Use an Amazon barcode to track inventory

Amazon systems are barcode-driven. Each unit that you send to a fulfilment centre requires a barcode so that it can be tracked throughout the fulfilment process.

Products that do not use a manufacturer barcode for tracking require an Amazon barcode. You can print Amazon barcodes from within your seller account and apply the barcodes yourself.

If you do not want to apply the barcodes yourself, you can sign up for the FBA Label Service and have Amazon apply the labels for you for a per-item fee. For more information, visit FBA Label Service.

For eligible products, you can use the manufacturer barcode to track your inventory. For more information, visit Using FBA virtual tracking.

For additional information, view our video content:

• How to label products for Fulfilment by Amazon (Video)

Print Amazon barcodes

You can print Amazon barcodes for your products from the Label products page when you create a shipment, or at any time from the Manage inventory page.

If you use a thermal printer, labels are printed immediately. For laser printers, a PDF is generated that you can use to print labels using standard label paper.

To print Amazon barcodes from the Label products page:

1. Select the shipment that you want to work on from the Shipping Queue page.
2. In the Items column, verify the number of each product that you want to send.
3. At the bottom of the page, click Print labels for this page. For thermal printers, the labels will print automatically. For laser printers, a PDF will be generated for use with label paper.

To print Amazon barcodes from Manage inventory, do the following:

1. Select the products in the left column.
2. Select Print item labels from the Action on selected item(s) drop-down menu.

Amazon barcode requirements

Amazon barcodes must remain scannable for a minimum of 24 months. Following the printer and label requirements will help ensure the longevity of your Amazon barcode.

When printing Amazon barcodes onto labels, make sure that the printed labels include:

• Sufficient white space around the Amazon barcode and related text: (0.635 cm on the sides and 0.317 cm on the top and bottom)
• ASIN or FNSKU
• Product name
• Item condition

If you are the product manufacturer or brand owner and you want to print barcodes directly onto the product packaging, apply for your own GS1 standard UPC barcode. For more information, go to GS1 Australia or GS1 New Zealand.

Label placement requirements

When you are ready to affix barcodes to your products, make sure that you:

• Put the correct barcode on each item.
• Cover all other visible barcodes, except for any serial number barcodes or Transparency authentication code labels.
• Place the barcode on the outside of any prep materials.
• Do not place the barcode on a curve or corner of the package.
• Allow 0.63 cm between the edge of the label and the edge of the packaging.
• Ensure that each item in a case pack has an Amazon barcode and any barcodes on the case have been removed.

Printer requirements

The tools in your seller account are optimised for thermal printers. You can also use laser printers. Do not use inkjet printers to print Amazon barcodes.

Each label must be readable and scannable for a minimum of 24 months. The following guidelines will help ensure that the label you print will not smudge or fade:

• Periodically test your Amazon barcodes by scanning them
• Use a printer with a print resolution of 300 DPI or greater
• Periodically test, clean, and replace your printer heads

Label paper requirements

All Amazon barcodes must be printed in black ink on white, non-reflective labels with removable adhesive. Dimensions must be between 2.54 cm x 5.08 cm and 5.08 cm x 7.62 cm (2.54 cm x 7.62 cm or 5.08 cm x 5.08 cm, for example).

For laser printers, the tools in your seller account support the following label sizes:

• 21 labels per page (6.35 cm x 3.81 cm on A4)
• 24 labels per page (6.35 cm x 3.39 cm on A4, 6.35 cm x 3.81 cm on A4, 6.46 cm x 3.38 cm on A4, 6.6 cm x 3.39 mm on A4, 7 cm x 3.60 cm on A4, 7 cm x 3.7 cm on A4)
• 27 labels per page (6.35 cm x 2.96 cm on A4)
• 30 labels per page (2.54 cm x 6.66 cm)
• 40 labels per page (5.25 cm x 2.97 cm on A4)
• 44 labels per page (4.85 cm x 2.54 cm on A4)

If your printer attempts to scale the PDF print area when you print your labels, make sure that the printer scaling is set to None or 100%.

Common problems to avoid

The following problems related to product labels might appear in your Shipping Queue.

For more information including how to avoid these problems, visit Inbound performance summary.