Amazon Discontinues FBA Labeling Service: What Sellers Must Do Before May 2026
Amazon is ending its FBA labeling service on May 1, 2026. Sellers must now handle all barcode labeling themselves or use third-party prep services. Virtual tracking with manufacturer barcodes remains an option for eligible products.
Overview
Amazon has announced it will discontinue its FBA prep and item labeling service effective May 1, 2026. This means sellers who previously relied on Amazon to apply barcode labels to their products at fulfillment centers will need to handle all labeling themselves — or find a third-party prep service — before shipping inventory to FBA. Understanding the barcode and labeling requirements is essential to avoid shipment delays and compliance issues.
Key Points / What Sellers Need to Know
- Labeling service ends May 1, 2026 — Amazon will no longer apply barcode labels to products on behalf of sellers at its fulfillment centers after this date.
- Transitional pricing honored — Shipments created before the May 1 cutoff will continue to receive labeling at the existing rate of $0.55 per unit, provided the seller had already requested labeling services.
- FNSKU labels are required — If a product lacks a scannable manufacturer barcode or does not qualify for virtual tracking, sellers must apply an Amazon FNSKU barcode label to every unit before shipping.
- GTIN exemptions available — Brand Registry sellers who lack standard product identifiers like UPCs, EANs, JANs, or ISBNs can apply for a GTIN exemption rather than purchasing barcodes.
- Virtual tracking as an alternative — Eligible products can use manufacturer barcodes with Amazon's virtual tracking system, eliminating the need for individual FNSKU labels.
How FBA Labeling Works
Every product sent to an FBA fulfillment center must be identifiable through a scannable barcode. Historically, Amazon offered a paid labeling service where its warehouse staff would apply FNSKU labels to units upon arrival. With the elimination of this service, the responsibility falls entirely on sellers to ensure every item is properly labeled before it reaches the warehouse. Products arriving without the correct barcode will likely be rejected or subject to additional fees and processing delays.
Sellers have two primary barcode options. The first is the FNSKU (Fulfillment Network Stock Keeping Unit), a unique Amazon-generated barcode that ties a specific unit to a specific seller. This is the default requirement. The second option is manufacturer barcode tracking, sometimes called commingled or stickerless inventory, where Amazon uses the existing UPC or EAN on the product packaging. However, manufacturer barcode tracking is only available for eligible products and carries the risk of inventory commingling with other sellers' stock.
Analysis & Recommendations
Why This Matters
Sellers who relied on Amazon's in-house labeling must establish new labeling workflows before May 2026 or risk shipment rejections. This affects day-to-day FBA operations and could increase costs or processing time for unprepared sellers.
Key Takeaways
- Amazon's FBA labeling service ends May 1, 2026 — sellers must label all products themselves going forward
- Existing shipments created before the cutoff will still be labeled at $0.55 per unit
- FNSKU barcode labels are required on all products unless they qualify for virtual tracking with manufacturer barcodes
- Brand Registry sellers without UPCs can apply for a GTIN exemption to list products without purchasing barcodes
Recommended Actions
- →Audit your current inventory to identify which products need FNSKU labels versus those eligible for virtual tracking
- →Invest in a thermal label printer or establish a relationship with a third-party prep center before the May 2026 deadline
- →Review and update your labeling preferences in Seller Central shipment workflows to reflect self-labeling
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