o 9 – Variable length UCC company prefix
For NSC digits 0, 2, 3, 5, 6 & 7 – The UCC assigns the next five digits of the manufacturer's number.
For NSC digits 1, 8 & 9 – The UCC assigns a variable length manufacturer's number.
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For NSC digit 4 – Your company assigns the remainder of the manufacturer and identification number and can only be used in-store or in-house.
The item code will consist of 0-5 digits depending on the number system character used and the length of the manufacturer's code assigned by the UCC. When the item code is greater than zero, you will assign and maintain it. The item code should be unique for each item type
(including size, flavor, promotion, etc.)
The last number in the UPC is the check digit. It is used as a numeric check of the other 11 digits.
We use the check digit to verify the bar code when new items are created. When completing all forms or spreadsheets for your respective buying department, it is imperative you include the number system character and the check digit.
Check Character Calculation
To determine your check digit, use this five-step algorithm and the first 11 digits.
UPC 012345678905
1.
Starting at the left, add all characters in the odd positions, beginning with the NSC.
0+2+4+6+8+0=20
2.
Multiply the sum obtained in step 1 by 3. 20x3=60
3.
Starting from the left, add all the even position characters. 1+3+5+7+9=25
4.
Add the product of Step 2 to the sum of step 3. 60+25=85
5.
The check character is the smallest number which, when added to the sum of step 4, produces a multiple of 10. 85+5=90 The check character is 5
For more information about UPC-A format standards please refer to Retail Link Site Map
Wal-Mart Supplier Information Manuals UPC Requirements.
Examples of Incorrect UPCs:
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Incorrect UPC format (not UPC-A)
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UPC is covered (and incorrect UPC format)
9.2. UPC Label Placement o Apply the UPC-A label to the longest side of the shipping case. o DO NOT place any labels on the bottom of the shipping case.
9.3. UPC Sizing Standards
Please follow the following standards for maximum and minimum sizes for the actual UPC-A barcode on the label. UPC sizes are specified as "magnifications", which refer to the size of the actual barcode and NOT the label size. We have no specified size for the label.
The largest acceptable barcode size is the 200% magnification (please see picture below), which is 76.2 mm wide (3“) and 50.8 mm high (2“). The minimum size is 80% magnification, which is
30.48 mm wide (1 3/16“) and 15.86 mm high (5/8“).
23 Updated July 2013
9.4. Carton Marking Requirements (Domestic)
Domestic shipments only. Direct Import suppliers please refer to Retail Link Site Map
Global Direct Importing Information Supplier Global Shipping Case Requirements for
Direct Imports
Because of the variety of Warehouse Management Systems utilized by Walmart and 3 rd
Party
Warehouse services for receiving Walmart.com freight, Suppliers are required to have the following carton marking information on all standard shipping cartons: o Product Identification Information o Shipping Label o Clearly identifiable UPC-A (aka GTIN-12) format barcode o SCC-14 Bar Code (Required for shipping into Distribution Centers)
Standard shipping cartons are full cases containing one or more retail selling units (“eaches”).
Non-standard applies to pre-assembled displays, non conveyable merchandise and specially packaged merchandise.
Product Identification Information
All cartons must be printed with the following human readable information: o Vendor Stock Number o Product Description o Sell by Date (if applicable) o Pack Size (number of selling units in the carton) o Color, Size or Style (if applicable) o Walmart Item Number o Temperature control instructions (if applicable) o For Walmart private label orders, please also include any other mark required by that department’s Packaging Tool Kit.
Note : Perishable products must be dated with a pack date or sell-by date. If the pack date is used as a reference, the supplier must provide guidelines to maintain freshness and quality. If the item contains a sell-by date on the retail unit, the outside of the carton should be clearly marked with the sell-by date. If the item is coded, the supplier must provide instructions on deciphering the code.
Carton marking information may be printed directly on the corrugated carton or printed on a label and applied to each shipping carton. If stenciling is the only means to mark the cartons, then a minimum of one quarter inch (1/4”) lettering must be used. Exceptions would only pertain to bagged products or non-corrugated packaging (i.e. potting soil, bagged dog food, ladders, etc.) where the information is visible on the bag.
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Carton Markings:
Printed on Carton
Carton Markings:
Printed on Label
Product ID Label
Shipping Label UPC-A Shipping Label UPC-A
SCC-14 Bar Code SCC-14 Bar Code
Product ID
Label
Enlarged
Carton markings should not be confused with Shipping Labels. Carton markings identify all information that is particular to the supplier while the shipping label identifies information that is particular to Wal-Mart such as where the box is being shipped, PO #, Item #, etc.
It is permissible to print all the carton markings on a label OR directly to the box. This label should then be placed on at least one side of the product.
NOTE: If the stock numbers are very similar and the box size is the same, it is easy for the DC to misapply the freight to the wrong line on the purchase order. To keep this from happening, be sure the stock numbers are large enough to be easily read and/or color code the cases if applicable. If shipping multiple items on the same pallet, load in layers on the pallet with a slipsheet or similar barrier placed between the items.
