Amazon Ending Commingling: New Barcode Rules Take Effect March 31, 2026
Effective March 31, 2026 Amazon will end commingling of FBA inventory. Brand Registry sellers can choose “Manufacturer barcode” (UPC/EAN/ISBN) and skip the Amazon‑issued FNSKU, while all other sellers must apply an Amazon‑generated FNSKU to every unit, even if a UPC is present.
Overview
Amazon will stop allowing commingling of FBA inventory shipped on or after March 31 2026. The policy swap replaces the shared‑stock model with strict barcode rules that differ for Brand Registry owners and for other sellers. Understanding the new requirements now is essential to avoid costly relabeling fees and shipment rejections later this year.
Key Points
- Commingle end date — All units arriving at Amazon fulfillment centers on or after 31 Mar 2026 must be tracked individually, ending the practice of mixing identical products from different sellers.
- Brand‑owner simplification — Sellers enrolled in Brand Registry can rely on the manufacturer’s UPC, EAN or ISBN and skip the Amazon‑issued FNSKU label on every unit that already bears a valid barcode.
- Reseller labeling mandate — Wholesalers, arbitrage operators and any seller not listed as a brand owner must affix an Amazon FNSKU sticker to every item, even if the product already carries a UPC or EAN.
- No‑barcode exception — Products lacking any manufacturer barcode—such as custom‑made goods, private‑label items without UPCs, or unbranded accessories—still require an Amazon FNSKU label regardless of seller type.
- Prep‑center impact — Third‑party prep services will need to adjust their SOPs by March 2026 to either stop applying FNSKUs for Brand Registry owners or to start applying them for all non‑brand sellers.
- Potential cost shift – Brand owners can cut labeling labor and sticker costs, while resellers should budget for the extra FNSKU stickers and possible increased handling time.
What’s Changing
- Barcode selection — When creating a shipment, Brand Registry owners choose “Manufacturer barcode” in Seller Central; Amazon then verifies the UPC/EAN/ISBN and skips the FNSKU step, e.g., a 12‑oz shampoo with a UPC can be sent directly to the fulfillment center without additional stickers.
- Mandatory FNSKU for non‑brands — Sellers without Brand Registry status must select “Amazon barcode” for every SKU; Amazon generates a unique FNSKU that must be printed and applied, for instance, a bulk pack of generic phone chargers that previously shipped with only a UPC now needs a distinct Amazon label on each unit.
Analysis & Recommendations
Why This Matters
If sellers do not update barcode settings by the March 31, 2026 deadline, Amazon will relabel non‑compliant units and charge fees, increasing costs. Brand owners can save on sticker and labor expenses, whereas resellers must budget for extra FNSKU labels (e.g., $0.02 per 10‑inch label).
Key Takeaways
- Commingle ends on 31 Mar 2026; all units must be individually tracked.
- Brand Registry owners can select “Manufacturer barcode” and avoid FNSKU stickers.
- Non‑brand sellers must select “Amazon barcode” and print a unique FNSKU for each unit.
- Items without any manufacturer barcode still require an Amazon FNSKU regardless of seller type.
Recommended Actions
- →In Seller Central go to Settings > Inventory > Manage Inventory, edit each affected SKU and set Barcode Preference to “Manufacturer barcode” for Br...
- →Contact any third‑party prep center and update contracts to apply FNSKU stickers to 100 % of non‑brand shipments before March 2026.
- →Run a SKU audit now, separate items that need FNSKU labels, and pre‑label those units to avoid a last‑minute rush.
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