Overview

Amazon is updating its FBA barcode requirements effective January 31, 2026. Under the new policy, sellers who are not brand owners will be required to use Amazon barcodes (FNSKU) for their products, even if those products carry a manufacturer barcode (UPC/EAN). This change has significant operational implications, as switching barcodes requires creating new SKUs and managing the transition across inventory, advertising, and pricing.

Key Points / What Sellers Need to Know

• Brand owners are exempt — If you are the brand owner and have enrolled your ASINs in Amazon Brand Registry, you can continue using manufacturer barcodes without stickers. This change does not apply to you.
• Non-brand-owners must switch to FNSKU — Sellers who are not brand owners will now be required to use Amazon barcodes for all FBA products, replacing manufacturer barcode tracking.
• Existing inventory is unaffected — Items already stored in or on their way to Amazon fulfillment centers do not require immediate action. The change applies to future shipments.
• New SKUs are required — Switching your barcode setting means creating a new seller SKU for each affected ASIN. The old SKU's data (pricing recommendations, advertising campaigns, etc.) does not carry over automatically.
• Amazon will notify you — During shipment creation, Amazon will inform you if your products are no longer eligible for manufacturer barcode tracking.
• Eligibility is reviewed periodically — Amazon updates product eligibility on an ongoing basis, so products previously approved for manufacturer barcodes may lose that status over time.

How to Switch Barcodes for Individual ASINs

To change the barcode setting for a single ASIN, you need to create a new SKU through Seller Central. Navigate to your inventory management page and use the search bar to locate the affected SKU by entering its ASIN or SKU identifier. Once you find the listing, click the three-dot menu next to it and select the option to add another condition. On the offer creation page, enter a new seller SKU and fill in all required fields. You may use the same item condition as your existing SKU. When you reach the barcode preference section, select Amazon barcode as the barcode type. Complete the dangerous goods information if required, and set the fulfillment method to FBA.