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9.5. Shipping Label Requirements (Domestic)
Domestic shipments only. Direct Import suppliers please refer to Retail Link Site Map
Global Direct Importing Information
Supplier Global Shipping Case Requirements for
Direct Imports
Suppliers are required to use the below standard shipping label format for domestic shipments.
Walmart does not provide a template for this label. Shipping labels should not have shine or glare as it can affect the scan of the bar code. Shipping labels are recommended to be 4X6 inches when including the bar code information, but can vary with different size boxes as needed. The standard shipping label must contain the following: o “Ship From” Address — Suppliers address, city, state, zip code o “Ship To” Address — Wal-Mart DC address, city, state, zip code including expanded GLN address o Postal Bar Code — (optional) o Carrier Name- (Optional if shipping collect) o Pro Number — (Optional if shipping collect) o Bill of Lading Number — (Optional if shipping collect) o Facility / Location— 5 digits (Walmart DC Number, i.e. 06094) o Purchase Order Type — 4 digits (PO TYPE, i.e. 0020) o Department Number — 5 digits (Walmart DEPT number, i.e. 00013) o Purchase Order Number — 10 digits (ORDER #) o Wal-Mart Item Number- (WMIT #) o Shipping Container Code (SCC-14) Bar Code (Required for shipping into Distribution
Centers) o 12-Digit item UPC in UPC-A format
26 Updated July 2013
Note: It is acceptable to have the SCC-14 and UPC-A bar codes on the shipping label, on a separate label, or pre-printed on the carton. o If the SCC-14 bar code is pre-printed on the carton or on a separate label, use example shipping label “A”. o The SCC-14 bar code can be part of the shipping label if not pre-printed on the carton or on a separate label. Then, use shipping label “B”.
Shipping Label Examples
Example shipping label “A” Example shipping label “B”
Order# is the Purchase Order #
Example Shipping Label B includes
SCC-14 Barcode required for all shipments into Walmart
Distribution Centers
9.6 SCC-14 Interleaved 2 of 5 Bar Code
The SCC-14 interleaved 2 of 5 bar code is not required to be provided to Wal-Mart before it is received in the distribution center. Each individual DC catalogs the bar code information into their system when they receive the merchandise upon first receipt. The bar code is recommended to be .75” in height and 3” long.
Interleaved 2 of 5 is a numbers only bar code. The high density code is 14 characters in length with the final digit as a check digit. The “interleaved” part of the name comes from the fact that a digit is encoded in the bars and the next digit is encoded in the spaces. The encoded digits are
“interleaved” together. More information regarding the SCC-14 Interleaved 2 of 5 bar code and bar code generating software can be found through internet search engines.
SCC-14 Carton Bar Code Location
If the SCC-14 bar code is not on the shipping label, the SCC-14 bar code must be located right of center on the longest side of the shipping carton. The bottom of the bars must be no less than
1.25 inches above the container's natural bottom and no more than 3.0 inches above the containers natural bottom. The outer edge of the right quiet zone must be no closer than 0.75 inches to the right edge of the vertical face. It is important to maintain these locations to prevent damage of the bar code due to "edge crush".
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Creating the SHIPPING CONTAINER BAR CODE SCC-14 (I 2 OF 5)
It is the supplier’s responsibility to create the SCC-14 bar code. Walmart does not provide the tools or software necessary to create bar codes. The 14-digit bar code (Interleaved 2 of 5) provides a unique SKU identification number that is cross-referenced at the DC to a specific
Walmart.com item and pack. The SCC-14 is very similar to the 12-digit UPC product code. Both symbols use a unique manufacturer’s number that identifies the merchandise producer or labeler and a 5-digit item number assigned by the manufacturer to a specific product. The SCC-
14 provides additional pack level identification for any given carton.
SHIPPING CONTAINER CODE FORMAT
0
PI
Packaging
Indicator
Indicator
Number
SCC - 14 Character Identification
First Digit - Packaging Indicator
00
NN
Number System
Character
System
Digit
Characters
12345
Manufacturer
UPC Number
UPC
Number
67890
II
Item ID
Item
I.D.
5
C
Check Digit
Check
The packaging indicator can be any number from 0 to 8. When the vendor pack contains a pack of all the same item UPC, use a packing indicator ranging from 1 thru 8. For example, 1 may represent a pack of 12, 2 may represent a pack of 36, etc. The packaging indicator must be unique only within the same item UPC. It is not necessary to maintain the same PI across different items.
When a carton contains more than one selling unit of multiple different UPC’s, use a packaging indicator of 0 is required. A new item number must be assigned for a standard assortment. The assigned item number must be unique from any other item in your category of products. You may use the UPC assigned by Walmart.com for a standard pack assortment instead of creating a new internal item number. The Walmart standard pack assortment UPC created by the buyer starts with 004, 400, or some form of a 4000 type.
Second & Third Digits - Number System Character
The number system character is assigned by the Uniform Code Council as the first digit in each manufacturer’s 6-digit UPC identification number. A zero is always inserted before the number system character. For example:
• If your selling unit UPC is 0 12345 67890 5 — the NN is 00.
• If your selling unit UPC is 6 12345 67890 7 — the NN is 06.
