PrepLabelQuick answer: Seller guides and Seller Forums posts quoting Amazon's announcements report two US changes in 2026: Amazon stopped offering FBA prep and item labeling for shipments created from 1 January 2026, and ended commingling on 31 March 2026. Since then, sellers who aren't the brand's Brand Representative in Brand Registry generally need an FNSKU label on every unit, even when it has a UPC or EAN. Confirm your own barcode setting in Seller Central.
What changed in 2026
| Change | Date (as reported) | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon's US FBA prep and item labeling service ends | Shipments created from 1 January 2026 | Amazon no longer applies FNSKU labels, bags or bundles for you. You or your prep center do it before shipping. |
| Commingling (stickerless inventory) ends | 31 March 2026 | Units from different sellers are no longer pooled under the manufacturer barcode. Resellers label their own units with FNSKUs. |
| Manufacturer barcode eligibility updated | From 31 March 2026 | According to seller guides, only sellers with the Brand Representative role can keep using UPC/EAN barcodes for tracking. |
We couldn't open Amazon's own announcement pages to check the exact wording, which need a Seller Central login. The dates above match several independent seller guides, such as GS1 UK's summary, and Seller Forums posts quoting the announcements. Read the announcement in your own Seller Central account before changing your process.
FNSKU label rules that haven't changed
| Rule | What to do | How PrepLabel helps |
|---|---|---|
| Label content | Code 128 barcode, the FNSKU, product title and condition | Prints exactly these four, nothing else |
| Label size | Amazon's guidance has described sizes between 1 × 2 in and 2 × 3 in | 2 × 1, 2.25 × 1.25 and 3 × 1 in rolls; 21- to 44-up sheets |
| Print quality | Black on white, non-reflective labels with removable adhesive; thermal or laser printer; 100% scale | Vector PDFs with bars snapped to printer dots; alignment test page |
| Clear space | Blank space around the bars so they scan | Quiet zone of 1/4 in each side when the label allows |
| Placement | On a flat outside surface, not across edges, corners or seams | Labels sized for the label stock you use |
| Other barcodes | Cover every other scannable barcode on the unit | Scan-check to confirm the right code reads |
Related prep requirements
- Sets and bundles: mark them as sets, for example “Sold as set” or “This is a set. Do not separate”, with one FNSKU on the outside. See sold as set labels.
- Poly bags: bags with an opening of 5 in or more need a suffocation warning, with a minimum font size based on the bag size. See suffocation warning labels.
- Expiration-dated products: dates in MM-DD-YYYY or MM-YYYY on units and cartons. See expiration date labels.
A labeling workflow that scales
- Create the shipment in Seller Central and note the FNSKU and unit count for each product.
- Import the list into the bulk FNSKU label generator, or convert the label PDF Seller Central gives you to your thermal roll size.
- Print one test label, scan it, then print the run. Keep the print log CSV with the shipment.
- Cover old barcodes, apply FNSKU labels on a flat face, add any prep labels, and pack.
Brand owners with the Brand Representative role may be able to keep using manufacturer barcodes. Everyone else should plan on labeling every unit. If you use a prep center, ask which label stock it uses so your PDFs match.
FAQ
Does Amazon still put FNSKU labels on my products for a fee?
Not in the US for shipments created from 1 January 2026, according to the announcement as reported by seller guides. Sellers or their prep centers now apply labels before shipping.
Do Brand Registry sellers need FNSKU labels?
Reports say sellers with the Brand Representative role in Brand Registry can keep using manufacturer barcodes. Resellers without that role need FNSKU labels. Check the barcode setting for each offer in Seller Central.
What has to be on an FNSKU label?
A scannable Code 128 barcode of the FNSKU, the FNSKU in text, the product title and the condition. Nothing else needs to be on the unit label.
What happens if an FNSKU label doesn't scan?
Unscannable or missing labels can cause receiving problems, delays and possible fees. Print at 100% scale on a thermal or laser printer and test-scan before labeling a shipment.
More PrepLabel guides
Last updated · Written by the MiniTools team. General information, not legal advice. Amazon changes its rules, so confirm current requirements in Seller Central.