On this guide
Follow the path in order.Walmart Marketplace channel guide • Virginia launch path
Start Walmart Marketplace in Virginia
Decide your setup, get the Virginia registration order straight, and finish the early Walmart Marketplace launch steps without losing the official detail behind the answer.
Last verified April 26, 2026 7 chapters
Best for launching on Walmart Marketplace in Virginia. Need the full appendix? Open the full reference guide.
On this journey
1 of 7 reviewed
Current chapter: Choose setup
On this journey
1 of 7 reviewed
Current chapter: Choose setup
01
Chapter 1 of 7
Choose the setup you want to launch with
Start with the setup decision first, then use the rest of the guide to build the state registrations and platform steps around it.
Core chapter
What this chapter does
Your setup choice, the short safe path, and the money realities that matter before spending deeply.How to move through it
Review sole proprietor.Use Part 1 to get oriented, then compare both setup paths before you spend more time or money.
3 parts to review • 32 source touchpoints behind the drawers.
Chapter parts
Open Part 1 when you are ready to start working through this chapter.After you start, only one part stays open at a time and the earlier ones stay easy to revisit.
Part 1 of 3
Start here before you spend heavily
A short orientation for the guided journey before the detailed launch steps begin.
Part 1 of 3
Start here before you spend heavily
A short orientation for the guided journey before the detailed launch steps begin.
Short answer
Use this first part only to get oriented. The detailed state, platform, local, and packet steps will follow in order.- First decide whether you are launching as a sole proprietor or a single-member LLC.
- Then work through the Virginia registrations, Walmart Marketplace setup, local checks, and packet review in order.
Do next: Do not spend money yet.
Why this matters
Key detail
Do not spend money yet.
Keep in mind
- First decide whether you are launching as a sole proprietor or a single-member LLC.
- Then work through the Virginia registrations, Walmart Marketplace setup, local checks, and packet review in order.
Official links
Up next Compare setup
Part 2 of 3
Compare sole proprietor and LLC
The side-by-side setup comparison.
Part 2 of 3
Compare sole proprietor and LLC
The side-by-side setup comparison.
Short answer
Read both setup paths before you decide which one you want the rest of the launch flow to follow.- Best if you want the cheapest and simplest start.
- Virginia does not require a separate SCC entity-formation filing for a sole proprietorship operating under the owner's own name.
- Faster launch.
Do next: Review sole proprietor.
Save the path you want to optimize around
The unchosen setup stays visible for comparison, but the chosen one gets visual priority so the reading path feels more intentional.
Quick tradeoff view
Use one pass to compare the launch speed, separation, and upkeep tradeoffs.The detailed comparison stays below. This lens just makes the two setup shapes easier to scan before you read every bullet.
Best for
Sole proprietor
Best if you want the cheapest and simplest start.
Speed to start Quicker start
Owner and business separation Very little separation
Ongoing admin load Lighter upkeep
Best for
single-member LLC
Best if you want a more durable setup for a real business.
Speed to start More front-loaded paperwork
Owner and business separation Cleaner separation
Ongoing admin load More upkeep
Compare details
Sole proprietor
Best for
Best for
Best if you want the cheapest and simplest start.
What it means
- Virginia does not require a separate SCC entity-formation filing for a sole proprietorship operating under the owner's own name.
- If you use a different public-facing name, Virginia routes the assumed or fictitious-name filing through the SCC Clerk's Office.
- Walmart's public qualification pages say SSN is not accepted as the business tax ID, so even a sole proprietor usually needs an EIN or other qualifying business identifier before applying.
- Business income generally runs through your personal tax return unless facts change the tax treatment.
- You usually do not get a liability shield.
Why someone chooses it
- Faster launch.
- Lower up-front filing costs.
- Fewer entity-maintenance steps.
Main downside
Personal liability
single-member LLC
Best for
Best for
Best if you want a more durable setup for a real business.
What it means
- Virginia LLC formation uses Articles of Organization of a Virginia Limited Liability Company (LLC1011) with a $100 filing fee and a required registered agent.
- Virginia LLCs pay a recurring annual registration fee instead of a general annual report.
- If the LLC uses a different public-facing name, the fictitious-name filing is separate.
Why someone chooses it
- Liability protection.
- Cleaner setup for banking, vendors, bookkeeping, and scaling.
- Better fit for inventory, insurance, trademarks, and later hiring.
Main downside
Higher setup friction and cost than a sole proprietorship
Official links
Formation scc.virginia.gov
Compare business types
Formation bos.sbsd.virginia.gov
Sole proprietor baseline
Local scc.virginia.gov
Fictitious-name filing
Federal irs.gov
EIN overview and online application
Local scc.virginia.gov
Formation hub
Formation scc.virginia.gov
Default entity formation filing
Formation scc.virginia.gov
Immediate post-filing requirement
Formation scc.virginia.gov
Ongoing entity maintenance
Federal irs.gov
Entity tax treatment
Tax scc.virginia.gov
Recurring Virginia entity fee
Up next Money and risk
Part 3 of 3
See the money and risk realities before you spend
The upfront friction and risk notes that shape the launch decision.
Part 3 of 3
See the money and risk realities before you spend
The upfront friction and risk notes that shape the launch decision.
Short answer
These are the friction points most likely to catch a new Walmart Marketplace operator off guard in Virginia.- Virginia is cleaner than New York on marketplace-only collection, but not on the resale question.
- Application is not just a signup form. Public Walmart pages still expect business tax ID or business license evidence, supporting documents, product IDs, returns capability, and a history of marketplace or eCommerce success.
- Walmart has a public conditional liability-insurance policy, not a universal day-one insurance requirement for every new seller.
Do next: Review virginia-specific friction.
Why this matters
Virginia-specific friction
Main takeaway
Virginia is cleaner than New York on marketplace-only collection, but not on the resale question.
Watch for
- The moment you want ST-10, supplier tax-free resale, or direct off-Walmart sales, the tax path gets more complex.