Digit’s Four Thru Eight - Manufacturer’s UPC Number
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This 5-digit number is always the manufacturer’s UPC identification number. When the number system character is added, the complete manufacturer’s ID number is six digits long.
Digit’s Nine Thru Thirteen - Item ID
There are two ways of assigning a item ID:
1. Use the same 5-digit number assigned to the UPC of the item in the carton.
Bonus packs, promotional packs, special displays, and product containers that have matching
UPC item numbers and standard pack replenishment item numbers must be identified by a unique item number used in conjunction with a PI of 0. On these items, a unique packaging indicator may be used to differentiate these products.
2. Use a unique 5-digit number for each level of packaging of the same product. A unique item number must always be used to identify assortments with more than one consumer package
UPC inside the inner carton or shipping container. When the item number is different than the product inside the shipping container, you must use 0 as the packaging indicator.
Digit Fourteen – Check Digit
The check digit is based on the data from the other 13 digits and the following formula:
Shipping Container Code 0 0012345 67890 5
1. Starting with the packaging indicator, add all the characters in the odd positions.
0+0+2+4+6+8+0=20
2. Multiply the sum by three.
20x3=60
3. Add all the characters in the even positions.
0+1+3+5+7+9=25
4. Add the product from the second step to the sum of the third step.
60+25=85
5. The check digit will be the number that gives the next highest multiple of 10 when added to the sum of step 4.
85+5=90 The check digit is 5.
Use verification equipment to test the shipping container code. Be sure to verify all 14 digits, including the check digit.
Example of Creating the SCC-14 (I 2 OF 5)
Below is an easy way to create the SCC-14 bar code from your 12 digit item UPC.
Example- 6 pk of canned corn. 12 digit item UPC – 0 12345 67890 5
1) Drop check digit on item UPC and add a leading zero- 0 0 12345 67890
2) Establish the PI. Cans of corn in case are all the same. Six pack is the smallest pack size for this item, so your PI would be 1 00 12345 67890
3) Calculate a new check digit following the steps above. 1 00 12345 67890 2
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9.7. Apparel specific UPC and Labeling Requirements o UPC must be at the color/size level.
o UPC-A format barcode labels should show 12 digits upon scanning and writing (including check digit yet eliminating the first preceding digit). Recommended size for UPC sticker is 1" x 2" (see sections 9.1 - 9.3). o Care labels will be the same as Wal-Mart Stores. o All cartons must be labeled per the Wal-Mart Carton Labeling and Marking Requirements
(see section 9.4)
9.8. Bills of Lading and Packing Slips
Bill of Lading
A Bill of Lading must be filled out for each load. All purchase order numbers must be listed on the Bill of Lading with the appropriate Location Number (Walmart.com DC or Store number), location address, purchase order type and total cases by purchase order. Use supplemental pages for additional purchase orders if needed.
When a carrier’s driver signs a bill of lading, they are signing for a specific number of shipping units (typically shrink-wrapped pallets, or cases or pieces for floor loads), or shrink-wrapped pallets), not “eaches”. With this in mind, you must record the quantity of shipping units and all purchase order numbers on the bill of lading. If the shipment is palletized, the drivers are to sign for the number of pallets, not the number of cases or pieces.
Bill of Lading Requirements o Purchase orders for the same Walmart.com DC address should be shipped on one bill of lading if they are on the same load. o The bill of lading must have the carrier name and pro number. If a trailer number is available, please include it on the bill of lading. o If Walmart is to pay freight charges, the bill of lading must be marked “collect”. o If a Walmart Load Number is available, it must be designated on the BOL in the SID field. o If available, the Must Arrive By Date should be specified on the bill of lading (Must Deliver
By Date field) so that the carrier clearly understands the delivery date expectation. o For BOLs that have multiple POs and different MABDs, the earliest MABD should be specified.
For collect shipments, failure to indicate correct consignee name and address, freight terms,
Walmart load number, and PO numbers may result in chargebacks to the vendor.
BOLs for shipments to Walmart.com buildings operated by 3PL providers
Walmart.com makes use of 3PL providers, including Ingram Micro Logistics (IML) and Ozburn
Hessey Logistics (OHL), in its distribution center network. All 3PL distribution centers in the
Walmart.com network have a Walmart store number that will be included on all routing instructions for collect freight to these DCs. When filling out bills of lading for loads going to these facilities, vendors should fill out the consignee field on the BOL to match the destination as it appears on the routing instructions received from Walmart.com.
30 Updated July 2013
Routing instructions sample:
In the situation above, the consignee field on the BOL should be filled out as follows:
Correct Incorrect
Packing Slips
A packing slip must be attached to the outside of the last box loaded on the trailer. The packing slip must be facing outward on the pallet or box in clear view of the unloader. A second packing slip should be made available to the carrier with the bill of lading and the freight bill, to be presented at the transportation office at our warehouse. If shipping LTL, a packing slip must be attached to the outside of one carton for each purchase order.
The packing slip must contain the following information: o Purchase order number. o P.O. type number. o Location number (Walmart.com DC or Store number) o Department number o Shipper’s name and address. o Vendor Stock number and/or Walmart item number. o Case count per item. o Total case count shipped.
