How to Use 2D Barcodes for Box Content Information in Send to Amazon Shipments
Amazon's 2D barcode option lets sellers provide box content information by scanning barcodes instead of manual entry during the Send to Amazon workflow. It's especially useful for drop shippers and high-volume operations but may result in longer processing times at fulfillment centers.
Overview
Amazon now allows sellers to use 2D barcodes as an alternative method for providing box content information when creating FBA shipments through the Send to Amazon workflow. This feature lets fulfillment centers scan a barcode on each box to quickly identify its contents, which can be particularly valuable for sellers who drop-ship inventory directly from suppliers or manage high-volume operations.
Key Points / What Sellers Need to Know
- Available for individual unit shipments — The 2D barcode option appears in step 1b of the Send to Amazon workflow, but only if you add inventory as individual units earlier in step 1.
- Replaces manual box content entry — When you use 2D barcodes, you do not need to provide box content information through other methods in the workflow.
- Third-party tool required — Amazon does not generate the 2D barcodes for you. You will need a third-party application or website to create them.
- Does not replace shipping labels — 2D barcodes are supplemental. Standard Amazon shipping labels are still required on every box in your shipment.
- Box weight and dimensions still mandatory — Even if you opt out of providing detailed box content information, you must still enter box weight and dimensions for all shipments.
How It Works
During the Send to Amazon shipment creation workflow, sellers can select the 2D barcodes option and then apply a unique 2D barcode to each box in the shipment. When the boxes arrive at an Amazon fulfillment center, staff simply scan the barcode to determine the specific contents of that box. This eliminates the need to manually enter product quantities for each box through the standard box content information steps. The barcode encodes the product quantities for the items inside each box, streamlining the check-in process at the warehouse.
Benefits for High-Volume Sellers and Drop Shippers
One of the biggest advantages of 2D barcodes is their usefulness for sellers who drop-ship inventory directly from suppliers to Amazon fulfillment centers. A supplier can apply the barcode and provide box-level information without needing access to the full details of your FBA shipment plan. This keeps your shipment data private while still giving Amazon the information it needs. For sellers managing high-volume operations, 2D barcodes scale more easily to larger shipments compared to manually entering box content details for dozens or hundreds of boxes.
Analysis & Recommendations
Why This Matters
Sellers who ship large volumes or use third-party suppliers can reduce the time spent on shipment creation. However, choosing 2D barcodes without understanding the trade-offs could lead to slower inventory availability or unexpected fees.
Key Takeaways
- 2D barcodes let Amazon scan box contents instead of requiring manual entry in the Send to Amazon workflow
- Suppliers can apply barcodes without seeing your full FBA shipment details, making drop-shipping easier
- Shipments using 2D barcodes may take longer to process at fulfillment centers than those with direct box content data
- Inaccurate box content information through any method can result in shipment blocks and manual processing fees
Recommended Actions
- →Test the 2D barcode option on a small shipment before adopting it for your full operation
- →Identify a reliable third-party tool for generating 2D barcodes before switching to this method
- →Avoid using 2D barcodes during peak seasons when faster inventory receiving is critical
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