- Virginia LLC upkeep is straightforward, but the SCC annual-fee page mixes last day of the month wording with last business day examples, so month-end timing is worth re-checking.
- Richmond local tax and home-occupation branches are real, not optional.
Walmart Marketplace-specific friction
Main takeaway
Application is not just a signup form. Public Walmart pages still expect business tax ID or business license evidence, supporting documents, product IDs, returns capability, and a history of marketplace or eCommerce success.
Watch for
- Business verification, payout setup, and fulfillment settings all have to align with real-world records.
- Category-specific referral fees, return-address rules, policy enforcement, and payment holds all affect launch success.
- WFS, GTIN exemption, Brand Portal, and conditional liability insurance each have their own separate branches.
Insurance reality
Main takeaway
Walmart has a public conditional liability-insurance policy, not a universal day-one insurance requirement for every new seller.
Watch for
- As of the public policy reviewed on April 26, 2026, Walmart Marketplace says a seller must submit a Certificate of Insurance (COI) with general liability and product liability insurance if the seller exceeds $100,000 in GMV in any 12-month period or if Walmart notifies the seller directly.
- The public policy says the required limits are $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, and Walmart Inc., its subsidiaries and its affiliates must be listed as additional insured.
- Even below that threshold, Walmart encourages sellers to maintain insurance.
- Keep Wallet FDIC coverage and seller-shipping protections separate from seller liability insurance. They are not the same thing.
Official links
Formation scc.virginia.gov
Compare business types
Local scc.virginia.gov
Formation hub
Formation scc.virginia.gov
Default entity formation filing
Formation scc.virginia.gov
Immediate post-filing requirement
Formation scc.virginia.gov
Ongoing entity maintenance
Federal irs.gov
EIN overview and online application
Federal irs.gov
EIN paper form
Tax tax.virginia.gov
Marketplace-only versus direct-sales rule
Tax tax.virginia.gov
General retail-sales registration rule
Tax tax.virginia.gov
Dealer registration
Tax tax.virginia.gov
Retail sales-tax certificate and return baseline
Platform marketplacelearn.walmart.com
Walmart marketplace-facilitator collection posture
Tax tax.virginia.gov
Resale or exemption certificate
Tax tax.virginia.gov
Recordkeeping guidance
Platform marketplacelearn.walmart.com
Platform insurance threshold or requirement
Local rva.gov
City tax or permit warning
Local rva.gov
City filing information
Local rva.gov
City fee sheet
Local rva.gov
City home-occupation rules
02
Chapter 2 of 7
Handle the Virginia registration path in order
This is the state-side work before you rely on the platform to carry any part of the operating flow.
Core chapter
What this chapter does
The Virginia and federal registration sequence, tax setup, and state-maintenance checks.How to move through it
Step 2: Choose your name and brand approach.Use the order check first, then move from name and entity work into EIN, banking, and tax setup.
4 parts to review • 40 source touchpoints behind the drawers.
Registration sequence
Keep the Virginia and federal setup in this order.This chapter works best when you keep the filings, EIN, banking, and tax work in one clean sequence instead of bouncing between tabs.
- 1 Use the checklist to keep the order straight
These checklist groups keep the pre-spend, pre-sale, and pre-launch work visible before you open the platform workflow.
- 2 Handle name, entity, and filing setup
Use the name-and-formation steps plus the state LLC order before you open banking or state tax registration.
- 3 Get the EIN and banking basics in place
Use the EIN and banking steps before you start platform onboarding, payouts, or supplier paperwork.
- 4 Close the Virginia tax and filing branch
Keep the Virginia tax and maintenance rules together before you assume the platform solved them.
Chapter parts
Open Part 1 when you are ready to start working through this chapter.After you start, only one part stays open at a time and the earlier ones stay easy to revisit.
Part 1 of 4
Use the checklist to keep the order straight
The quick-start checklist grouped by the main launch phases.
Part 1 of 4
Use the checklist to keep the order straight
The quick-start checklist grouped by the main launch phases.
Short answer
These checklist groups keep the pre-spend, pre-sale, and pre-launch work visible before you open the platform workflow.- Pick your business name.
- Form the business or file the Virginia fictitious-name branch if needed.
- Get an EIN from the IRS if applicable.
Do next: Pick your entity.
See checklist
Do these before you spend money
Grouped so the launch order stays easier to scan.
- Pick your entity.
- Pick your business name.
- Decide whether you will stay marketplace-only or whether you want ST-10 resale treatment or direct sales later.
- Stay in low-risk new-condition general merchandise for the first launch.
- Avoid regulated or higher-friction categories such as food, supplements, cosmetics, medical claims, batteries-heavy hazmat, alcohol, children's products.
- Make sure you can document sourcing with invoices and supplier records.
Do these before your first sale
Grouped so the launch order stays easier to scan.
- Form the business or file the Virginia fictitious-name branch if needed.
- Get an EIN from the IRS if applicable.
- Open a dedicated business bank account.
- Resolve the Virginia marketplace-only vs registration vs ST-10 branch before assuming you do or do not need a dealer registration.
- Check local permits and home-based business rules, especially the Richmond BPOL, CZC, and home-occupation branch if you will operate there.
- Create your Walmart Marketplace seller account and complete business verification, payout, market details, fulfillment, and returns setup.
Do these before launch goes live
Grouped so the launch order stays easier to scan.
- Confirm your actual Walmart referral-fee category before pricing.
- Confirm the product is lawful, eligible, and not blocked by Walmart policy.
- Set up fulfillment, returns, and a valid U.S. return address correctly.
- Build one accurate listing and start small enough to protect performance metrics.
- Launch only after your tax, records, and local-compliance setup are ready.
Official links
Up next Name + filing
Part 2 of 4
Handle name, entity, and filing setup
The name, formation, and LLC-order work for the state launch path.
Part 2 of 4
Handle name, entity, and filing setup
The name, formation, and LLC-order work for the state launch path.