31 Updated July 2013
9.9 Shipping Label Placement
Domestic shipments only. Direct Import suppliers please refer to Retail Link
Site Map
Global Direct Importing Information
Supplier Global Shipping Case Requirements for
Direct Imports
Place your shipping labels on the top left corner of the case. This should be on the long side of the box with the bottom of the case laying flat. If your case does not allow for this placement, place the label on the top of the case, making sure the label does not straddle any seams, could be damaged by tape, or obscured in any other manner. Labels cannot be folded over the edge of the shipping carton.
ACCEPTABLE
NOT ACCEPTABLE
Each carton/pallet must be individually labeled. Labels must be easily located. One package label must be located in the upper third of the pallet. All labels must be visible on the perimeter of the pallet, including serial number labels.
32 Updated July 2013
10. Pallet Requirements and Loading
The recommend shipping method into Walmart.com distribution centers is palletized. Approval to floor load or slipsheet inbound freight must be obtained from the Walmart.com Inbound
Transportation team at labeling@walmart.com
.
10.1 Pallet Standards
For all domestic orders, the preferred method of delivery into a Walmart DC is on a pallet.
Walmart requires that all pallets shipped into Walmart DCs meet or exceed the Grocery
Manufacturers Association (GMA) Grade “A” pallet standards. Product may be stored in a standard rack on a supplier’s pallet for an extended period of time. Pallets must support the weight of the product shipped on them. Fines or chargebacks may be enforced for pallets that fail or do not meet the below requirements.
Any non-standard size or alternate material (non-hardwood) must be approved by the
Walmart.com Inbound Transportation team at labeling@walmart.com
.
Minimum Pallet Standards
Width : 40-inch Length: 48-inch
Material : GMA, Group III or IV, hardwood, clean saw
Deck Coverage : Top Deck 63% Bottom Deck 47%
Grade: Grade A, 4-way, flush and non-reversible o Sound material, free of knots. o Minimum 7 top boards, Minimum 5 bottom boards, and 3 stringers.
1) No missing or broken boards on top or bottom.
2) No double stringers, patched boards or metal repair plates.
3) All stringers are solid, not broken and/or having cracks visible from three sides and longer in run than one inch. Weathering cracks which are not continuous and not visible from three sides are allowable.
4) Pallets are not required to be bleached white but should be clean and odor free. Clean pallets are free of debris and stains, but discoloration due to aging is acceptable.
5) No cracks on the top or bottom boards greater than 1/8" wide and 15" inches in length.
6) No exposed splinters greater than 3 inches in length.
7) No tapered breaks with a depth of greater than 1 inch along a ten inch or more run. If at the ten inch distance, the depth is less than inch, the pallet is good. The pallet is unacceptable if the one inch depth runs the entire length of board.
8) Nail heads or nail points are not to exceed 1/8" exposure from the surface of the wood.
Pallets will not be rejected because of exposed nails unless the top or bottom board surface between nail head and stringer has been destroyed.
9) No partial footings. Partial footings occur when 1/4 of a stringer board width or length that connects it to a bottom board has been removed or when securing nail shanks are exposed in the stringer.
33 Updated July 2013
10.2 Alternative Pallet Materials
Walmart supports the use of alternative pallet materials such as plastic, metal, etc., however, all alternative materials must be approved by Walmart.com Inbound Transportation. Approval may require proof of structural capability and/or fire rating. All standard pallets must be rackable. Corrugate pallets are not acceptable pallets to ship into the Walmart DCs.
10.3 Global Standards for Wood Packaging Materials (WPM)
Global standards for Wood Packaging Material (WPM) addresses the proper treatment requirements for WPM shipped into Walmart. This document can be found on Retail Link by following the path below. Walmart’s Global Requirements regarding Wood Packaging Material supports the ISPM 15.
All regulated wood packaging material shipped into Walmart must be properly treated by heat treatment or methyl bromide fumigation. 2,4,6 tribromophenol (TBP) is banned in the United
States, Europe, and Canada. TBP is not a registered pesticide with the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA). Therefore, it is not legal for sale or use in the United States. TBP is not recognized as a wood preservative by the American Wood Protection Association (AWPA).
Retail Link > Site Map > Alphabetical view >Wood Packaging Material Requirements
10.4 Palletized Height and Loading
When shipping merchandise on pallets your first concern should be cubing out the trailer. Total pallet height (single stack or double stack) inside a Walmart trailer with rollup doors should not exceed 96”. For outbound shipping purposes from a Walmart DC, a “pallet pull” to the store should not exceed 84” for perishable items and 96” for dry grocery and general merchandise. A
“pallet pull” is an item that is shipped to stores where the entire pallet is considered one case.
Common DC slot sizes to consider are 32”, 40”, and 72”. Suppliers are required to properly block and brace all shipments to withstand the rigors of transportation from their ship point location to the DCs. Cases must be secured to the pallet with stretch wrap.
