Walmart Mass Dispute Creation (MDC) lets suppliers dispute a batch of AP claims in one step inside APDP. It sounds like a time saver, and it can be. But MDC only accepts eight claim codes, and it does not let you attach proof. Choose the wrong claims for it, and fast filing turns into slow, permanent revenue loss.
This guide explains which Walmart deduction codes qualify for MDC, how to file a batch, what happens after you submit, and when an individual dispute with proof is the smarter choice.
Quick answer: Walmart MDC accepts claim codes 13, 21, 22, 24, 25, 28, 30, and 87. It works best for low-value claims where gathering proof costs more than the claim is worth. For higher-value claims, or any claim with a clean proof of delivery, file an individual APDP dispute with documents attached.
What Is Walmart Mass Dispute Creation?
Walmart Mass Dispute Creation is a bulk dispute option inside the Accounts Payable Dispute Portal (APDP), the Walmart app in Retail Link where suppliers dispute AP deductions. Walmart launched APDP in September 2021 to replace its third-party portal. Later, when Walmart retired settlement disputing, MDC became the main way to dispute claims in bulk.
Two rules make MDC different from an individual dispute:
- No Proof Attachments: Walmart reviews the claim using only the data it already has.
- Funds Check: If funds are not available to pay the disputed claim, Walmart sends the dispute back and asks for supporting documents.
New to the portal? Start with our Walmart APDP guide.
Why Does MDC Matter for Finance Teams?
MDC is a filing choice, but the result shows up in your numbers. Here is why finance leaders should care:
- Lower Recovery: Without proof, fewer claims get approved, so dollars that were recoverable get written off.
- Hidden Volume: Shortage claims are often small, but there are many of them. Small losses add up across POs and weeks.
- Split Ownership: Logistics holds the POD and BOL, while AR files the dispute. If they do not talk, claims go out without proof.
- Closing Pressure: Commonly cited windows are 12 months for shortage claims and up to 24 months for most other AP claims. Old claims pile up fast across quarter-end.
Which Walmart Deduction Codes Qualify for MDC?
Only these eight Walmart MDC codes can go through Mass Dispute Creation:
|
Code |
What it means |
Proof that wins an individual dispute |
Best path |
|
13 |
Substitution overcharge |
BOL, invoice, POD |
Individual, with child codes 21, 22, 24 |
|
21 |
Concealed shortage |
Proof the full quantity shipped |
MDC if low value |
|
22 |
Merchandise billed not shipped |
Proof all invoiced items shipped |
MDC if low value, else individual |
|
24 |
Carton shortage, freight bill signed short |
Stamped POD showing the count |
Individual when POD is clean |
|
25 |
No merchandise received for invoice |
Invoice, BOL, PO number, POD |
Individual when POD exists |
|
28 |
Carton damaged, freight bill signed damaged |
POD, BOL, carrier records |
MDC if low value |
|
30 |
Duplicate billing |
Signed BOL (collect) or POD (prepaid) with PO |
Individual |
|
87 |
Other difference |
Varies, often item file records |
Individual for pricing issues |
One common mix-up: some pages label Walmart claim code 24 as a pricing issue. It is not. Code 24 is a carton shortage where the freight bill was signed short.
Want more detail on the most common codes? Read our guides on substitution overcharge, merchandise billed not shipped, and disputing Walmart shortages.
What Are the APDP Parent and Child Code Rules?
Some claim codes must be disputed together when they appear on the same claim. APDP calls these parent and child codes:
- Parent 13: must be filed with child codes 21, 22 and 24
- Parent 94: must be filed with child codes 44, 60 and 120
If you submit a child code without its parent, APDP will block or reject it. Keep these groups together in every MDC batch.
Which Codes Do Not Qualify for MDC?
Any code outside the eight above needs another route. Here is where the most common ones go:
- Buyer Dispute: Codes 10, 11, 50 to 59, 82, 15,0 and 151 often need a buyer dispute. Codes 50 to 59, 1,50 and 151 can be filed in APDP, but Walmart has said they are unlikely to be approved there.
- Individual APDP Dispute: Other AP codes that APDP accepts, filed one at a time with proof.
- Separate Returns Process: Returns from Walmart's Return Center (location 9462) cannot be disputed in APDP. See Walmart returns charges explained.
How Do You File a Walmart Mass Dispute in APDP?
The APDP mass dispute process follows five steps:
- Open APDP: Log in to Retail Link and open the Accounts Payable Dispute Portal.
- Pick a Date Range: Select the date range to see eligible claims in that period.
