Shipping & Logistics
Walmart GS1-128 Label Requirements (Food Traceability)
Walmart requires GS1-128 barcodes on food and beverage cases to carry the data needed for FSMA 204 food traceability. The GS1-128 label on each case and the SSCC-18 on each pallet links the physical shipment to your Advanced Shipping Notice (ASN), enabling accurate, traceable receiving.
Updated: June 2026
What Is a GS1-128 Barcode? (vs UCC-128)
GS1-128 is a standardized barcode that uses Application Identifiers (AIs) to encode structured supply-chain data for example AI (00) for the SSCC, (02) for the GTIN, and (37) for quantity. It was formerly called UCC-128; the two names refer to the same standard.
Does Walmart Require GS1-128?
(Food & Beverage / FSMA 204)
Yes, Walmart requires food and beverage items (including produce, baby food, pet food, meat, and poultry) to use GS1-128 for traceability. Food ASN and packaging requirements took effect Aug 1, 2025; confirm current scope and dates in Walmart’s food-traceability guidance.
GS1-128, SSCC-18 & the ASN: How They Connect
Pallets carry an SSCC-18 barcode linked to the ASN; cases carry GS1-128. Aligning all barcode data with your ASN/SSCC-18 submission keeps traceability consistent and prevents receiving errors and chargebacks.
GS1-128 Label Placement & Print-Quality Rules
Follow Walmart’s placement rules (e.g., labels on two sides, never on the top of a case, scannable through shrink wrap) and print-quality standards (thermal printing, sufficient DPI, verified scan grade). A GS1 Company Prefix is required, Walmart does not accept reseller-generated barcodes.
How OCM Helps with GS1-128 Compliance
OCM studies Walmart’s evolving labeling and packaging guidelines and works with suppliers to ensure case/pallet labels, SSCC-18, and ASN data all align, keeping food shipments compliant and traceable.