Using FBA virtual tracking

Virtual tracking allows Amazon to fulfil orders using identical products from different suppliers. Doing so enables us to process a customer order more efficiently and expedite delivery from the fulfilment centre that is closest to the buyer. This happens regardless of which seller actually receives a customer’s order.

Virtual tracking traces the source of products throughout the fulfilment process. Identical items from different suppliers are not physically stored together in a fulfilment centre.

Used by default for eligible products, virtual tracking relies on the manufacturer barcode that is already on each unit, such as the UPC or EAN, instead of the Amazon barcode sticker.

Virtual tracking is sometimes referred to as "commingling" and the inventory that uses it as "stickerless inventory."

Not all inventory is eligible for tracking with the manufacturer barcode. Amazon will, at its sole discretion, determine which products meet the eligibility requirements for using manufacturer barcodes. Products that do not qualify for virtual tracking must have Amazon barcodes to be received at Amazon fulfilment centres.

The following products cannot use virtual tracking unless they are enrolled in the Transparency program:

• DVD
• Software category
• Video games (except devices and controllers)
• Computers*~
• Watches
• Jewellery
• Clothing & Accessories
• Shoes, Handbags & Sunglasses
• Pet Supplies
• Electronics*
• Camera*
• Medical devices^

Toys & Games, Baby Products categories, dangerous goods, and expiration dated products (for example, food and beverage, medicine, beauty) are not eligible for virtual tracking even if enrolled in the Transparency program.

* Certain product types within these categories may be eligible for virtual tracking. Confirm eligibility details on the Shipment creation page.

~ Any of the memory products in the Computer category are not eligible for tracking with the manufacturer barcode and need an Amazon barcode. This includes original inkjet printer ink cartridges, compatible inkjet printer ink cartridges, original projection lamps, compatible projection lamps, memory products including USB, memory cards, SD cards, mini/micro SD cards, memory sticks, CF/XD cards, memory card readers, built-in memory, and other memory devices.

^ Medical devices are not eligible for tracking with manufacturer barcodes regardless of categories due to legal compliance requirements. If Amazon detects that any medical devices are shipped or stored using virtual tracking, Amazon will immediately change the status of the inventory to unsellable. For more information, go to Medical devices and accessories.

Parallel import products in the categories in the table below, bulk products (white box, simplified package), and OEM products (off-brands) also need to have an Amazon barcode. Amazon cannot receive your product if no Amazon barcode is attached for these types of products:

• Electronics
• Office Products
• Musical Instruments
• Home & Garden
• Major Appliances
• Computers
• Toys
• Baby & Maternity
• Sports & Outdoors
• Tools & Home Improvement
• Automotive & Powersports

Using virtual tracking can help:

• Save you the cost of creating and applying unique barcodes for each unit
• Improve customer service by delivering items to buyers faster, using a more distributed fulfilment network
• Minimise fees to sellers by lowering fulfilment costs
• Reduce carbon emissions and packaging waste

Example

Suppose a customer in Canberra orders a product, and only two units are available. One unit is in a fulfilment centre in Melbourne and one unit is in a fulfilment centre in Sydney . The seller who owns the Melbourne unit is the one who makes the sale.

To provide faster delivery for the buyer, we will send the unit from the closer fulfilment centre in Sydney . We will credit the money to the seller who made the sale, and credit the unit back to the seller who did not make the sale by virtually transferring ownership of the identical unit in Melbourne .

Not all products are eligible for virtual tracking and Amazon updates product eligibility periodically to ensure that we provide the best service for customers and sellers.

When your product is not eligible for virtual tracking, you may get an exemption by applying with Amazon Brand Registry and enrolling your ASIN in the program. Non-brand-registered sellers would be required to apply Amazon bar codes for the ineligible product. An Amazon bar code is required in place of the manufacturer bar code when product don’t meet the requirements and no exemption is approved. Additionally, if you send in ineligible products to fulfilment centres with only the manufacturer bar code, Amazon may charge Unplanned prep service fees and apply an Amazon bar code for you.

For a product to qualify for virtual tracking, it must meet all of the following requirements:

• Be in new condition
• Have a single, scannable UPC, EAN, or ISBN bar code matching a single ASIN in the Amazon catalogue
• Not be an FBA restricted product or a dangerous good
• Not be an expiration-dated product
• Not be a consumable or topical product (such as grocery items, skin creams, cosmetics, or soaps)
• Not be a media product (such as books, CDs, VHS tapes, or DVDs)
• Not be a product related to children or infants (such as toys or baby clothes)
• Not be a fashion product (such as Watches, Jewelery, Clothing & Accessories, Shoes, Handbags & Sunglasses)
• Not be a software and video games
• Not be an automotive product
• Not be a pet supply
• Not be a memory product (specific *1)

The default account level setting is for the manufacturer bar code, but you can change your preference at any time (section A). You also can change your bar code preference for new FBA offers that you create (section B).

A. Change the bar code preference for your account

There are two options under bar code preference:

• Manufacturer bar code: If you choose this as your preference, all eligible offers that you create thereafter will have the default option to be sent in with the manufacturer bar code and participate in virtual tracking.
• Amazon bar code: If you choose this as your preference, all the offers that you create thereafter will display the Amazon bar code as the default option and require you to place an additional label on individual units. Units labelled with an Amazon bar code will not participate in virtual tracking.

To change your account bar code preference, follow these steps:

1. Go to Fulfillment by Amazon settings.
2. Scroll down to FBA product bar code preference and click Edit.
3. Select Manufacturer bar code or Amazon bar code, then click Update.

It will take about 24 hours for the new preference to take effect, and it will only apply to new offers. You cannot change the bar code preference for existing offers or for shipments that have already been created.

To use the new bar code preference, you must create a new offer or change the bar code setting for each existing offer, and then it will be in effect for new shipments.

B. Change the bar code preference for your new offers

When you create a new offer, you may have the option to select your bar code preference. For all new offers that are eligible for virtual tracking, you will have the option to use either the manufacturer bar code or an Amazon bar code. If your new offer is not eligible for virtual tracking, only the Amazon bar code option will be available.

If you choose to send the eligible inventory with the manufacturer bar code, you won’t be prompted to place additional labels on each individual unit. To learn more, go to Create a new listing that uses virtual tracking.

If you don’t want to participate in virtual tracking any longer, you can change your preferences to use an Amazon barcode by following the instructions above. You would then be required to print Amazon barcodes from your seller account and apply them on the products yourself, or have Amazon print and apply them for a per-item fee. For more information, go to FBA Label Service.

Videos

• Your first FBA shipment: Labelling
• How to label products for fulfilment

Help pages

• FBA product barcode requirements
• Expiration-dated inventory
• Dangerous goods identification guide (Hazmat)
• Use an Amazon bar code to track inventory
• Change to Amazon bar code by creating a new product offer
• Create a new listing that uses virtual tracking
• How to switch from using Amazon bar codes to manufacturer bar codes
• Virtual tracking FAQ