In the fast-paced world of eCommerce, Amazon is a leading platform for both sellers and buyers. One of the most important aspects for sellers when fulfilling orders through Amazon’s Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) program is ensuring that their products are correctly labeled. This is where the FNSKU label program comes into play. If you’re an Amazon seller, it’s crucial to understand what FNSKU labels are, why they matter, and how to use them properly. In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the FNSKU label program and its role in Amazon's FBA process.
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What Is FNSKU?
FNSKU stands for Fulfillment Network Stock Keeping Unit. It is a unique identification number used by Amazon to track inventory stored in its fulfillment centers. The FNSKU is essential for sellers who use Amazon's FBA service, as it ensures that Amazon correctly attributes inventory to your account, so that when a customer makes a purchase, the correct product is shipped.
The FNSKU label serves several important functions within the Amazon ecosystem:
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Inventory Tracking: It helps Amazon’s fulfillment centers easily identify and manage your products.
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Product Attribution: It ensures that sales are accurately tracked for each product in your inventory.
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Preventing Mix-Ups: It prevents the mix-up of inventory from different sellers by providing a unique identifier for each product.
How Does the FNSKU Label Program Work?
When you enroll in Amazon’s FBA program, you send your products to Amazon’s fulfillment centers to be stored, packaged, and shipped when orders are placed. To make sure Amazon knows which products belong to you, each item needs to be labeled with an FNSKU barcode. This barcode is then scanned at various points in the fulfillment process, from when the product enters the warehouse to when it is shipped to a customer.
The process typically works as follows:
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Step 1: Product Listing – When you create a product listing on Amazon, you are required to specify the type of fulfillment method. For FBA sellers, Amazon generates a unique FNSKU barcode for each product listed.
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Step 2: Label Creation – After setting up the listing, Amazon allows you to download the FNSKU labels for your products. These labels must be printed and attached to each unit of inventory you send to Amazon’s fulfillment centers.
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Step 3: Shipment to Fulfillment Centers – Once your products are labeled, you ship them to Amazon’s fulfillment centers. The FNSKU label will help Amazon staff quickly identify your products during storage, picking, and packing.
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Step 4: Sales and Shipping – When a customer orders your product, Amazon scans the FNSKU label to confirm the correct item is shipped to the buyer.
Why Do FNSKU Labels Matter?
FNSKU labels are essential for the smooth functioning of Amazon’s FBA program for several reasons:
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Accurate Tracking: Without proper labeling, Amazon would have a difficult time tracking your inventory and associating sales with the right seller account. The FNSKU ensures that each sale is attributed to you, which is crucial for maintaining accurate financial records.
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Inventory Control: The FNSKU ensures that products from different sellers are kept separate in Amazon’s warehouses. Without it, there would be a risk of inventory mix-ups, leading to confusion and potentially lost sales.
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Simplified Logistics: The FNSKU system helps streamline Amazon’s logistics and shipping operations. By scanning these labels, Amazon staff can quickly locate and ship the right products, reducing delays and errors.
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Compliance: In some cases, FBA sellers are required to use FNSKU labels to comply with Amazon’s policies. This is especially important if you're selling products with variations (like sizes or colors), as FNSKUs help prevent mix-ups between similar items.
FNSKU vs. SKU: What’s the Difference?
The terms FNSKU and SKU are often used interchangeably, but there is a key difference between the two:
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FNSKU: This is specific to Amazon and is used exclusively for products fulfilled by Amazon through the FBA program. Each FNSKU is unique to a seller's inventory.
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SKU (Stock Keeping Unit): This is a broader term used to identify products in a seller’s inventory. While an SKU can be used by the seller for tracking their products, it is not unique to Amazon and does not serve the same purpose in the FBA system as an FNSKU does.
For example, a seller might create their own SKU to organize products in their inventory, but when sending those products to Amazon’s fulfillment centers, each item will need an FNSKU label to ensure that it’s properly tracked and attributed to their account.
How to Create FNSKU Labels
Creating and printing FNSKU labels is a straightforward process. Here’s how you can generate and print FNSKU labels for your products:
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Log into Your Seller Central Account: Go to your Amazon Seller Central dashboard.
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Navigate to Inventory: Click on “Manage Inventory” to see a list of your products.
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Select Products to Label: Choose the products you want to label with FNSKU barcodes. You may have the option to select multiple products at once.
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Generate Labels: Click on the “Print Labels” button to generate the FNSKU labels for the selected products. Amazon will provide a downloadable PDF with the labels.
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Print the Labels: Print the FNSKU labels on adhesive label sheets. Make sure the labels are clear, legible, and properly sized to fit your product packaging.
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Attach the Labels: Carefully attach each label to your product or its packaging. Make sure the barcode is visible and scannable.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using FNSKU Labels
While the FNSKU label process may seem simple, there are several common mistakes that sellers should be aware of:
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Incorrect Label Placement: Make sure that the FNSKU label is placed in a location where it’s easily scannable. Avoid covering it with other labels, packaging, or product designs.
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Using the Wrong Labels: Only use the FNSKU label that Amazon provides for your specific product. If you use an incorrect label (e.g., a label meant for a different product), Amazon may not be able to track your inventory correctly.
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Missing Labels: Always ensure that every unit of your inventory is labeled with the correct FNSKU barcode. Sending unlabelled units to Amazon will result in delays or additional labeling fees.
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Faded or Damaged Labels: Ensure the labels are clear and legible when printed. Faded or damaged labels can cause scanning issues and delays in processing your inventory.
FNSKU Labels and Other Fulfillment Programs
If you are using other fulfillment programs, such as Seller Fulfilled Prime (SFP) or Fulfilled by Merchant (FBM), the FNSKU label program is not required. In these cases, sellers handle their own inventory and shipping directly, and the need for FNSKU labels is eliminated.
However, for FBA sellers, using FNSKU labels is an integral part of ensuring efficient operations. Keep in mind that if you switch from FBA to another fulfillment method, you will no longer need to use FNSKUs.
Conclusion
Understanding the FNSKU label program is a critical part of being an Amazon seller, particularly for those who use the Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) service. FNSKU labels help Amazon accurately track and ship your products, ensure proper attribution of sales, and streamline the logistics process. By correctly labeling your products and avoiding common mistakes, you can improve your inventory management, reduce the risk of errors, and provide a better experience for your customers. If you’re an FBA seller, mastering the FNSKU label system is key to building a successful Amazon business.
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About the author
Jordi Ordonez
I’m an independent eCommerce and Amazon consultant.
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I've worked with brands like Estrella Damm, Intersport, Bella Aurora, Lladró, Textura Interiors, Nice Things Palomas, Castañer, Due-Home, and many others.
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