What is an FNSKU Label?
Fulfillment Network Stock Keeping Unit (FNSKU) is an Amazon term to describe the barcodes used to connect products to sellers. This term is unique to Amazon. For more on FNSKU label purchasing, we recommend a visit to U-Line for 3 x 1 barcode labels.
How does Amazon use FNSKU Labels?
Alot of sellers on Amazon do not sell private label items. They resell discounted items purchased in-stores or from those store’s websites. This seller model is referred to as Retail Arbitrage or Online Arbitrage. For example, a seller purchases a baby blanket at Target. Afterwards, they list it on Amazon with a $10 mark up. There is a chance that another seller buys the same blanket from Target. In this case, both blankets end up in the same bin at Amazon’s fulfillment center. How does Amazon know which blanket belongs to which seller? The blankets’ identical UPC codes do not differentiate the sellers. Namely, because they are the same! As a result, Amazon requires an FNSKU label for each seller’s products. This code is unique to the seller and their product.
What is a UPC Code?
The original factory UPC barcode identifies the product for the factory. Consequently, the factory barcode does not link to your Seller Central Account. Amazon cannot use this UPC barcode to connect directly to your Seller Central Account. To repeat, they need to scan an FNSKU label that links to your store. Therefore, you must remove or cover the old UPC code. Additionally, you must apply a new FNSKU code, built in your Seller Central account. This links the product to your account with an Amazon picker scans your product for fulfillment. To learn more, click here for a video that explains the difference between a UPC code vs FNSKU code.
How to Get an FNSKU Label From Amazon
FNSKU’s are easy. To get started, check out this 2 minute video. Afterwards, follow these steps to get FNSKU for any of the products you sell on Amazon:
- Set your product to FBA (Fulfilled by Amazon)
- Launch it on Amazon.
- To add a new product to your catalog -> Access your seller account homepage.
- Scroll down the Inventory drop-down
- Click on “Add a Product” from the sidebar. Follow the prompts.
- Once the product is in your catalog, Amazon will assign a unique FNSKU to the product.
How to Print an FNSKU Label from Amazon
We generated the code. Now we need to print & apply it!
- Go to Manage FBA Inventory.
- Find your product.
- Find the drop down menu to the right of the product.
- Click Print Item Labels.
- Print Labels.
- Select OK.
- Apply your new FNSKU label to your products.*
*Note – apply it over the existing UPC barcode.
FNSKU Label Requirements
For private label sellers, we recommend printing FNSKU’s on product packaging. However, retail arbitrage sellers do not have this luxury. For RA sellers, we recommend printing a 3 x 1 thermal printer label. Afterwards, make sure the barcode is easy to read. In fact, use a bar code scanner to verify the label reads well. Do this before delivery to Amazon. After all, the last thing any seller wants is rejected inventory because of poor labeling.