34 Updated July 2013
10.5 Pallet Overhang
If your merchandise is placed on pallets, ensure there is no freight overhanging the edge of the pallet. Merchandise must be configured to fit within a 48x40 pallet footprint. Pallet overhang is not acceptable . 2/3 of the overall compression strength of the container is based on the four corner support of the container. Example, 1" of overhang (2.54cm) will result in a 32% or more loss in top to bottom compression of the container. Overhang, as well as, underhang can lead to damaged product and under-utilized trailer cube.
10.6 Slip-Sheets
Slip-sheets can be used for certain approved items when trailer cube utilization is a significant factor. o If your item weighs out before it cubes out on a trailer, a pallet is required. o Slip sheets must have at least 3” flaps on two adjacent sides and made of quality corrugated paper or plastic, which can be pushed or pulled repeatable without damage. o You must use slip sheets that allow you to stack the merchandise on a 48”x 40” footprint with no overhang so the load can be placed on a 48” x 40” pallet and moved within the Distribution Center. o Stack merchandise on slip sheets as you would pallets using the same standards. o Any products shipped on slip-sheets must be approved prior to shipping by the
Walmart.com Inbound Transportation team at labeling@walmart.com
.
35 Updated July 2013
11. Vendor Chargebacks
Failure to follow the Walmart.com Supplier Packaging and Labeling Manual (mis-label, UPC issues, or re-work required) will result in a performance charge of $200 admin fee + $1 per unit of re-work.
For a full explanation of Supplier Performance requirements and chargebacks, please consult the Walmart.com Supplier Performance Program Guide.
Vendor re-work fee charge backs will be generated at the Receiving facility for all violations of packaging and labeling requirements. Re-work fee charge backs will then be routed to the responsible Merchant for approval. Upon approval, copies will be sent to the Accounting department for processing. Approved charge backs for re-work fees can be deducted from the next vendor invoice payment or billed separately, at the discretion of Walmart.com. Re-work fee charge backs are subject to change without notice.
11.1. Apparel Re-Work Fees
All Apparel Merchandise is subject to our Packaging and Labeling Requirements. Any
Merchandise not conforming to our minimum standards will be candidates for a vendor re-work fee charge back or a Return-To-Vendor (RTV), at the discretion of Walmart.com.
The current schedule of re-work fees for apparel is as follows::
Re-work Task
UPC Labeling
De-Assortment
Cost per unit
$2.00
$0.14 sorting, $0.12 parent/child process, $0.10 ticketing, if needed
Comments
If missing
Includes sorting (by style, color, size), Master
(parent)/Assortment (Child) receipt and transfer process, ticketing and re-ticketing. Does not include folding or polybagging individual items.
$0.48
$0.14
Hanger Removal & Disposal
Breaking out Assortments (sort) if goods received with multiple
Styles, Sizes & Colors in a carton
Parent/Child receipt & transfer process
Folding (no pins, paper or other items)
Poly-bagging, Ticketing/Reticketing
36
$0.12
$0.62
$0.82
Updated July 2013
12. Direct-Ship Vendors
Direct-Ship Vendors are expected to comply with all packaging and labeling requirements, except as noted here:
12.1. Packaging Requirements
DSV shipments should conform to all packaging requirements detailed in sections 5, 6, and 7 of the Walmart.com Supplier Packaging and Labeling Manual to ensure the product arrives safely to the customer.
12.2. Carton Markings
No carton markings are required for DSV shipments.
12.3. Labeling Requirements
DSV shipments DO NOT require: o UPC labels on the shipping carton o Product ID labels on the shipping carton
DSV shipments DO require: o A compliant UCC-128 shipping label (examples in fig 11a and 11b).
37
Fig 11a: Sample UPS shipping label
Updated July 2013
Fig 11b: Sample Fed Ex shipping label
38 Updated July 2013
12.4. Requirements for Site to Store Shipments
The Walmart Site to Store® Program is a service that allows our customers to have an online order delivered to any Walmart or FedEx Kinko's (in limited markets) store for pick-up.
Packaging guidelines for S2S are similar to S2H orders, however there are additional requirements. Please refer to the S2S Partner Handbook for detailed instructions. o ASN store label (one label per tracking number/carton, all data including store location provided in Purchase Order File) o Orange Site to Store label – Use 2 labels and fold each over the carton edges, so that S2S is visible on at least 3 sides. Walmart.com provides these labels to our DSV partners.
Please contact your Fulfillment Account Manager to receive labels and the S2S Partner
Handbook .
39 Updated July 2013
13. Contacts
For information and inquiries regarding UPC, labeling issues, carton marking requirements, and pallet configuration requirements, please contact: labeling@walmart.com
.
For information and inquiries regarding transit testing, please contact: MLM@walmart.com
.
For information regarding Walmart.com Vendor Compliance chargebacks, please contact: vcompliance@walmart.com
.
For information regarding Accounts Payable, Invoices, check numbers, or Walmart Stores questions, please contact Shared Services: WMFSSContactCenter@wal-mart.com
.
EDI Help Desk: 479-273-8888 (option 2)
Retail Link Help Desk: 479-273-888
Transportation Management System (TMS) questions (set-up/login questions): tmsadministrator@walmart.com
.
