Amazon Multi-Channel Fulfillment Comes to Walmart: What Sellers Need to Know

What’s New

Amazon’s Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF) service allows sellers to tap into Amazon’s logistics network for orders that don’t originate on Amazon. Previously this included platforms like eBay, Etsy, and TikTok Shop. As of mid-2025, Walmart Marketplace has joined the list, along with Shein and Shopify.

For Walmart orders, sellers can now route fulfillment through Amazon’s warehouses, drawing from the same inventory pool used for Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA). This reduces the need to duplicate inventory or run separate fulfillment networks.

Walmart’s approval of MCF comes with conditions designed to keep Amazon invisible to the end customer. Sellers must use neutral packaging, block Amazon Logistics as a carrier, and upload tracking numbers only after packages are handed off to UPS, FedEx, USPS, or other neutral carriers.

Amazon has also waived the 5 percent surcharge that normally applies when sellers block Amazon Logistics. That waiver runs through January 14, 2026.

Why It Matters for Walmart Sellers

For many Walmart sellers, logistics is one of the toughest challenges when scaling. This expansion of MCF offers clear advantages.

• Simplified operations: Sellers can unify inventory for both Amazon and Walmart, lowering storage costs and complexity.
• Faster time-to-market: FBA sellers can list on Walmart without building new fulfillment infrastructure.
• Better inventory utilization: A single pool of inventory can serve multiple platforms, reducing overstocks and stockouts.
• Stronger customer experience: Using Amazon’s fulfillment network can improve delivery speed, which helps with ratings and repeat sales.

Feedvisor highlights that this change removes one of the biggest hurdles to multichannel selling: the need for separate warehouses and third-party logistics contracts. EcommerceBytes reports that sellers using MCF improve their in-stock rates and turnover, which suggests better margins and fewer lost sales.

Compliance is Non-Negotiable

The opportunity is real, but Walmart’s policy is strict.

• No Amazon branding: Packaging, tape, inserts, and labels must be completely neutral.
• Approved carriers only: Amazon Logistics must be blocked when fulfilling Walmart orders. Carriers like UPS, FedEx, and USPS are acceptable.
• Proper tracking: Tracking numbers must be issued only after packages are handed to the carrier.
• Performance standards: Orders must meet Walmart’s delivery windows and valid tracking rate requirements, or seller performance metrics may be penalized.

GeekSeller warns that account suspensions in the past often stemmed from accidental violations, like an Amazon-branded box slipping into circulation. Sellers need to configure MCF settings carefully and audit shipments to stay compliant.

Strategic Considerations

Before relying on MCF for Walmart orders, sellers should weigh the trade-offs.

• Storage limits and fees: Amazon fulfillment centers have capacity constraints, and long-term storage fees can add up.
• Temporary waiver: The surcharge waiver ends in January 2026. Margins may shrink when it returns.
• Comparison with WFS: Walmart’s own Fulfillment Services (WFS) remain a strong option, with advantages like TwoDay shipping tags. Some SKUs may perform better in WFS than MCF.
• Returns and customer service: Even when Amazon handles fulfillment, sellers must manage returns and ensure the customer experience aligns with Walmart’s expectations.

Action Plan for Walmart Sellers

To make this shift a growth driver, sellers should:

1. Pilot a small set of SKUs. Test costs, delivery times, and customer satisfaction before scaling.
2. Configure systems carefully. Integrate Seller Central and Walmart Seller Center with tools that enforce unbranded packaging and carrier restrictions.
3. Run margin scenarios. Model costs under the fee waiver and again for post-2026 to avoid surprises.
4. Benchmark against WFS. Compare MCF with Walmart Fulfillment Services to see which option is best for each product.
5. Monitor metrics closely. Track delivery performance, valid tracking rates, and order defect rates daily.
6. Stay flexible with storage. Use MCF for fast movers and consider WFS or third-party logistics for slower SKUs.

Looking Ahead

Amazon’s MCF expansion into Walmart Marketplace marks a new stage in the overlap of competing logistics networks. For Walmart sellers, it represents both a shortcut to scale and a compliance test. The best results will come to those who use the service selectively, choosing SKUs with care, managing costs closely, and following Walmart’s rules precisely.

Handled the right way, Amazon MCF can shift fulfillment from a costly bottleneck to a competitive advantage, helping Walmart sellers reach customers faster, operate leaner, and grow profitably.

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