- Choose Your Claims: Select only MDC-eligible codes. Keep parent and child codes together.
- Submit the Batch: Send the batch. You cannot add proof documents at this step.
- Track Each Claim: Watch the status of every claim in the APDP dashboard and act on anything sent back.
Since no documents go with the batch, the work happens before you submit. Decide which claims belong in MDC and which need proof.
What Happens After You Submit an MDC Batch?
Each claim moves through APDP statuses. Knowing them helps your team act before a claim is lost.
|
Status |
What it means |
What to do |
|
Draft |
Saved but not submitted. Expires after 14 days |
Submit it, or it disappears |
|
Walmart Research |
Walmart is reviewing the claim |
Wait and monitor |
|
Supplier Action |
Walmart needs more information |
Respond within 7 days with proof |
|
Approved |
Walmart accepted the claim |
Match the repayment to the claim |
|
Partially Approved |
Walmart accepted part of the claim |
Decide whether to re-dispute the rest |
|
Denied |
Walmart rejected the claim |
Re-dispute individually if you have proof |
If a dispute fails to create at all, Walmart's EBS support team is the place to escalate.
What Are the MDC Batch Limits and Common Failures?
Published guidance disagrees on the batch size. Older guidance says up to 500 claims per batch, while more recent reports say about 100. Test a small batch in your own APDP first.
These are the most common reasons MDC batches fail:
- Missing Parent Code: Child codes submitted without their parent.
- No Record Found: APDP cannot find a disputable record for the claim.
- System Errors: Intermittent MDC issues stop new disputes from being created.
- Funds Not Available: The dispute comes back asking for documentation.
Does MDC Win as Often as Disputes With Proof?
No. Industry reports from 2025 say skipping proof documents can drop win rate from about 80% to 8%. The exact number varies by supplier, but the direction does not. Proof wins.
Here is an illustrative example. A supplier has 300 shortage claims this month, averaging $80 each, for $24,000 in total.
|
Approach |
Expected recovery |
Team time |
|
All 300 through MDC (about 8% win rate) |
About $1,920 |
Under 1 hour |
|
All 300 individually with proof (about 80% win rate) |
About $19,200 |
About 100 hours at 20 minutes each |
MDC saves time, but in this example it leaves more than $17,000 on the table. The real answer is to split the queue.
What Is the Best Hybrid Strategy for Walmart Disputes?
Most suppliers get the best result by sending each claim down the right lane:
- MDC Lane: High-volume, low-value claims where pulling proof costs more than the claim.
- Individual Lane: Anything above your cost-to-dispute threshold, plus codes 24, 25, and 30, where a POD usually settles it.
- Buyer Lane: Pricing and allowance codes such as 10, 1,1, and 50 to 59.
Review win rate and time per dispute for each lane every month, and move claims between lanes based on what actually gets paid. If disputes keep getting denied, our guide to why retailers reject deduction disputes shows the usual fixes.
What Are the Best Practices for Walmart Suppliers?
A few habits protect your recovery rate:
- Set a Dollar Threshold: Decide the claim value above which you always file with proof.
- Keep PODs Ready: Store signed PODs and BOLs where AR can find them by PO number.
- Check APDP Weekly: Catch Supplier Action requests before the 7-day response window closes.
- Group Parent and Child Codes: Build every batch with those code rules in mind.
- Track Root Causes: Review claims by code, DC, and carrier to stop repeat shortages. Watch for SLC on your BOLs, explained in our Shipper Load and Count guide.
How iNymbus Simplifies Walmart Deduction Recovery
MDC trades recovery for speed because proof takes time to gather. iNymbus removes that trade-off. Using automation and RPA (Robotic Process Automation), iNymbus files individual disputes with proof at the speed of a bulk upload.
How iNymbus Supports Your Walmart Workflow:
- Auto-Detect New Claims: Monitors APDP and Retail Link for new deductions as they post.
- Fetch Supporting Documents: Gathers PODs, BOLs, invoices, and EDI records from your ERP, EDI provider, carrier portals, and email.
- File Disputes With Proof: Fills in dispute details, attaches documents, and submits each claim inside Walmart's windows.
- Identify Root Causes: Shows which codes, DCs, and carriers drive the most claims, so operations can fix issues upstream.
One video game distributor came to iNymbus with up to 1,500 Walmart claims a month and a years-long backlog, and cleared it within weeks. Read the full stories in our case studies, or see how it works on our Walmart deductions page.
If Walmart claims are draining your team's time, consider scheduling a quick discovery call to see how iNymbus can recover more of what you are owed. 
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