Overview

Amazon has tightened its inbound scanning rules for Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA) shipments. Effective immediately, any secondary barcode—such as a UPC, EAN, or manufacturer‑issued code—must be completely concealed before the unit reaches an Amazon fulfillment center. The change targets sellers whose FNSKU labels begin with the letter “X,” and non‑compliance can trigger processing delays, inventory misallocation, and possible account penalties. Sellers who ship to FBA need to adjust their prep workflow to avoid costly disruptions.

Key Points

• Barcode‑only scanning — New automated scanners read the first visible barcode on a package, so a leftover UPC can override the intended FNSKU.
• X‑prefix FNSKUs — Only inventory tracked with FNSKUs that start with “X” is subject to the mandatory covering rule.
• Covering requirement — Opaque stickers or labels must fully hide the secondary barcode and its numeric characters.
• Risk of delays — Units arriving with uncovered barcodes may be held for manual review, extending inbound processing time by hours or days.
• Potential misrouting — Incorrect scans can assign stock to another seller’s account or the wrong ASIN, leading to revenue loss.
• Minimal cost – A small adhesive label costs a few cents per unit and adds only seconds to the prep process.

How Barcode Covering Works

1. Identify secondary barcodes — Examine each product’s packaging for any printed UPC, EAN, or other manufacturer code. For example, a 12‑digit UPC printed on the back of a cosmetic bottle must be located before shipping.
2. Select an opaque covering — Use a solid‑color label or sticker that is large enough to completely mask the barcode and the surrounding numbers. A 2 × 2 inch white label works for most standard barcodes.
3. Apply the covering — Press the label firmly over the barcode, ensuring no edges are exposed. In a case where a multi‑pack contains several units, each individual barcode must be covered separately.