FBA product barcode requirements

FBA uses barcodes to identify and track an inventory throughout the fulfilment process. Each item you send to an Amazon fulfilment centre requires a barcode.

There are two kinds of barcodes that you can use to identify your products:

Manufacturer barcodes (eligible barcodes include GCID, UPC, EAN, JAN, or ISBN)
Amazon barcodes (ASIN, FNSKU, or MSKU)

Important: Items in your inventory that are identified and tracked using manufacturer barcodes are commingled with items of the same products from other sellers who also use manufacturer barcodes for those items.

Manufacturer barcodes

If you use manufacturer barcodes, when customers purchase a product from you, Amazon can send the item that is closest to them, even if you did not send it to the fulfilment centre. When that happens, you receive the credit for the sale and we transfer an item from your inventory to the seller whose inventory was used to fulfil the order. In addition, if you use the manufacturer barcode, you do not have to apply an Amazon barcode to each item yourself.

For more information, refer to the help page Use the manufacturer barcode to track an inventory.

Tip: If you are the manufacturer or the brand owner and want to print barcodes directly on the product packaging, apply for a GS1 standard UPC barcode. For more information, refer to GS1.

Amazon barcodes

Amazon barcodes are required for all products that are not tracked using manufacturer barcodes and products that are expiry-dated. It is also required for consumable and topical products, such as skin creams, shampoos, and cosmetics.

For products that require Amazon barcodes, you can print the barcodes and apply them on your products.

Tip: If you and your brand are enrolled in Amazon Brand Registry, you may use the manufacturer barcode for that brand while other sellers are required to apply Amazon barcodes. In this case however, Amazon will not commingle your inventory with the inventory of other sellers. For more information, contact Seller Support.