Walmart Marketplace Fees and Requirements for New Sellers (2026)
Walmart Marketplace has quietly become the third-largest e-commerce platform in the US. With 120+ million unique monthly visitors and far less competition than eBay or Amazon, it's a genuine opportunity for resellers — if you can get approved.
But here's the thing most guides skip: Walmart's fee structure is actually simpler than eBay's or Amazon's. No monthly subscription fee (for the base plan), no listing fees, no final value fee layering. Just a referral fee per sale.
Let's break down every cost, requirement, and strategic consideration.
Walmart Marketplace Fee Structure
Walmart charges a single referral fee per sale. That's it. No insertion fees, no monthly subscription (for the standard plan), no hidden charges.
| Category | Referral Fee |
|---|---|
| Apparel & Accessories | 15% |
| Electronics | 8% |
| Computers | 6% |
| Consumer Electronics Accessories | 15% |
| Footwear | 15% |
| Home & Garden | 15% |
| Jewelry | 20% |
| Sporting Goods | 15% |
| Toys & Games | 15% |
| Video Games & Consoles | 15% |
| Watches | 15% |
| Everything Else | 15% |
How This Compares to eBay and Amazon
On a $100 electronics sale:
- Walmart: $8 fee → you keep $92
- eBay: ~$13.25 fee → you keep $86.75
- Amazon: ~$15 fee + $39.99/mo subscription → you keep $85 (minus subscription)
For electronics, Walmart wins outright. For clothing and footwear, it's roughly equal to eBay but with a much larger built-in audience and less competition per listing.
Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS)
Walmart's FBA equivalent is WFS (Walmart Fulfillment Services). You ship inventory to Walmart's warehouses, they handle pick, pack, ship, and returns.
WFS fees are weight-based:
- Under 1 lb: $3.45
- 1-2 lbs: $4.95
- 2-3 lbs: $5.45
- 3+ lbs: $5.45 + $0.40/lb over 3
- Storage: $0.75/cubic ft/month (standard), $1.50 (holiday peak Oct-Dec)
WFS listings get the "Fulfilled by Walmart" badge and free 2-day shipping, which dramatically increases Buy Box wins.
Requirements to Sell on Walmart Marketplace
Walmart is selective. They don't approve everyone. Here's what you need:
- US Business Tax ID (EIN) — sole proprietors can use SSN but EIN is preferred
- Business entity — registered LLC or corporation preferred
- Proven e-commerce track record — existing eBay/Amazon/Shopify store with positive reviews
- Product catalog — they want to see what you'll sell (UPCs required for most items)
- Competitive pricing — Walmart enforces price parity; your prices can't be lower elsewhere
- Reliable shipping — 2-day shipping capability (or use WFS)
What Gets You Rejected
- No established selling history on other platforms
- Used/refurbished items (Walmart is primarily new-item focused)
- Dropshipping without proper authorization letters
- Categories they already have oversaturated (generic phone cases, etc.)
Is Walmart Marketplace Worth It for Resellers?
Yes, if you sell new items at scale. The competition is 1/10th of Amazon. The referral fees are competitive. The audience is massive.
No, if you sell used/vintage/one-of-a-kind items. Walmart's marketplace is built for new products with UPCs. If you're flipping thrift store finds or selling vintage sneakers, stick with eBay, Whatnot, and Poshmark.
Best Categories for Resellers on Walmart
- Electronics: Only 8% fee, huge demand
- Home & Garden: Less competition than Amazon
- Toys: Especially seasonal (Q4 goldmine)
- Sporting Goods: Growing category with loyal buyers
Walmart vs eBay vs Amazon: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Walmart | eBay | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Fee | $0 | $0 (basic) | $39.99 |
| Referral Fee | 6-20% | ~13% | 8-15% |
| Used Items | Limited | Yes | Some categories |
| Audience | 120M/mo | 130M/mo | 300M/mo |
| Competition | Low | High | Very High |
| Approval | Selective | Open | Open |
How to Apply
- Go to marketplace.walmart.com
- Click "Request to Sell"
- Fill out business info, tax details, product catalog
- Wait 2-4 weeks for approval
- Complete onboarding (Seller Center setup, shipping templates, payment info)
Pro tip: Link your existing eBay or Amazon store in the application. Sellers with 1,000+ reviews on other platforms get approved faster.
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Free Fee Calculator →Bottom Line
Walmart Marketplace is an underrated channel for resellers selling new products at scale. The fees are competitive, the audience is massive, and the competition is a fraction of Amazon's. If you qualify, it should be in your multi-platform strategy.
For used items, vintage, and one-of-a-kind flips — eBay, Whatnot, and Poshmark remain your best bets. The real money is in being on ALL of them.