Initially, you'll need a Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) to identify the product for an Amazon listing and you'll then need a barcode on the product if you are sending the product into Amazon warehouse for distribution (known as Fulfilled by Amazon or FBA).
Amazon allows two types of barcodes for stock going into their warehouses: EAN/UPC barcodes (known as manufacturer barcodes) or an Amazon-specific symbols called Fulfilment Network Stock Keeping Unit barcodes (FNSKU).
Sellers will be able to select which barcode they intend to use when creating their listings:
Manufacturer barcodes
These are the EAN/UPC barcodes that are applied by you if you are the brand owner or by the manufacturer if you are selling someone else’s products. Amazon refers to these as 'manufacturer barcodes'.
If you are selling products like this that already have these GS1 barcodes on them, you should use the same GTIN that is in the barcode to create the listing.
Using the manufacturer's GS1 barcode for Amazon means you dont need to apply Amazon-specific barcodes for stock going into their warehouses - you can keep the same barcode that you're using for other retailers, meaning you'll save time and money through not having to relabel items. This means that your products will be mixed in with other sellers' inventory of the same product (stickerless, commingled inventory).
Amazon likes to make the delivery experience for the customer as fast as possible, so when you use a manufacturer barcode it enables Amazon to fulfil from the stock location closest to the customer. They do this by using other sellers' inventory of the same product.
This is known as ‘commingled inventory’ and this is the default setting in Seller Central when using stickerless, manufacturer barcodes, and it can be turned off if you wish.
Amazon specific barcodes
Alternatively, you can choose to use a barcode that is specific to Amazon: the Fulfillment Network Stock Keeping Unit (FNSKU).
The FNSKU identifies the seller and type of product, rather than just the type of product. It is not a GS1 barcode and it won't work for other platforms or retailers, so you will need to relabel your products to sell them elsewhere.
Amazon brand registry
If your brand is approved for Amazon Brand Registry and you don't have a manufacturer barcode, you can apply for a GTIN exemption.
If you do use a GS1 barcode for Amazon, make sure it’s consistent with GS1 standards. Inconsistencies can lead to charge backs and other problems.
Amazon have mandated the use of GS1 GTINs to list your products on their site. Amazon could remove your listing if a GTIN is not found on the GS1 database.
We provide Amazon with data on new GS1 UK members every day. Amazon needs to then process this information which means it may take up to 72 hours from the time you join GS1 UK for your numbers to become valid on the Amazon site.