Short answer
Use the name-and-formation steps plus the state LLC order before you open banking or state tax registration.- Step 3: Form the business.
- If you sell under your legal name:.
- File Certificate of Assumed or Fictitious Name - Business Conducted by an Individual.
Do next: Step 2: Choose your name and brand approach.
Step details
Best practical order for a Virginia single-member LLC launch
- Choose the product lane first.
- Choose the entity name.
- File the LLC or fictitious-name paperwork.
- Get the EIN.
- Open the bank account.
- Decide whether you are staying purely Walmart Marketplace-only or whether you actually need the registered-dealer branch.
- Check local permits and Richmond rules if applicable.
- Build the Walmart account.
- Finish fulfillment and returns setup.
- If you formed an LLC, track the anniversary-month annual fee.
- Re-check live Walmart fee, policy, and insurance pages before launch.
- Track recurring tax and local obligations on the compliance calendar.
Sole proprietor: Decide whether you need a state fictitious-name filing
Main takeaway
If you sell under your legal name:
Watch for
- File Certificate of Assumed or Fictitious Name - Business Conducted by an Individual.
- The current public SCC reference identifies the form as SCC59.1-70-IN.
Single-member LLC: Name search and naming standards
Main takeaway
Before filing:
Single-member LLC: File the formation document
Main takeaway
Core filing:
Watch for
- Form name: Articles of Organization of a Virginia Limited Liability Company.
- Form number: LLC1011.
Single-member LLC: Complete the immediate post-filing step
Main takeaway
Get the EIN.
Watch for
- The official public sources reviewed for this combo did not identify a separate Virginia LLC publication requirement or initial report requirement for an ordinary domestic LLC.
- A written operating agreement is still a sensible internal document, even though this combo did not identify an official Virginia filing requirement for it.
Single-member LLC: File the fictitious-name form if needed
Main takeaway
If the public brand differs from the LLC legal name, file Certificate of Assumed or Fictitious Name - Business Conducted by an Entity.
Watch for
- The current public SCC reference identifies the form as SCC59.1-70-BE.
Step 2: Choose your name and brand approach
Main guide step 2
What this step settles
You need to decide whether you are:
Why it matters: Important:
- operating under your own legal name,
- using a Virginia fictitious name,
- reselling existing brands,
- creating your own brand,
- or building toward a private-label path
- Your Walmart seller name does not replace the legal business name, tax records, or bank details behind the account.
- If you want stronger long-term control, start your trademark and brand-documentation path early.
Step 3: Form the business
Main guide step 3
What this step settles
If you choose sole proprietor: No Virginia SCC entity filing is generally required if you operate under your own legal name.
- If you choose sole proprietor: No Virginia SCC entity filing is generally required if you operate under your own legal name.
- If you choose sole proprietor: If you use a public business name, file the Virginia fictitious-name branch through the SCC Clerk's Office.
- If you choose sole proprietor: If you operate in Richmond, the city-tax and home-occupation branch still applies even if no separate entity filing is required.
- If you choose single-member LLC: Do this in order:
- If you choose single-member LLC: Run a preliminary Virginia name check.
- If you choose single-member LLC: File Articles of Organization of a Virginia Limited Liability Company (LLC1011) and appoint a registered agent.
- If you choose single-member LLC: Get the EIN and move straight into tax and banking setup.
- If you choose single-member LLC: If you will trade under a different public name, add the separate fictitious-name branch.
Official links
Formation scc.virginia.gov
Compare business types
Local scc.virginia.gov
Formation hub
Formation scc.virginia.gov
Default entity formation filing
Formation scc.virginia.gov
Immediate post-filing requirement
Formation scc.virginia.gov
Ongoing entity maintenance
Formation bos.sbsd.virginia.gov
Sole proprietor baseline
Local scc.virginia.gov
Fictitious-name filing
Local bos.sbsd.virginia.gov
Local business-license lookup
Federal irs.gov
EIN overview and online application
Federal irs.gov
Entity tax treatment
Tax scc.virginia.gov
Recurring Virginia entity fee
Local bos.sbsd.virginia.gov
State start-here page
Tax tax.virginia.gov
State business portal
Official virginia.gov
State small business support hub
Up next EIN + banking
Part 3 of 4
Get the EIN and banking basics in place
The EIN, banking, and recordkeeping baseline before launch.
Part 3 of 4
Get the EIN and banking basics in place
The EIN, banking, and recordkeeping baseline before launch.
Short answer
Use the EIN and banking steps before you start platform onboarding, payouts, or supplier paperwork.- Step 5: Open banking and bookkeeping.
Do next: Step 4: Get your EIN.
Step details
Step 4: Get your EIN
Main guide step 4
What this step settles
Use the IRS EIN application if applicable. For most LLCs this is part of the normal setup. For many sole proprietors it is optional federally, but it is practically important for banking, suppliers, and Walmart Marketplace onboarding.
Step 5: Open banking and bookkeeping
Main guide step 5
What this step settles
Do this right away:
- Open a business checking account.
- Use one account and one card for business only.
- Save every invoice, carrier bill, Walmart fee statement, and tax record.
- Build a tax folder and a compliance folder from day one.
Official links
Federal irs.gov
EIN overview and online application
Federal irs.gov
EIN paper form
Tax tax.virginia.gov
Marketplace-only versus direct-sales rule
Tax tax.virginia.gov
General retail-sales registration rule
Tax tax.virginia.gov
Dealer registration
Tax tax.virginia.gov
Retail sales-tax certificate and return baseline
Platform marketplacelearn.walmart.com
Walmart marketplace-facilitator collection posture
Tax tax.virginia.gov
Resale or exemption certificate
Tax tax.virginia.gov
Recordkeeping guidance
Up next Tax + maintenance
Part 4 of 4
Close the Virginia tax and filing branch
The Virginia tax stack, registration timing, and maintenance follow-up.
