Plan your workflow
Preparing to sell on Amazon or Walmart Marketplace
Question: How can I prepare to sell on Amazon or Walmart Marketplace?
Short answer
Prepare by getting your business documents, product codes and listing data in order, budgeting fees per product, and choosing how you'll fulfil orders. Amazon lets you register and pick a selling plan; Walmart Marketplace requires an application that checks qualifications such as a business tax ID, GS1 product codes and a sales history.
Paperwork and identity
- Business registration and tax details, with names and addresses that match.
- Bank account for payouts.
- For Walmart: a business tax ID or license number (Walmart says SSNs aren't accepted) and documents verifying your business name and address.
Product data
- Product codes: Walmart lists GTIN/UPC with a GS1 company prefix as a requirement.
- Titles, bullet points, descriptions and images that follow each marketplace's style rules.
- Dimensions and weights, which affect fulfillment fees.
Fees and fulfillment
As of October 28, 2026, Amazon listed Individual ($0.99 per item sold) and Professional ($39.99 per month) plans plus category referral fees; Walmart listed no setup or monthly fees and category referral fees. Decide between shipping yourself and using FBA or Walmart Fulfillment Services, each with its own fees.
A realistic order
If you don't yet have an online sales history, start on Amazon (or another channel), build a track record, then apply to Walmart Marketplace.
Example: a 30-day preparation plan
Week one: gather business documents and check names and addresses match. Week two: get GS1 product codes and write listing data. Week three: build a fee budget for each product on both marketplaces and decide on fulfillment. Week four: register on Amazon, and apply to Walmart if you already have a sales history.
Is this a good fit for you?
Likely a good fit if
- You have products with GS1 barcodes, or can get them.
- You can manage inventory across channels.
Think twice if
- Your products are one-of-a-kind; Amazon Handmade or Etsy may suit you better.
Common pitfalls
- Inconsistent business names across documents.
- Buying barcodes that aren't GS1-issued.
- Choosing FBA or WFS without pricing it.
- Copying the same listing text to both marketplaces without adapting it.
Preparation checklist
- Business and tax documents with matching details.
- GS1 product codes.
- Fee budget per product on each marketplace.
- Fulfillment method decided.
- Listing data and images ready.
- Sales history evidence for Walmart.
Where Shopmation could fit
Shopmation is being designed to help prepare listing content for review. It isn't connected to Amazon or Walmart.
Shopmation isn't available to merchants yet: there are no accounts, and it doesn't connect to any selling platform today. Everything on this page works without Shopmation.
Official sources
Fee and policy details on this page were checked against these official pages on October 28, 2026. They change, so confirm current terms before you rely on them.
- Sell on Amazon(opens in a new tab)
- Amazon: Selling fees and plans(opens in a new tab)
- Fulfillment by Amazon(opens in a new tab)
- Walmart Marketplace: Getting started and requirements(opens in a new tab)
- Walmart Marketplace pricing and referral fees(opens in a new tab)
- Walmart Fulfillment Services(opens in a new tab)
Shopmation is an emerging AI seller-workflow product. The platforms named here are independent companies; mentioning them doesn't mean they are Shopmation integrations or partners. This page is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice.
Related reading
- ComparisonsAmazon vs Walmart Marketplace for third-party sellersOpen sign-up versus application, fee structures and fulfillment programs.
- Checklists and toolsAmazon seller fees: what to account forSelling plan, referral, closing, FBA and advertising costs to budget for.
- Checklists and toolsWalmart Marketplace seller requirements: what to check firstThe qualifications Walmart lists and how to check each before you apply.