TMS Routing questions: dotcomtracking@walmart.com
and transcoordinator@walmart.com
40 Updated July 2013
Appendix A: Plastic Bag Safety Labeling Requirements (FAQ's)
Product Safety and Regulatory Notice
Plastic Bag Packaging and Labeling Requirements
ALERT
Clarification of Plastic Bag labeling and thickness requirements
ATTENTION:
Merchants and Suppliers for Walmart, Walmart.com, Sam’s Club and Samsclub.com
Global Sourcing
Testing Laboratories
August 24, 2010
We have received a number of questions on the notice previously sent out August 9, 2010
(reproduced below) on this subject. In order to address all inquiries and correct a mistake, we are issuing this second Notice to go over Frequently Asked Questions on this matter.
Q: How is the five inch opening measured?
A: Per Rhode Island’s law, the five inch opening is the diameter of the opening.
Q: Is the 40 inch (“greater than 40 inches, this warning or an equivalent warning must repeat at 20 inch intervals”) actually supposed to be surface area?
A: No, this was a typo. Per Massachusetts law, “In the case of bags whose total length and width (when added) is more than 40 inches, the label shall be repeated at 20-inch intervals.”
Q: What is the timeline for making changes if the verbiage on my bag does not match verbatim?
A: The verbiage need not match verbatim. The warning must be present as outlined or something approved as equivalent thereof. If your existing warning is not equivalent to the outlined requirement, do a rolling change to come into compliance as soon as possible.
Q: Does the warning need to be in Spanish?
A: No, this warning need not be bilingual.
Q: Can this warning be in multiple languages?
A: English is the only language required; however, if you choose to include additional languages, that is acceptable.
Q: On font size chart, is the bag size length x width or length + width?
A: The bag size for the purpose of finding the correct font should be calculated by ADDING the length and width (length + width).
41 Updated July 2013
Q: My bag is .6 mm thick. Do I need the warning?
A: No. The warning is required if the bag is less than one mil (0.001 inch or 1/1000 of an inch) which in metrics is equivalent to 0.0254 mm. If your bag is more than 0.0254 mm, the warning is not required.
Q: If the plastic bag’s thickness is more than one mil (0.001 inch), then NO need to print warning on bags?
A: Correct, if the bag is thicker than one mil (1/1000 inch, 0.001 inch, 0.0254 mm), then no warning is required.
Q: Does the warning need to be printed on both sides of the bag?
A: The warning must be “visible” on both sides of the bag. Therefore, if the plastic is clear and the warning can be viewed from both sides, it need not be printed on both sides. If the bag is a solid color, the warning must be printed on both sides in contrasting color.
Q: How big does the bag have to be to have the warning?
A: If the bag is less than one mil thick and has an opening of five inches in diameter and is of sufficient size to hold the warning in 10 point font, the warning must appear. There is no
“minimum” size bag for this warning.
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS:
Suppliers may submit questions or comments by emailing them to gmcomply@wal-mart.com
.
42 Updated July 2013
NOTE: Changes below appear as Purple, Bold and Underlined :
August 9, 2010
BACKGROUND:
There are four relevant state laws regarding the thickness and warning label requirements on plastic bags. These laws govern all products. Additionally, there is a thickness requirement for plastic bags outlined in ASTM F963 pertaining to those bags used to package toys. The ASTM
F963 requirement differs than the state laws and has caused some confusion with regard to
Walmart Product Safety and Regulatory Compliance Standards.
ACTION NEEDED:
Merchants – Forward this Notice and its attachments to all suppliers.
Global Sourcing – Amend point H3A01 of the Defect Classification Appendix which QC inspectors utilize.
Suppliers – Take note of the requirements that follow and ensure your packaging complies.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:
ALL Products except toys : Plastic bags with a thickness less than one mil (0.001 inch) having an opening size of five inches or more must have the following warning (if the total length and width when added together is greater than 40 inches, this warning or an equivalent warning must repeat at 20 inch intervals):
Warning: To avoid danger of suffocation, keep this plastic bag away from babies and children.
Do not use this bag in cribs, beds, carriages or playpens. This bag is not a toy.
The following table sets forth type sizes that will satisfy all four state requirements.
Total Length and
Width of Bag (added together)
60 inches or more
40 to 59 inches
25 to 39 inches
Less than 25 inches
Size of Print at least 24 point at least 18 point at least 14 point at least 10 point
TOY Products : Plastic film bags and flexible plastic sheeting must be at least 1.5 mil (0.0015 in./0.0381 mm) in nominal thickness, but the actual thickness must never be less than 1.25 mil
(0.00125 in./0.03175 mm). Therefore, flexible plastic used with toys cannot be thin enough to require the state warning label.
RESOURCES:
To assist in your determination of a toy, Walmart Product Safety and Regulatory Compliance
Standards Team has developed a multitude of pictorial guidance and decision trees available on
Retail Link:
Retail Link Site Map Product Safety and Compliance Library
43 Updated July 2013
For your quick reference, please see the following flow chart “Determination of a Toy”:
Is the product primarily intended for use by a child 12 years of age or younger?
YES NO
Is the primary function of the product for purposes such as transportation, sporting activities or recreational such as a trampoline?
This directive does not apply to this product as it is not a children’s product and thus cannot be a toy.