Part 4 of 4
Close the Virginia tax and filing branch
The Virginia tax stack, registration timing, and maintenance follow-up.
Short answer
Keep the Virginia tax and maintenance rules together before you assume the platform solved them.- A typical single-member LLC needs an EIN.
- Virginia uses online registration as the default path and Form R-1 for paper exceptions.
- Safe takeaway:.
Do next: Step 6: Resolve the Virginia marketplace-only, registration, and ST-10 branch before you act.
Step details
1. EIN
Main takeaway
A typical single-member LLC needs an EIN.
Watch for
- A sole proprietor may not always need one federally, but it is often practical anyway.
- For Walmart Marketplace, the EIN question also matters because the public qualification pages reject SSN as the business tax ID.
2. Virginia sales tax, seller permit, or equivalent registration
Main takeaway
Virginia uses online registration as the default path and Form R-1 for paper exceptions.
Watch for
- If you register for retail sales or use tax, Virginia Tax says registration gives you your sales tax certificate and business online-services access.
- The retail-sales page says Form ST-1 replaced older sales-tax return forms beginning with the April 2025 filing period.
3. Marketplace or platform tax rule
Main takeaway
Safe takeaway:
Watch for
- Virginia Tax says a marketplace seller whose sales in Virginia are all conducted through a marketplace facilitator's platform generally does not need to register to collect Virginia sales tax.
- Walmart's public Sales tax collection guide says Virginia is one of the states where Walmart collects and remits marketplace sales tax, effective July 1, 2019.
- This pack therefore treats the true marketplace-only Walmart Marketplace path as the Virginia beginner baseline.
- Marketplace-only Walmart sales and direct off-platform sales are separate branches.
- Re-run the Virginia dealer-registration analysis before taking direct taxable sales outside Walmart.
4. Resale purchases or exempt purchasing
Main takeaway
Virginia uses Form ST-10 for resale purchases by a Virginia dealer.
Watch for
- Virginia Business One Stop says that to use a Virginia resale certificate, you generally must also be registered to collect Virginia sales tax from buyers in the state.
- For this combo, that means ST-10 is not a safe automatic add-on to the marketplace-only no-registration branch.
5. Entity tax treatment
Main takeaway
Virginia generally follows federal tax-classification rules for LLCs unless a different election applies.
Watch for
- A default single-member LLC is usually treated as disregarded for income-tax purposes.
6. Entity filing-fee or franchise-tax rule
Main takeaway
The recurring Virginia LLC maintenance item verified in this combo is the $50 annual registration fee, not a separate generic LLC annual report.
Watch for
- This is distinct from sales-tax, withholding, or employer filings.
7. If the founder changes entity type later
Main takeaway
Do not assume the original marketplace-only setup, tax account, bank setup, or local approvals automatically carry over to a later LLC.
Watch for
- Re-check the Virginia Tax and local-license path if you convert or replace the entity.
Sole proprietor: Understand the tax reality
Main takeaway
Sole-proprietor business income generally flows through to the owner's individual return.
Watch for
- Local business-license or BPOL duties can still exist even when the legal structure is simple.
- Richmond is the clearest local reminder in this combo that state simplicity does not eliminate local work.
Single-member LLC: File ongoing entity maintenance
Main takeaway
Key points:
Watch for
- due: the SCC annual-registration-fee FAQ says the fee is due in the anniversary month, and its table and examples mix last day of the month and last business day wording.
- The live SCC page is clear on the fee and anniversary-month rule, but its day-specific wording is easy to misread near month-end. Re-check the live page before acting close to the due date.
Step 6: Resolve the Virginia marketplace-only, registration, and ST-10 branch before you act
Main guide step 6
What this step settles
This is the most important Virginia difference.
Why it matters: What the current official record supports: Safe practical reading for this combo: Resale branch: Practical beginner takeaway:
- Virginia Tax says that if all of your sales in Virginia are conducted through a marketplace facilitator's platform, you are considered a marketplace seller and do not need to register to collect Virginia sales tax.
- Walmart's public sales-tax-collection guide says Walmart collects and remits marketplace sales tax for Virginia, with an effective date of July 1, 2019.
- Virginia Tax's general retail-sales page separately says in-state retailers are generally individuals and businesses making sales with one or more physical locations in Virginia, and it routes them to in-state dealer registration.
- If you are staying truly Walmart Marketplace-only, the official Virginia marketplace-seller rule supports a no-registration-to-collect beginner path.
- If you add direct off-Walmart sales from your Virginia location, do not wait for remote-seller thresholds. Move into the registration-first branch.
- Virginia ST-10 is written for use by a Virginia dealer buying for resale, lease, rental, or qualifying packaging use.
- Virginia Business One Stop says that to use a Virginia resale certificate, you generally must also be registered to collect Virginia sales tax from buyers in the state.
- If you are staying purely Walmart Marketplace-only and are not trying to force a tax-free supplier-resale branch on day one, the official Virginia record supports a normal no-registration-to-collect beginner path.
- If you need clean supplier resale treatment from the start, want to buy inventory tax-free, or may add direct sales soon, keep that branch explicit instead of assuming it is automatically solved.
Official links
Federal irs.gov
EIN overview and online application
Federal irs.gov
EIN paper form
Tax tax.virginia.gov
Marketplace-only versus direct-sales rule
Tax tax.virginia.gov
General retail-sales registration rule
Tax tax.virginia.gov
Dealer registration
Tax tax.virginia.gov
Retail sales-tax certificate and return baseline
Platform marketplacelearn.walmart.com
Walmart marketplace-facilitator collection posture
Tax tax.virginia.gov
Resale or exemption certificate
Tax tax.virginia.gov
Recordkeeping guidance
Federal irs.gov
Entity tax treatment
Tax scc.virginia.gov
Recurring Virginia entity fee
Federal fincen.gov
BOI status
03
Chapter 3 of 7
Finish the Walmart Marketplace account and operations branch
Use these steps for the platform-side account, plan, operations, and eligibility work after the state basics line up.
