Amazon Barcodes: UPC, GTIN Exemption and FNSKU Labels

Amazon uses two different kinds of barcode, and sellers often mix them up. The UPC, EAN or GTIN identifies your product in the catalog. The FNSKU is Amazon's own label that tracks your specific units inside its warehouses. You need the first to create a listing and, for FBA, the second to ship inventory in.

Product barcodes: UPC, EAN, GTIN

When you create a new listing, Amazon normally requires a GTIN. That can be a UPC (12 digits), EAN (13 digits), ISBN (for books) or another GTIN type. It tells Amazon which catalog product you are selling, and it must be a real number issued through GS1 to you or your brand. A number that belongs to someone else can cause rejected listings or brand conflicts.

If you sell your own brand, buy your numbers from GS1. See the GS1 US site for current fees. Once you have them, make the barcode image with the UPC barcode generator or the EAN-13 generator.

GTIN exemption

If your product genuinely has no barcode, such as handmade goods, bundles you created, or products without a brand, you can request a GTIN exemption in Seller Central. You provide product details and photos of the item and packaging, and Amazon reviews the request. Not all categories or sellers qualify, and approval is not automatic. Check Amazon's seller help pages for the current rules.

FNSKU labels

When you send products to Amazon with Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), each unit must be identifiable. Amazon assigns a FNSKU (Fulfillment Network Stock Keeping Unit) to each of your products, a 10-character code that usually starts with X00. The FNSKU label shows it as a barcode, and Amazon's warehouses scan it to match the unit to your account.

You have two choices for how units arrive:

• Amazon barcode (FNSKU label). Every unit gets an FNSKU sticker. Amazon tracks it as your inventory. This is the safest option if you want to avoid commingling.
• Manufacturer barcode. Amazon uses the UPC on the package, and your units may be mixed with identical units from other sellers (commingled inventory). This carries a risk of receiving someone else's counterfeit or damaged unit, and many sellers avoid it.

FNSKU barcodes are Code 128 barcodes, so you can create one with the Code 128 generator if you need a custom label. Always use the exact FNSKU Amazon shows in your shipment plan.

Printing FNSKU labels on sheets

FNSKU labels are commonly printed 30 to a page on Avery 5160 style sheets. Each label is 1 inch by 2-5/8 inches in three columns of ten rows. Amazon's own tool lets you pick that layout. You can also build a sheet yourself with the barcode label maker, which fills a template and exports a PDF at the right size. Barcode Ready renders the labels in your browser, so nothing is uploaded.

Printing tips for FBA labels:

• Use a laser or inkjet printer at 300 dpi or higher, set to actual size with no scaling.
• Black on white only. Colored or faint bars can fail to scan in receiving.
• Cover or remove any other barcode on the package, otherwise the warehouse may scan the wrong one.
• Place the label on a flat part of the packaging, not on a seam or curve.
• Print a test page, hold it against a blank sheet to compare size, and scan it with a phone before printing a full batch.

Summary

Get the GTIN right first, then label units for FBA.