NO YES
Is the primary function of the product to help encourage pretend play, stimulate imagination, and/or amuse a child?
YES NO
End
The product is considered an other article intended for use by children and is subject to the
Children’s
Product Safety
Standard on
Other Articles
Intended For Use
By Children
The product is considered a toy and is subject to this directive.
End
End
AUTHORITY:
Massachusetts – 105 CMR 630.000
New York – 10 NYCRR § 12.12
Rhode Island – R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-9-16
California – Cal Bus & Prof Code § 22200
ASTM F963
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS:
Suppliers may submit questions or comments by emailing them to gmcomply@wal-mart.com
.
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Appendix B: Shoe Packaging and Labeling Requirements
Purpose: To provide standardized packaging guidelines for shoe suppliers, enabling accurate shipping of product through the Fashion Distribution Centers.
Shoe Run Example
Assortment shipping cartons for shoes must include the size run marking on at least one of the long sides of the shipping case. The printed size run consists of a horizontal row indicating the sizes inside the case (starting with the smallest size on the left, and ending with the largest size on the right). Below the first row is a second horizontal row indicating the number of pairs for each size listed above. EXCEPTION : If a shipping case contains multiple size runs, the supplier does not print the size run marking on the shipping case.
Inner Pack Packaging
1. Plain brown corrugate box (The preferred package) o These boxes must fit with-in the minimum and maximum dimensions listed below.
o Each individual box should be properly sealed on both ends and have an air hole punched in two sides where one of the holes must be accessible when the master carton is opened. Openings are used to help remove the inner box from master carton.
o Master cartons should be packed for easy removal of product and not so tight to promote the tearing of cardboard, sealing tape, or otherwise damaging the barcode or exposing the pair inside the inner box.
o With box placed on the lowest center of gravity, barcode labels should be centered on the lower edge of side facing the direction of travel. The side facing the direction of travel is usually the side measuring the least width.
2. Poly bags are acceptable as long as they meet the following guidelines. o Bags must fit tightly around the item with no excess plastic, and sealed securely to ensure product does not fall out of the polybag. o Bags are best if they are opaque and not highly reflective. o Shoes must be positioned in the bag in a manner that creates a flat surface on at least one side, allowing pairs to properly travel both powered and gravity conveyors.
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A piece of chipboard placed under the shoe may be necessary to create a flat surface. o Barcode labels must be centered on top of bag, and work best when place perpendicular to the direction of travel.
3. Examples of Vendor pack/warehouse pack. o Packed 6/1 - Vendor must pack each pair individually. There will be 6 polybag with 1 pair in each polybag.
o Packed 6/2 - Vendor must pack 2 pair in each poly bag. There will be 3 polybags with 2 pair in each polybag.
4. Shoe Hangers a. When shoe hangers are used, the shoes must be placed in a polybag or plain brown corrugate box. Follow the guidelines above for using polybags and plain brown corrugate boxes. b. Do not place hangers separately in the box. Associates at DC level are not responsible for placing the shoes on hangers. Include the hanger in the polybag. 1 hanger for each pair.
Unit Specifications
1.
Minimum
Maximum
Length
6”
18”
Width
4”
14”
Height
2”
7”
Note: There is no tolerance on the maximum height.
Inner Pack Barcodes
1. Barcodes must be EAN13 printed on a 1”X 2” label a. 15 mil Bar Height .625” b. Pattern Length 1.48” c. Examples of Barcode placement
Weight
6 ounces
7 pounds
Example: Barcode centered on polybag with cardboard insert. Arrow denotes direction of travel
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Example: Barcode centered on polybag perpendicular to direction of travel.
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Example: Barcode bottom left edge on standard shoe box.
Example: Barcode on side of least width on plain brown corrugate shoe box.
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Appendix C: Apparel FAQ's
Q: Who can we contact for questions on Packaging and Labeling?
A: Please contact the labeling alias at labeling@walmart.com
.
Q: What is the difference between a Vendor Pack and a Warehouse Pack? How should they be packed and how should they be indicated on the PIM form?
A: Please refer to Page 9 of this Guide for an explanation of the differences. Also, the PIM form provides an explanation of each section regarding Vendor Packs and Warehouse Packs. Please see the example of each section of the PIM form for your reference.
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Q: Is there a "how-to" guide for the Transportation Management System (TMS)?
A: A "how-to" guide does not exist, however there is a TMS guide available within the TMS application.
It can be found in the "News and Events" section. For questions regarding the use of TMS, please contact tmsadministrator@walmart.com
, and for routing issues using TMS, please contact transcoordinator@walmart.com
.
Q: Who can we go to for questions on dimensions?
A: Please contact your merchant regarding dimension information for item setup questions.
Q: If an item is already in a poly bag (i.e. underwear), does it need an additional polybag on top of that?
A: No, you do not need to polybag over that.
Q: Do Dot Com items need to have hang tags? If so, what are the requirements? Also, what if the item already has a hang tag, does that pose a problem?
A: Yes, Dot Com items should have hangtags. The tag must contain the UPC-A in both numeral and barcode format. It should contain the item description in either long or short format and the apparel unit size. The size of the tag does not matter but must be a minimum size to supply the information required.