Core chapter
What this chapter does
Walmart Marketplace account setup, operations, and pre-launch readiness.How to move through it
Step 10: Understand Walmart's cost model before you price anything.Open the Walmart Marketplace branch only after the Virginia basics line up, then finish plan and operations choices.
3 parts to review • 30 source touchpoints behind the drawers.
Chapter parts
Open Part 1 when you are ready to start working through this chapter.After you start, only one part stays open at a time and the earlier ones stay easy to revisit.
Part 1 of 3
Open the Walmart Marketplace account
The first account and verification work for the platform path.
Part 1 of 3
Open the Walmart Marketplace account
The first account and verification work for the platform path.
Short answer
Start the platform onboarding only after the legal name, EIN, and payout details line up cleanly.Do next: Step 9: Create your Walmart Marketplace account and complete setup.
Step details
Step 9: Create your Walmart Marketplace account and complete setup
Platform step 1
What this step settles
Have these ready:
Why it matters: Public application requirements reviewed on April 26, 2026 also say sellers should have: Platform registration flow: Important:
- government-issued ID
- business email
- phone number
- bank or payout information
- tax information
- business registration or license documents if applicable
- supporting documents that verify your business name and address
- product IDs such as GTIN or UPC, or a justified exemption path if your products qualify
- Business Tax ID(s) or Business License Number
- business-identity details that match IRS or other government records
- a history of marketplace or eCommerce success
- a catalog that complies with Walmart's prohibited-products rules
- and either a B2C U.S. warehouse with returns capability or use of Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS)
- The fuller public Walmart onboarding sequence reviewed on April 26, 2026 is this 5-step flow, not the simpler marketing summary some other pages use.
- Public Walmart pages describe business verification as taking from a few minutes to two business days.
- The public Complete onboarding in Seller Center guide says both fulfillment methods require a verifiable return address.
- Walmart's public New Seller Payment Hold Policy, last updated December 10, 2025, says United States sellers face a rolling delay of up to 14 days and non-U.S. sellers up to 21 days, with the hold ending only after 90 days have passed since the first shipped order and the seller has received $7,500 in payments.
- Walmart's public Wallet page says you can only use one payout method at a time, and if you use Wallet, payouts follow the same settlement cycle as other payment methods.
- Verify your business with business details that match your tax and formation records.
- Choose your payout method using one approved payout path at a time.
- Add market details and customer-service information.
- Manage fulfillment as seller-fulfilled, WFS, or a supported combination.
- Set up your catalog in Seller Center.
Official links
Platform marketplace.walmart.com
Public qualification and getting-started page
Official marketplace.walmart.com
Step-by-step seller registration guide
Local marketplacelearn.walmart.com
Complete onboarding in Seller Center
Federal marketplace.walmart.com
Payout setup and payment-hold structure
Platform marketplace.walmart.com
Platform pricing
Official marketplace.walmart.com
Brand or IP program
Up next Plan + pricing
Part 2 of 3
Review the plan, pricing, and optional programs
Plan, pricing, and optional program decisions before launch.
Part 2 of 3
Review the plan, pricing, and optional programs
Plan, pricing, and optional program decisions before launch.
Short answer
Use this part for the platform plan, pricing, or optional brand and program choices that come before operations.- Step 11: Decide whether brand or IP programs belong in the initial launch.
Do next: Step 10: Understand Walmart's cost model before you price anything.
Step details
Step 10: Understand Walmart's cost model before you price anything
Platform step 2
What this step settles
Practical rule:
Why it matters: Do not price from memory. Re-check the live Walmart category table for your exact category before you buy inventory or publish listings.
- Walmart Marketplace does not use a monthly seller subscription fee in the public pages reviewed on April 26, 2026.
- Walmart's public pricing page says Marketplace and WFS use zero setup, monthly, or hidden fees.
- Marketplace referral fees vary by category and product type and are only deducted after a completed sale.
- The public referral-fee schedule shows category-specific percentages, not one flat seller rate.
- A public example visible on April 26, 2026: Beauty, Health and Personal Care shows 8% for items with a total sales price of $10 or less, and 15% for items above $10.
- WFS adds separate fulfillment and storage fees on top of marketplace referral fees.
- The public WFS pricing page shows fixed monthly storage of $0.75 per cubic foot from January through September, and in October through December the same $0.75 rate for inventory stored up to 30 days plus an added $1.50 per cubic foot per month after 30 days.
Step 11: Decide whether brand or IP programs belong in the initial launch
Platform step 3
What this step settles
Walmart Brand Portal is optional, not a launch requirement for an ordinary first listing.
- Walmart Brand Portal is optional, not a launch requirement for an ordinary first listing.
- It is most relevant if you own a brand and have a registered USPTO trademark.
- Walmart's public Brand Portal page says an active trademark registration with the USPTO is required for each brand you register there.
- If you resell branded goods, invoices and supplier records matter more on day one than portal enrollment does.
Official links
Platform marketplace.walmart.com
Public qualification and getting-started page
Official marketplace.walmart.com
Step-by-step seller registration guide
Local marketplacelearn.walmart.com
Complete onboarding in Seller Center
Federal marketplace.walmart.com
Payout setup and payment-hold structure
Platform marketplace.walmart.com
Platform pricing
Official marketplace.walmart.com
Brand or IP program
Official marketplace.walmart.com
Seller Center operations overview
Official marketplace.walmart.com
Fulfillment overview
Official marketplace.walmart.com
WFS pricing and storage
Platform marketplacelearn.walmart.com
Category, compliance, or product restriction guide
Official marketplace.walmart.com
Public performance pages
Platform marketplacelearn.walmart.com
Platform insurance threshold or requirement
Up next Ops + eligibility
Part 3 of 3
Finish operations and eligibility before scaling
Operations and eligibility checks before the business scales.
