Structural shipping bracket for a washing machine appliance

A washing machine appliance defining a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction, the washing machine appliance comprising:

• a cabinet comprising a rear panel, a front panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel, the front panel and the rear panel being spaced apart along the transverse direction, the first side panel and the second side panel being spaced apart along the lateral direction, the rear panel comprising an outer face and an inner face, the outer face and the inner face being spaced apart along the transverse direction;
• a sub washer provided within the cabinet, the sub washer comprising at least a wash tub, a wash basket, and a motor;
• a structural shipping bracket comprising a main body, a first mount, and a second mount, the main body extending between a first end and a second end along the lateral direction, the main body defining a first opening and a second opening therethrough, the first mount being extended from the main body at the first end of the main body, the second mount being extending from the main body at the second end of the main body, the structural shipping bracket being permanently affixed to the inner face of the rear panel at the first mount and the second mount;
• and
• a shipping spacer assembly being removably disposed within the first opening and the second opening of the structural shipping bracket.