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Q: What is the difference between carton label UPC requirements and UPC requirements for the
PIM form?
A: The label UPC requires a 12 digit UPC, however the UPC on the PIM form requires 13 digits. The most important thing is to remember to include the correct check digit in the 12 digit UPC-A formatted barcode label.
Q: What is the exact type of box (if needed) that should be used for shoes?
A: There is no specific requirement as to the actual shoe box itself containing the unit, but the shoe box should be a standard shoe box since all shoes are over-boxed when shipped to the customer. The master carton containing the shoe boxes should have a standard edge crush rating of at least 30 pounds per inch (typically any standard cardboard carton meets this requirement). Also, please reference Appendix B on page 38 of this guide.
Q: Is there communication on any Walmart.com documents that informs a supplier that the following updates made to a PO will involve a chargeback – Cost changes and incorrect UPC updates?
A: Yes, the Supplier Performance Program Guide states that ANY changes made after the Ship Date of a PO will result in a chargeback, and the Debit Memo's issued to a supplier when a chargeback occurs states this clearly as well. The Supplier Performance Program Guide can be found in Retail Link > Site
Map > Walmart.com Supplier Performance Program Guide 2012.
Q: What are the "best practices" to ensure that product does not get "stuck" in the DC or result in chargebacks? "Secrets" to smooth dealings with Walmart systems?
A: The best practice would be to make sure that the product is packaged properly to avoid damage and resulting in either RA's or re-work, as well as correct labeling to avoid receiving delays and relabeling. You can have your UPC barcode checked by sending a sample of the label to the labeling alias at labeling@walmart.com
. Also, over-communication to the Inbound team about all issues that may cause a delay in shipping or receiving product on time. They can be contacted at dotcomtracking@walmart.com
.
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Appendix D: Packaging for Lithium Batteries
How do I safely package lithium batteries for transport?
One of the major risks associated with the transport of batteries and battery-powered equipment is short-circuit of the battery as a result of the battery terminals coming into contact with other batteries, metal objects, or conductive surfaces. Packaged batteries or cells must be separated in a way to prevent short circuits and damage to terminals. They must be packed in a strong outer packaging or be contained in equipment. Sample packaging meeting these requirements is shown below:
Shipping cartons must be marked to meet DOT regulations. o Cartons that are shipped to Walmart that do not comply with DOT regulations must be relabeled prior to shipping to the customer at the supplier’s expense. o Markings cannot be obstructed or covered by any other labeling. o Labels cannot be folded over the edge of the shipping carton.
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Appendix E: Multiple Language Label Requirements
Product Safety and Regulatory Notice
Multiple Language Label Requirements
ATTENTION:
Merchants and Global Sourcing
Suppliers
July 6, 2011
BACKGROUND:
English is the only language required on packaging labels in all US Walmart formats for most general merchandise products
1
. Multiple languages are acceptable if all pertinent regulatory information is translated into each language. Various stakeholders within Walmart provide independent direction on the use of multiple languages for product packaging labels. In an effort to provide uniform direction, the Product Safety and Compliance Standards team has developed the following guidance outlining the parameters of utilizing multiple language labeling.
ACTION NEEDED:
Review and apply the following direction to all general merchandise products. Labeling changes must take place when any labeling is updated.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:
If any portion of the label is translated, all regulatory information must be translated.
Example: If a merchant instructs that the quality information on the label be in Spanish and
English, then all regulatory information such as warnings, quantity statements, declarations of responsible party, etc. must likewise be translated into Spanish (for a full list of regulatory labeling requirements, please see the All Products protocol at Retail Link Product Safety and Compliance Library Testing Testing Protocols 1b All Products).
1
Spanish warning statements. If the product is classified as toxicity category I or toxicity category II according to the criteria in 40 CFR 156.62, the signal word shall appear in Spanish in addition to English followed by the statement, ‘‘Si usted no entiende la etiqueta, busque a alguien para que se la explique a usted en detalle. (If you do not understand the label, find someone to explain it to you in detail.)’’ The Spanish signal word ‘‘PELIGRO’’ shall be used for products in toxicity category I, and the Spanish signal word ‘‘AVISO’’ shall be used for products in toxicity category II. These statements shall appear on the label close to the English signal word.
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Pictorial Example: CORRECT – All regulatory information is translated
INCORRECT – Not all regulatory information is translated
(country of origin and declaration of responsible party)
The font and placement of an additional language must match the English version of the labeling. This applies to all verbiage regardless of content or location it appears.
Example: If you translate into Spanish and there is a sharp points warning, the Spanish warning must appear on the same side and in the same font size and color as the English warning.
Pictorial Example:
Font size and color match and placed in the same vicinity.
If the English labeling is translated into more than one additional language, all must follow the same rules outlined above (same placement, font size and color, and all regulatory parts translated).
Example: If the intended age group is translated into five different languages, all other regulated information on the packaging must be translated into the same five additional languages.
Pictorial Example:
All label information must be translated into the same five additional languages.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
For assistance, please e-mail GMComply@wal-mart.com
.