Part 3 of 3
Finish operations and eligibility before scaling
Operations and eligibility checks before the business scales.
Short answer
Close the operating branch only after the listing, trip, hosting, or operational eligibility checks are ready.- Step 13: Confirm product, service, or category eligibility before scaling.
Do next: Step 12: Complete the fulfillment and operations branch.
Step details
Step 12: Complete the fulfillment and operations branch
Platform step 4
What this step settles
Use the beginner-safe Walmart operations path:
Why it matters: You have two main beginner fulfillment paths: If you ship orders yourself: If you use WFS:
- start with one or two low-risk listings,
- keep titles, photos, descriptions, and item attributes accurate,
- choose fulfillment you can reliably support,
- set conservative handling and shipping promises,
- and do not scale inventory until the first workflow actually works
- seller-fulfilled
- Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS)
- Walmart's public onboarding guide says both fulfillment methods require a verifiable return address.
- If you will self-fulfill from a Richmond residence, do not skip the local zoning branch.
- WFS is optional after onboarding.
- Public WFS pages say there are currently no minimum requirements, though Walmart recommends setting up at least 50 items with continual replenishment.
- WFS handles order-related customer support and returns for WFS orders.
- Public WFS guidance says candidate items are generally non-perishable, do not require temperature control, and can be as large as 500 pounds with maximum dimensions of 120" x 105" x 93" including packaging.
- The public Seller Success Formula page says that if you use WFS, WFS controls the performance standards and those metrics are not available in Seller Center.
Step 13: Confirm product, service, or category eligibility before scaling
Platform step 5
What this step settles
Walmart's public minimum-qualification pages require a catalog that complies with its prohibited-products rules.
- Walmart's public minimum-qualification pages require a catalog that complies with its prohibited-products rules.
- Walmart's public policy index says sellers are responsible for staying compliant with marketplace policies, rules, and guidelines.
- Public Walmart prohibited-products materials say one prohibited item in the catalog can deny the application.
- If you sell products without a product ID, Walmart has a public GTIN or UPC exemption path.
- Public quickstart policy materials still identify pre-approval examples like fragrance, luxury brands, software, cell phones and accessories, Halloween and select seasonal products, and custom content.
Official links
Platform marketplace.walmart.com
Public qualification and getting-started page
Official marketplace.walmart.com
Step-by-step seller registration guide
Local marketplacelearn.walmart.com
Complete onboarding in Seller Center
Federal marketplace.walmart.com
Payout setup and payment-hold structure
Platform marketplace.walmart.com
Platform pricing
Official marketplace.walmart.com
Brand or IP program
Official marketplace.walmart.com
Seller Center operations overview
Official marketplace.walmart.com
Fulfillment overview
Official marketplace.walmart.com
WFS pricing and storage
Platform marketplacelearn.walmart.com
Category, compliance, or product restriction guide
Official marketplace.walmart.com
Public performance pages
Platform marketplacelearn.walmart.com
Platform insurance threshold or requirement
04
Chapter 4 of 7
Handle the local and city-specific branches
These local facts can still change the answer even after the state and platform path looks clear.
Optional branch
What this chapter does
Local permits, local taxes, city appendices, and location-specific operating rules.How to move through it
Review richmond appendix.Only turn this chapter on if your location, city, or operating model changes the answer.
2 parts to review • 11 source touchpoints behind the drawers.
Only turn this branch on if it matches your plan
These branch questions keep the main reading path clean. If one matches your situation, the relevant detail blocks below get emphasized.
Matching branch content is now highlighted below.
Chapter parts
Open Part 1 when you are ready to start working through this chapter.After you start, only one part stays open at a time and the earlier ones stay easy to revisit.
Part 1 of 2
Local permits and location checks
Virginia pushes many business-permit questions down to cities and counties.
Part 1 of 2
Local permits and location checks
Virginia pushes many business-permit questions down to cities and counties.
Short answer
Virginia pushes many business-permit questions down to cities and counties.Do next: Review local permits and location checks.
Why this matters
Local permits and location checks
Main takeaway
Virginia pushes many business-permit questions down to cities and counties.
Watch for
- For any place where the business will operate:.
- check Virginia Business One Stop,.
- contact the local government office,.
- ask local zoning or building offices if the business will operate from home or store inventory,.
- and ask whether a local business-license, BPOL, or tax account is required.
- Typical local risk areas:.
- business-license or BPOL obligations.
- home occupation restrictions.
- zoning for storage.
- truck or carrier activity at a residence.
- signage, parking, and occupancy issues.
Official links
Up next Richmond appendix
Part 2 of 2
Richmond Appendix
If the business operates in Richmond, add one more review layer.
Part 2 of 2
Richmond Appendix
If the business operates in Richmond, add one more review layer.
Short answer
If the business operates in Richmond, add one more review layer.Do next: Review richmond appendix.
Why this matters
Richmond Appendix
Main takeaway
If the business operates in Richmond, add one more review layer.
Watch for
- Richmond's BPOL page says owners of businesses in the city are required to obtain a Richmond business license annually.
- New businesses must obtain a license within 30 days of opening.
- The same page says that in most cases a business license is required before the business begins conducting business in the city.
- Richmond's Zoning Administration page routes residential home-occupation business-license requests through the Online Permit Portal for a Certificate of Zoning Compliance.
- The current public zoning-fee sheet shows a Home Occupation CZC fee of $50.00.
- The public home-occupation rules say only household members may work on the premises, there may be no outside activity or outside storage, the business area may not exceed 25% of the heated enclosed floor area or 500 square feet, visits including deliveries are limited, and no product may be offered for sale directly to customers on the premises.
- Practical warning:.
- That means a home-based inventory and shipping setup in Richmond is not a footnote. If inventory, carrier pickups, or customer traffic will happen at the residence, confirm the exact local answer before launch.
- and do not assume Richmond rules apply unless the address is actually inside Richmond.
