What is an Amazon FNSKU & How to Create One

New Amazon sellers hear many different abbreviations: FBA, FBM, SKU, ASIN, FNSKU. It can get confusing! One that trips up many sellers is the FNSKU. What is it? Do you need an FNSKU? How do you get an FNSKU? Keep on reading to learn more about the FNSKU barcode and how to create one. 

In this article, we’ll go over:

What is an FNSKU?

Fulfillment Network Stock Keeping Unit (FNSKU) is an Amazon-specific barcode used by FBA sellers. Amazon uses the FNSKU (also known as the Amazon barcode) to identify sellers’ products and connect those products to your Amazon Seller account

If you are using Fulfillment by Amazon, Amazon will likely require each of your units to be labeled with the FNSKU barcode. Amazon likes to use the FNSKU barcode over the UPC barcode because it is easier to track your inventory and keep your inventory separate from other sellers’ inventory. 

Amazon will also use the FNSKU barcode during the fulfillment process to ensure they have the correct product and that the right seller is credited for the sale. 

What is the difference between an ASIN and FNSKU?

There is also a lot of confusion between an ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number) and the FNSKU. Every product on Amazon has a unique ASIN, which is used to identify the product. 

Look on any product detail page, and you will see the ASIN of that product. 

The difference between an ASIN and FNSKU is that the ASIN is product-specific, and the FNSKU is seller-specific. The FNSKU tells Amazon what the product is and to whom the product belongs. The ASIN just identifies the product.

What is the difference between an FNSKU and UPC?

A UPC (universal product code) is similar to an FNSKU in the sense that it also identifies what a specific product is. The difference is that a UPC can be used in every store or online marketplace, whereas the FNSKU is unique to Amazon only. 

The FNSKU barcode is essential on each of your units, especially if you’re reselling products via retail arbitrage or wholesale on ASINs with multiple sellers. 

That is because if you only use the UPC barcode when shipping products to FBA, your inventory will be mixed in with other sellers’ inventory of the same product. If you use the FNSKU barcode, Amazon will keep your inventory separate from other sellers, even if you sell on the same ASIN. 

Do you need to use an FNSKU for your Amazon product?

Does Amazon require you to use an FNSKU barcode on your product? Well, it depends. 

When adding a product to your inventory, Amazon will ask for your barcode preference — either the manufacturer barcode (UPC) or an Amazon barcode. In some cases, Amazon may require sellers to use the Amazon barcode.

We recommend always using the Amazon barcode (FNSKU) as it makes keeping track of your inventory much more manageable. 

You can also change your barcode preferences under settings in Seller Central

How to create an FNSKU

If you are an Amazon seller with FBA inventory and Amazon barcode enabled, each unit will have its own FNSKU. If you have any FBM (fulfilled by Merchant) listings, those will not have an FNSKU. 

To find the FNSKU for your product, go to Manage Inventory and ensure the “FNSKU” column is checked in your preferences. 

How to label your products with an FNSKU barcode

Before Amazon can make your inventory active, each unit must be labeled with the FNSKU barcode (if you have the Amazon barcode enabled or Amazon requires it for your product.) 

You can either label the products yourself, have your supplier label (or print your FNSKU barcode on the packaging), or have Amazon label each unit for you (for a fee, of course).

To print item labels, go to Manage Inventory and find the product you want to label. On the right-hand side, find the edit button, click the down-arrow next to it, and choose “Print item labels.”

Choose how many labels you want and click “Print Item Labels.”

If you want to have your supplier label or print your barcode on the packaging for you, take a screenshot of your barcode and send it to them. 

Following the same steps above, once you click on “Print Item Labels,” a PDF will download. Once opened, you will find your FNSKU barcode. 

Alternatively, you can have Amazon label each item for $0.55 per unit. You can choose to have Amazon label each unit while creating your FBA shipment

FNSKUs on Amazon

We hope this clears up any confusion you may have had regarding FNSKU on Amazon! If you have any more questions, let us know in the comments!

To learn more about selling on Amazon, check out our latest YouTube video (which also explains the FNSKU)!

Want to learn more about how Jungle Scout can help you start, grow and run your Amazon business? Click the Learn More button below.

15 comments on “What is an Amazon FNSKU & How to Create One

  1. Hi, I just want to make sure that I can print the labels on my thermal printer from Jungle scout. I know Inventory Lab has that feature – a plug-in, does Jungle Scout as well? Easy? Or do I need to get another 3rd party app of some sort?
    Thanks!

    1. Hi Jean,

      You cannot create shipments in Jungle Scout as you can with Inventory Lab and do not have the option to print labels from Jungle Scout.

    1. When creating your shipment in Seller Central, you will get to a step where Amazon will say you can use the manufacturer’s barcode or FNSKU. But I suggest using the FNSKU.

    1. Hi John,

      Not necessarily, but you will need a GS1 barcode to create your Amazon listing. If you don’t have one, you can apply for a GTIN exemption with Amazon.

  2. will the FNSKU for 25 units (same size,color,type) will be same ? or will there be 25 different FNSKU’s. I have 25 white shelf liner rolls(same size, color,pattern etc).

  3. Amazon assigned me an FNSKU that is exactly the same as my ASIN number. Will that be an issue? If I have my manufacturer label the product with the FNSKU number assigned by Amazon, will it get into the Amazon warehouse system correctly?

    1. Hi Neil,

      Yes, that happens if you choose to use the manufacturer’s barcode as your FBA barcode preference. You need to change your FBA barcode preferences to “Amazon barcode” in settings in Seller Central.

  4. Thank you for this article. Even if the product I’m selling is a new product on Amazon I don’t need to use an UPC code?

  5. I usually label with a GTIN but it sounds like I may be adding complexity + expense I don’t need. (??) Definitely checking into. Great info!

    1. Hi Kristen,

      Yes, I suggest labeling with the FNSKU as it is easier for Amazon to receive your products and will reduce any label fees Amazon charges you.

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