Source Your Amazon Product Barcodes

How to Get an FNSKU Barcode and What It Will Cost: A Comprehensive Guide

For Amazon sellers using Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), barcodes play a crucial role in tracking and managing inventory within Amazon’s fulfillment centers. One of the most important barcodes you’ll encounter is the FNSKU (Fulfillment Network Stock Keeping Unit). In this post, we’ll walk you through the process of obtaining an FNSKU barcode, what it costs, and the role of GS1 in product barcoding.

What is an FNSKU Barcode?

The FNSKU (Fulfillment Network Stock Keeping Unit) is a unique identifier assigned by Amazon to each product that is fulfilled through their FBA service. The FNSKU links a specific product to the seller, allowing Amazon to differentiate identical products from different sellers. This ensures that sellers receive credit for sales of their own products, even if multiple sellers offer similar or identical items.

The FNSKU barcode must be affixed to each unit you send to an Amazon fulfillment center, making it easy for Amazon to manage and track your inventory.

How to Get an FNSKU Barcode

  1. Create a Product Listing on Amazon
    • First, create a product listing in Seller Central. When setting up your listing, you’ll need to provide information like the product name, description, and images.
  2. Convert to Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA)
    • Once your product is listed, you’ll need to convert it to be fulfilled by Amazon. This can be done by navigating to the “Manage Inventory” page and selecting the option to “Convert to Fulfilled by Amazon.”
  3. Get the FNSKU Assigned
    • After converting to FBA, Amazon will automatically generate the FNSKU for your product. You can download the barcode from the “Manage Inventory” section under “Print Item Labels.” These barcodes can be printed and affixed to your products either by you or by a third-party prep service.
  4. Labeling Your Products
    • It’s important to label your products correctly. Each unit must have the FNSKU barcode label applied to either the product packaging or the outer box if it contains multiple items.
    Optional Service: If you don’t want to handle labeling, Amazon can do it for you at a cost of $0.55 per unit (as of 2024).

Costs of Obtaining an FNSKU Barcode

While obtaining an FNSKU barcode itself doesn’t have a direct cost, there are some expenses associated with the process:

  1. GS1 Barcode for Product Identification
    • Before you get an FNSKU, you need a product identifier like a UPC (Universal Product Code), which is used when creating your product listing. These UPCs should be purchased from GS1, the only universally recognized organization that issues official product codes.
    GS1 Cost Breakdown:
    • A single UPC from GS1 costs around $30, but larger quantities or subscriptions come with discounts.GS1 also offers a subscription service based on the number of barcodes you need. For example, 10 barcodes start at around $250 for the initial purchase, with an annual renewal fee.
    Note: While cheaper alternatives for UPCs exist, these are often unofficial and may result in your listing being rejected by Amazon, so it’s crucial to get your barcodes from GS1 to avoid problems.
  2. Printing and Labeling Costs
    • If you print the FNSKU labels yourself, you will need a label printer and blank label sheets, which can cost between $50 and $200 for the printer and around $20 for labels.
    • Alternatively, Amazon offers a labeling service at $0.55 per unit, which can be a cost-effective option if you’re shipping small quantities or prefer not to deal with labeling logistics.

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Understanding GS1 and Its Role in Barcoding

GS1 (Global Standards 1) is a non-profit organization that develops and maintains global standards for business communication, including barcoding. When you create a product listing on Amazon, you will need a GS1-registered UPC, which ensures that the product’s identification is unique and traceable across all platforms.

When you buy barcodes from GS1, they assign a unique company prefix to your business. This prefix is used to create unique product identifiers (UPCs) for each of your products. These identifiers are then used to create FNSKU barcodes within Amazon’s system.

That’s It!

Getting an FNSKU barcode is a straightforward process once you have a UPC from GS1. While the FNSKU barcode itself doesn’t come with a direct cost, there are associated expenses like purchasing a GS1-registered UPC, printing labels, and optional services for labeling through Amazon. By following the steps outlined above, you’ll be able to smoothly navigate the process and ensure your products are ready for Amazon FBA.

Investing in GS1 barcodes is essential for ensuring compliance and legitimacy on Amazon’s platform, making it a smart long-term investment for your business. Happy selling!