05
Chapter 5 of 7
Use the hiring and insurance branch only if it matches your plan
This branch matters when you expect to hire, scale, or need the insurance follow-up tied to the business model.
Optional branch
What this chapter does
Hiring, payroll, insurance, and scale-up risk reminders.How to move through it
Review insurance reality.Only turn this branch on when hiring, payroll, or coverage questions are close enough to matter.
2 parts to review • 6 source touchpoints behind the drawers.
Only turn this branch on if it matches your plan
These branch questions keep the main reading path clean. If one matches your situation, the relevant detail blocks below get emphasized.
Matching branch content is now highlighted below.
Chapter parts
Open Part 1 when you are ready to start working through this chapter.After you start, only one part stays open at a time and the earlier ones stay easy to revisit.
Part 1 of 2
If you hire, close the employment branch first
The employee registration, payroll, and employment-program branch.
Part 1 of 2
If you hire, close the employment branch first
The employee registration, payroll, and employment-program branch.
Short answer
Use these cards if the business will hire employees or carry payroll responsibilities soon.- Register with Virginia Tax for withholding if you pay wages subject to federal withholding.
- Virginia law generally requires coverage when an employer regularly employs more than 2 part-time or full-time workers.
- This combo did not identify a general Virginia private-employer disability or paid-family-leave insurance mandate equivalent to a New York-style branch.
Do next: Review 1. employer registration.
Why this matters
1. Employer registration
Main takeaway
Register with Virginia Tax for withholding if you pay wages subject to federal withholding.
Watch for
- Register with the Virginia Employment Commission to determine unemployment-tax liability.
- VEC offers online registration and identifies T-FC-27, Report to Determine Liability, as the paper registration path.
2. Workers' compensation
Main takeaway
Virginia law generally requires coverage when an employer regularly employs more than 2 part-time or full-time workers.
Watch for
- Public VWC guidance says required coverage cannot simply be waived for ordinary employees.
- maintain workers' compensation coverage if you regularly employ more than 2 part-time or full-time workers.
3. Disability, paid leave, or similar coverage
Main takeaway
This combo did not identify a general Virginia private-employer disability or paid-family-leave insurance mandate equivalent to a New York-style branch.
4. Exemption certificate if applicable
Main takeaway
This combo did not identify a general CE-200-style public exemption certificate for ordinary Virginia employers.
Watch for
- Eligible executive officers or LLC managers can reject their own workers' compensation coverage only after valid coverage exists and the required rejection filing is made.
Official links
Up next Insurance branch
Part 2 of 2
Keep the insurance branch visible as you scale
The insurance, liability, and scale-trigger branch.
Part 2 of 2
Keep the insurance branch visible as you scale
The insurance, liability, and scale-trigger branch.
Short answer
This is the insurance and liability follow-up tied to hiring, products, services, or growth.- Walmart has a public conditional liability-insurance policy, not a universal day-one insurance requirement for every new seller.
Do next: Review insurance reality.
Why this matters
Insurance reality
Main takeaway
Walmart has a public conditional liability-insurance policy, not a universal day-one insurance requirement for every new seller.
Watch for
- As of the public policy reviewed on April 26, 2026, Walmart Marketplace says a seller must submit a Certificate of Insurance (COI) with general liability and product liability insurance if the seller exceeds $100,000 in GMV in any 12-month period or if Walmart notifies the seller directly.
- The public policy says the required limits are $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, and Walmart Inc., its subsidiaries and its affiliates must be listed as additional insured.
- Even below that threshold, Walmart encourages sellers to maintain insurance.
- Keep Wallet FDIC coverage and seller-shipping protections separate from seller liability insurance. They are not the same thing.
06
Chapter 6 of 7
Keep the operating calendar and mistake list close after launch
Once you are live, use the ongoing calendar and the mistake list to keep the business on a safer path.
Core chapter
What this chapter does
The recurring compliance calendar, live-operating routine, and beginner mistakes to avoid.How to move through it
Treating Walmart Marketplace like a direct Shopify store instead of a marketplace-facilitated channel.Use the recurring calendar first, then keep the repeated-mistake notes close after launch.
2 parts to review • 27 source touchpoints behind the drawers.
Chapter parts
Open Part 1 when you are ready to start working through this chapter.After you start, only one part stays open at a time and the earlier ones stay easy to revisit.
Part 1 of 2
Use the ongoing compliance calendar
The recurring compliance calendar grouped by timing.
Part 1 of 2
Use the ongoing compliance calendar
The recurring compliance calendar grouped by timing.
Short answer
This groups the recurring checks by when they matter after launch.- Get the EIN.
- Finish business verification, payout, listing, shipping, and returns setup.
- Confirm category, GTIN, return-address, and fulfillment assumptions.
Do next: Finish entity or fictitious-name setup.
See checklist
Before first sale
Grouped so the launch order stays easier to scan.
- Finish entity or fictitious-name setup.
- Get the EIN.
- Open the bank account.
- Resolve the Virginia marketplace-only versus registration or ST-10 branch that applies.
- Check local permits and Richmond zoning if applicable.
- Re-check current public Walmart qualification, registration, fee, payout, WFS, and policy pages before applying.
Before first live launch
Grouped so the launch order stays easier to scan.
- Finish business verification, payout, listing, shipping, and returns setup.
- Confirm category, GTIN, return-address, and fulfillment assumptions.
- Start with low-risk items you can document and support.
- Make sure the Richmond branch is cleared if the business operates within city limits.
Monthly
Grouped so the launch order stays easier to scan.
- Reconcile sales, fees, refunds, return charges, and shipping cost.
- Review cash reserves for taxes.
- Review margins after actual referral and fulfillment charges.
- Review account notifications, performance metrics, and compliance issues.
Quarterly
Grouped so the launch order stays easier to scan.
- File Virginia sales-tax returns on the cadence assigned to you if you are registered.
- File Virginia withholding and unemployment returns on the cadence assigned if you become an employer.
- Review whether operational changes created a new direct-sales or local-permit branch.
