Code 93s are for merchandise returned due to damages that prevented the items from being sold. Refer to your supplier agreement for details on your liability for returns due to damaged merchandise.
How to Prevent Valid Code 93s
Make sure your product packaging is up to the rigors of transport.
Make sure the product itself can withstand the extreme temperatures and forces it will be subjected to during transport (i.e. - melting, vibration/drop damage, etc.)
Review your supplier agreement and consider whether you should negotiate a higher allowance for defective goods so that you can better plan your cash flow.
Can it be Disputed?
Yes. Code 93 can be disputed if you can prove that the merchandise should not have been considered damaged/defective or that you should not be charged for the return due to the damage/defective allowance you give Walmart.
How to Dispute Invalid Code 93s
Where you dispute a code 93 depends on where it came from. In either case, Walmart's expectation is that the code 93 will be disputed along with any associated fees on the same claim (codes 44, 60, 120).
Returns from location 9462:
When the return deduction is issued from Walmart location 9462, this indicates that it is a Returns Center claim.
Returns Center claims have a dedicated dispute process, which Walmart outlines here.
In summary, to dispute these deductions you must:
Download and review the backup details and documentation from APIS.
Fill out the Defective Merchandise, Handling Fee, and RTV Freight Claim Form with the claim number, invoice date, amount you are disputing, and the reason for the dispute.
Include the backup details and documentation for each claim.
Submit your claim by creating a case with Partner Support and selecting Returns > Returns Chargebacks > Defective Merchandise, Handling, and RTV Freight Expense Claims. You must include the documentation and forms mentioned above for your claim to be reviewed.
Other returns:
If the location is something other than 9462, then use the Accounts Payable Dispute Portal to submit your dispute. Be sure to include all claim lines together when disputing (i.e. - 93, 60, 44, 120)
If the APDP dispute is rejected, you can escalate to your buyer, especially if the code 93 deduction violates your supplier agreement.
Supporting Documentation:
Supplier agreement showing the agreed-upon defective allowance
Documentation showing total cost of defective returns to date vs. amount paid in defective allowance
OR
Supplier agreement showing that defective returns are not the responsibility of the supplier
OR
Supplier agreement showing that defective goods must be returned to supplier and statement that goods were never received
OR
Pricing info showing the actual cost of the item as less than the cost deducted per item on the claim