What is Amazon FNSKU Explained

If you’re new to Amazon’s marketplace, you’ll likely encounter several unfamiliar terms, including ASIN, SKU, and UPC. However, one of the most crucial terms for Amazon FBA is FNSKU. Understanding the Amazon FNSKU labeling system is essential for tracking your products effectively. This post will guide you in managing your inventory and creating an Amazon barcode for each product.

So, what exactly is Amazon FNSKU, and where can you find it? Many sellers now use Amazon FNSKU barcode label maker tools to streamline their processes and ensure compliance with Amazon’s FNSKU labeling regulations. As you embark on a new online business venture, you’ll likely encounter various Amazon acronyms and abbreviations, such as SKU and EAN. Among these abbreviations, FNSKU is one of the most commonly used.

What is FNSKU?

The complete form of Amazon FNSKU is ‘Fulfillment Network Stock Keeping Unit.’ It is a unique identifier for products (ASINs) sold via Amazon FBA. Amazon uses these barcodes in particular to manage inventory in its warehouses and to ship out orders.

When you send in your products to the Amazon Fulfillment Center, you must obtain the correct Amazon FNSKU labels from Seller Central. These labels then need to be applied to each product package. It is absolutely essential that you comply with Amazon’s FNSKU requirements in order to avoid any delays or rejections at the warehouse.

These barcodes are the FNSKUs associated with your specific product listing. Many sellers utilize an Amazon FNSKU barcode label maker to ensure that these labels are printed clearly. This system enables Amazon to accurately monitor inventory and ensures that the correct product is delivered to the consumer when an order is placed.

Why FNSKU is Important

The Amazon FNSKU plays an important role in the management of Amazon FBA inventory. It helps maintain your inventory separate from other sellers’ inventory in Amazon’s warehouses. This strategy is helpful for product quality, order error prevention, and brand reputation.

How to Create FNSKU in Seller Central?

FNSKUs are generated automatically by Amazon when you convert your listing to FBA.

 To check the FNSKU of an FBA listing, go to Manage Inventory and check for “FNSKU” in the columns section. To obtain your FNSKU, follow these steps:

Step 1: Add a New Product

To obtain your FNSKU, log into Seller Central, go to Catalog, click on Add Products, and input your product information.

Step 2: Choose How Your Item is Fulfilled

As you create your listing, you will see the “Fulfillment Channel” selection. You should select “Amazon will ship and provide customer service (Fulfillment by Amazon).”

Step 3: Decide on Barcode Preference

This section is important when you are trying to create an FNSKU:

• If you prefer to get a unique FNSKU from Amazon (starting with X00), select “Amazon Barcode.”
• If you select “Manufacturer Barcode,” then Amazon will use your existing UPC/EAN (commingling), and you will not get a new FNSKU.

Step 4: Save and Finish

When you save the listing, it automatically generates an FNSKU.

Step 5: Convert an Existing Listing (Optional)

If your listing is already set to be Merchant Fulfilled (FBM), you also have the option to get an FNSKU by changing your listing to FBA:

• Go to your Manage All Inventory option.
• Click the drop-down menu next to the product’s Edit option.
• Click Change to Fulfilled by Amazon.
• Finish the Accept Label Service or Review Selection, and your FNSKU will be generated.

How to Find FNSKU on Amazon: Step-by-Step

If you’re selling on Amazon FBA, each of your products will have a unique code called an FNSKU. This code, when scanned by Amazon, will recognize this as your property and no one else’s.

This is how you can find out what your FNSKU code and barcode look like:

Step 1: Log in to Seller Central

First, log in to your Amazon Seller Central account.

Step 2: Manage Inventory Page

• Click on the Inventory tab in the menu bar.
• From there, select “Manage All Inventory” or “Manage FBA Inventory.”

Step 3: Check the FNSKU Column

• View your product list. You will see a column labeled FNSKU there.
• If you do not see this column, click on “Preferences” (the gear icon) in the top-right corner of the page.
• Check (tick) the FNSKU box in the list and click Save. An alphanumeric code (which often begins with X00) will now appear on your screen.