Annual or periodic
Grouped so the launch order stays easier to scan.
- Pay the Virginia LLC annual registration fee in the anniversary month.
- Renew or update local licenses on the city schedule. In Richmond, business-license renewals are due by March 1, and licenses expire on December 31.
- Re-check live Walmart referral-fee, WFS, payout, policy, and insurance pages before scaling or changing how you sell.
Official links
Platform marketplacelearn.walmart.com
Platform insurance threshold or requirement
Federal irs.gov
EIN overview and online application
Federal irs.gov
EIN paper form
Tax tax.virginia.gov
Marketplace-only versus direct-sales rule
Formation scc.virginia.gov
Compare business types
Platform marketplace.walmart.com
Public qualification and getting-started page
Official marketplace.walmart.com
Seller Center operations overview
Local bos.sbsd.virginia.gov
State start-here page
Up next Common mistakes
Part 2 of 2
Common Mistakes New Operators Make
The most common mistakes from the research pack plus the first-launch recommendation.
Part 2 of 2
Common Mistakes New Operators Make
The most common mistakes from the research pack plus the first-launch recommendation.
Short answer
These are the repeated errors called out in the research pack.- Assuming Walmart collection automatically resolves the Virginia ST-10 resale branch.
- Adding direct off-platform sales without reopening the Virginia dealer-registration question.
- Launching before Richmond BPOL, CZC, and home-occupation rules are clear.
Do next: Treating Walmart Marketplace like a direct Shopify store instead of a marketplace-facilitated channel.
Why this matters
Practical first-launch recommendation
- If you are testing casually with minimal risk, sole proprietor can work.
- If you intend to build a real Walmart Marketplace business, single-member LLC is usually the better long-term path.
- Important practical note:
- Virginia is cleaner than New York for pure marketplace-only collection, but that cleaner rule does not automatically give you ST-10 resale treatment and it does not cover later direct sales outside Walmart.
Key detail
Treating Walmart Marketplace like a direct Shopify store instead of a marketplace-facilitated channel
Keep in mind
- Assuming Walmart collection automatically resolves the Virginia ST-10 resale branch
- Adding direct off-platform sales without reopening the Virginia dealer-registration question
- Launching before Richmond BPOL, CZC, and home-occupation rules are clear
- Pricing inventory before checking the live referral-fee table
- Buying approval-heavy or prohibited inventory before checking the category rules
- Mixing personal and business money
Official links
Formation scc.virginia.gov
Compare business types
Local scc.virginia.gov
Formation hub
Formation scc.virginia.gov
Default entity formation filing
Formation scc.virginia.gov
Immediate post-filing requirement
Formation scc.virginia.gov
Ongoing entity maintenance
Federal irs.gov
EIN overview and online application
Federal irs.gov
EIN paper form
Tax tax.virginia.gov
Marketplace-only versus direct-sales rule
Tax tax.virginia.gov
General retail-sales registration rule
Tax tax.virginia.gov
Dealer registration
Tax tax.virginia.gov
Retail sales-tax certificate and return baseline
Platform marketplacelearn.walmart.com
Walmart marketplace-facilitator collection posture
Tax tax.virginia.gov
Resale or exemption certificate
Tax tax.virginia.gov
Recordkeeping guidance
Platform marketplacelearn.walmart.com
Platform insurance threshold or requirement
Local rva.gov
City tax or permit warning
Local rva.gov
City filing information
Local rva.gov
City fee sheet
Local rva.gov
City home-occupation rules
07
Chapter 7 of 7
Review your selected steps and open the packet PDF
Use the review screen to decide what belongs in the packet, then open a real PDF preview in a new tab.
Finish
Review and print
Review the chapters you kept and make sure the right reminders stay visible.
Use this step to keep only the chapters that match the launch plan now, then keep the local and city reminders close before you treat the packet as final.
Saved setup choice
single-member LLCThat choice stays visible while the rest of the journey gets lighter.
Packet count
4 chapters selectedOptional branches can stay out of the packet until they match the real launch plan.
Still verify locally
6 remindersLocal tax, zoning, insurance, and platform policy changes still need the official check.
Open the working launch packet with fillable tracker rows, then print or download it from the PDF tab.
Choose what stays in the packet
Selected chapters
- Choose setup
Your setup choice, the short safe path, and the money realities that matter before spending deeply. - Virginia registrations
The Virginia and federal registration sequence, tax setup, and state-maintenance checks. - Walmart Marketplace setup
Walmart Marketplace account setup, operations, and pre-launch readiness. - Local and city checks
Local permits, local taxes, city appendices, and location-specific operating rules. - Hiring and insurance
Hiring, payroll, insurance, and scale-up risk reminders. - Ongoing calendar and mistakes
The recurring compliance calendar, live-operating routine, and beginner mistakes to avoid.
See local verification reminders
- Useful for startup routing, local-license reminders, and state-agency coordination.
- Virginia Tax says registration gives you your Virginia tax account numbers and sales-tax certificate if you registered for retail sales or use tax.
- Public Virginia.gov hub pointing to Business One Stop and other state business resources.
- Public page says owners of businesses in the city are required to obtain a Richmond business license annually, new businesses must obtain a license within 30 days of opening, and in most cases a license is required before conducting business in the city.
- Public zoning materials say residential home-occupation business-license requests use the residential CZC path through the portal.
- Current public zoning fee sheet was revised December 10, 2025 and says the fee schedule is effective July 1, 2024.
Change your path
Need a different route into this answer?
Use one of these links if you landed in the wrong platform, wrong state, or want the state-only baseline before you keep reading.
Choose another platform Switch away from Walmart Marketplace without losing the state-first flow. Choose another state for Walmart Marketplace Stay on Walmart Marketplace and reopen the state picker for Virginia alternatives. Open the Virginia state guide Compare the platform-specific path with the state-only baseline. Open official sources Jump straight to the official source directory if you want agency links first.