Does your company ship palletized items to Walmart?
If you do, you are probably already aware that there are specific requirements for Walmart pallet labeling and that the company is going to start enforcing them at the beginning of 2023.
Walmart is very specific on how pallets need to be labeled, so let’s take a look at what is needed.
There are three main types of pallets that are delivered to Walmart distribution, and each has its own label requirement. Note that all pallets delivered to Walmart need to be labeled with the GS1 128 SSCC logistics barcode. You can learn more about GS1 barcodes (including SSCC) here: GS1 Barcode Guide
Pallet Pull
These are pallets that consist of packages (usually either shipping cases or trays) of a single GTIN.
Walmart treats these pallets as one entity and the pallet is not broken down until it arrives at its final destination.
A pallet pull label is designed with both the SSCC barcode and the GTIN-14 (ITF-14) barcode that corresponds to the items on the pallet (this is usually the case or tray level GTIN, not the UPC of the actual product).
The words PALLET PULL are also printed on the label.
Mixed Pallet
There might be situations where a pallet contains more than one type of product – a mixed pallet.
For this type, there is no GTIN-14 barcode printed on the label, and the words MIXED PALLET must be printed on the label.
As with all pallets shipped to Walmart, the SSCC barcode label, needs to be printed on the label.
PDQ Display Pallet
PDQ is Walmart’s description of Retail Ready Packaging (RRP) and a PDQ pallet is one where the complete pallet will be moved to the store floor and be part of the display.
A PDQ display pallet contains just one type of product and the corresponding GTIN-14 barcode of the products on the pallet (again, the case or tray level, not the UPC) needs to be printed on the label, as well as the SSCC barcode.
The words PDQ DISPLAY also need to be printed as shown in the example.
Note that Walmart doesn’t provide label templates for these labels, it is the supplier’s responsibility to produce these. At ID Technology, we can certainly help with this – we have many years of experience in providing pallet labeling systems to many of the top CPG companies, most of who are already shipping products to Walmart and other retail outlets.
Where do the labels need to be applied?
Walmart is quite specific as to where the labels (two per pallet) need to be applied:
Walmart is quite specific as to where the labels (two per pallet) need to be applied – you can see from the Walmart guide image (highlighted in RED) that the labels need to be applied to the top right corner of adjacent sides of the pallet.
Update: Walmart has recently changed this to read:
~ Walmart Supply Chain StandardsPallet labels are required on at least 2 adjacent sides of the pallet, preferred on
the upper right corner
Walmart’s choice of label position is somewhat different from that in the GS1 General Specification.
Rather than specify the labels to be positioned at the top of the pallet, GS1 asks for the labels to be located within a maximum and minimum distance from the floor.
This is helpful within logistics systems because it ensures the barcodes will be within the field of view of scanners and reduce the need to have to adjust labeling equipment for varying height pallets.
Why does Walmart have a different specification? You’ll have to ask them, I’m afraid.
How can ID Technology help with Walmart Pallet Labeling?
ID Technology is the leader in print and apply labeling systems for secondary packaging and pallets, with a wide range of equipment for just about every application.
If you ship pallets of varying heights, our Panther auto-adjusting servo stand can help you minimize the problem of keeping with Walmart’s requirement that the labels always be placed at the top of the pallet.
In addition, our NiceLabel label software and applications can help you with every step of managing your label format design and printing.
We also have seven label production plants in North America, all equipped to produce high-quality thermal transfer and direct thermal labels for Walmart pallet labeling and for shipping to other destinations.
Wherever you are in your labeling automation journey, ID Technology has the resources to ensure you succeed. Contact us today at IDT@ProMachBuilt.com to get started!
Labeling & Coding News is the online industry insider from ID Technology, EPI , Panther, Greydon, and Code Tech Labeling & Coding product brands of ProMach.