Step 4: Download the FNSKU Barcode (for Printing)

If you need the barcode image to affix to your product packaging, follow these steps:

• Click on the drop-down arrow located next to the “Edit” button for your product.
• Select “Print Item Labels” from the menu.
• On the next screen, enter the number of labels you wish to print.
• Select the paper/sticker type (the standard size is typically a 30-up label).
• Click on “Print Item Labels.” A PDF file containing your FNSKU barcode will be downloaded.

Amazon FNSKU Label Requirements

When you are preparing your stock for Amazon FBA, just printing the labels is not enough. To avoid any rejection of the products and delays in the warehouse, you need to comply with Amazon’s FNSKU label requirements. If you fail to make your barcode readable, Amazon may reject your stock or charge you extra for correcting the label.

If you follow the points mentioned below, you can ensure that your Amazon FNSKU label is accepted for the first time only:

1. Label Size

The size of the label must be between 1×2 inches and 2×3 inches. It is very important to select the correct size of the label so that the information is clearly visible. The size of the label is either 2″ x 1″ or 1″ x 2-5/8″.

2. White Space (Quiet Zone)

A white space must be present around every Amazon bar code. It is recommended to keep the white space of 0.25 inches on the sides and 0.125 inches on the top and bottom edges of the bar code.

3. Print Quality

The print quality should always be 300 DPI or higher. For this, it is recommended that one always use a high-quality Amazon FNSKU barcode label maker or a thermal printer. The use of inkjet printers is not recommended, as the ink will smear.

4. Label Information

The label should always include, apart from the barcode, the FNSKU alphanumeric code, the name of the product, and the condition of the item, such as ‘New’.

5. Placement

The label should always be stuck to a flat surface. The label should never be stuck to corners, curved surfaces, or seams, where the package opens, as it will become difficult to read the barcode.

6. Cover Other Barcodes

This is perhaps the most important part. If there is already a UPC or EAN barcode on your product, it is recommended that one covers it completely using the new barcode.

Are ASINs and FNSKUs the same?

Many sellers are confused about FNSKU and ASIN. With this guide, our Amazon SEO experts have tried to explain the difference between ASIN and FNSKU in simple terms. We hope you understand.

An ASIN is a unique 10-digit code that is automatically generated for each product listed on Amazon, including its variations. The product is tracked and fulfilled using the FNSKU. ASIN is visible to the customer on the listing page, while FNSKU is visible only to the seller in the seller central dashboard.

UPC Vs FNSKU: What’s the Difference?

UPC (Universal Product Code) and FNSKU use similar mechanisms to track and identify products. The only difference is that FNSKU is Amazon-specific, while UPC is universally used everywhere.

When you are doing FBA (especially retail arbitrage), it is vital to use FNSKU barcodes on the product boxes. This is because many other sellers may be selling the same ASIN product using FBA on Amazon. 

So, having a UPC barcode only leads to inventory mixing with other sellers selling the same ASIN. This can be avoided by adding FNSKU labels, as a unique FNSKU will be assigned to each seller for every product listing. Adding FNSKU will ensure separate storage in Amazon warehouses.

 

Feature	ASIN	FNSKU	UPC/EAN
Full Form	Amazon Standard Identification Number	Fulfillment Network Stock Keeping Unit	Universal Product Code / European Article Number
Generated By	Amazon	Amazon	Manufacturer
Used For	Product identification	Inventory tracking (FBA)	Global product identification
Visibility	Customers can see	Only the seller can see	Printed on product
Purpose	Listing identification	Warehouse tracking	Retail identification
Unique Per Seller	No	Yes	No

Is it Compulsory to use FNSKU?

No, Amazon does not require you to use FNSKU to label the products. However, as stated above, to ensure the safety of your product inventory, it is recommended that Amazon barcodes or FNSKU be used to label the product boxes.

If you are the only seller selling that ASIN on Amazon, there is no need to worry. You can use manufacturer barcodes (UPC, EAN, etc).

Conclusion

The FNSKU has an essential role in Amazon FBA. It enables sellers to maintain tight management of their stock and avoid confusion. Although not always essential, utilizing FNSKUs is beneficial for increased accuracy and efficiency of order fulfillment.  If sellers are aware of how best to utilize FNSKUs, it enables them to improve their performance.