Amazon Label Requirements: A Practical Guide for Sellers

Selling through Amazon FBA comes with strict packaging and label rules that decide how quickly your inventory moves into active stock. If a barcode cannot be scanned, labeling is incorrect, or placement is off, Amazon will hold, reject units or cost you extra for labeling. That slows down inbound timelines, leads to prep fees, and can disrupt your supply chain.

This guide explains the exact label standards Amazon requires for FBA shipments, how to apply them correctly, and what sellers should double check before sending inventory to a fulfillment center.

Why Amazon's FBA Label Rules Matter

Think of an Amazon FBA label as your product’s passport. Without the right information in the correct format, it can't cross the "border" into Amazon's inventory system. This system is a highly automated machine that relies on barcodes to identify, track, and shelve millions of items every day.

A bad label, one that’s wrong, smudged, or unscannable, is a glitch in that machine. It brings the whole process to a dead stop for your product.

When a scanner can't read a label, an Amazon employee has to step in and fix it by hand. This creates delays and, more importantly, triggers unplanned service fees. We're talking about a $0.20 to $0.40 per-item charge for relabeling. Those small fees add up fast, eating directly into your profit margins.

The Impact on Your Business

Nailing Amazon's FBA label requirements has a real, direct effect on your business's health. Here’s a quick breakdown of what's at stake:

• Faster Check-In Times: When your labels are perfect, your inventory gets received and made available for sale much faster. Less downtime means more selling opportunities.

• Reduced Inventory Loss: Each FBA label, especially the FNSKU, creates a unique link between a product and your seller account. This is vital for preventing your items from getting mixed up with a competitor's, a costly mistake known as commingling.

• Avoiding Account Penalties: Amazon takes compliance very seriously. Repeated labeling mistakes can lead to warnings or even having your shipping privileges suspended. They have to keep their network efficient.

FBA Labeling Essentials

To put it all into perspective, here’s a quick-reference table that boils down the key labeling elements and why they're so important for your success as a seller.

This table isn't just a list of rules; it's a checklist for protecting your profits and keeping your FBA operations running smoothly.

The Bigger Picture

The huge scale of Amazon's operation is why these rules are so strict. Projections show that by 2025, Amazon will host around 9.7 million sellers globally, with a staggering 82% of them using FBA. For this massive system to work, every seller has to follow the same rulebook.

Proper labeling is the foundation of that system. It cuts down on errors and helps sellers maintain an average profit margin of around 21%.

Ultimately, understanding Amazon's label requirements isn't just about following rules. It’s a fundamental skill for running a successful FBA business. The first step is truly understanding what Amazon FBA is and how its logistics machine works. Get the labels right from the start, and you’ll pave a smooth road for your products all the way from your door to your customer's.

FNSKU vs. Manufacturer Barcode

When you’re setting up a shipment to Amazon, you’ll face a question that trips up many new sellers: Should you use an FNSKU or a manufacturer barcode? Your answer directly affects how Amazon tracks your items, who gets credit for sales, and how protected your brand is.

Think of it like this: an FNSKU is a unique name tag for your product that links it only to your seller account. A manufacturer barcode (like a UPC), on the other hand, is more like a generic label for the product model itself, no matter who’s selling it.

The right call really depends on your business model. Let's look into what each one means and the risks involved.

What Is a Manufacturer Barcode?

A manufacturer barcode is the standard UPC (Universal Product Code) or EAN (European Article Number) you see on almost every product in a retail store. It’s the barcode the original creator put on the packaging. If you’re reselling a big brand like Nike or Lego, you’re dealing with its existing UPC.

When you select this option in Seller Central, you’re telling Amazon, "This is a standard product, and I'll use its original barcode." But here’s the major catch: this choice automatically opts you into what Amazon calls commingled inventory.

Commingling means Amazon will store your units of a product right alongside the same units from every other seller using that manufacturer barcode. When a customer buys from you, Amazon just grabs whichever unit is closest to them from this large, shared pile. It might be one you sent in, or it could be from a competitor.

Seller Tip: Commingling inventory can definitely speed up delivery times since Amazon can pull from any warehouse. The trade-off, however, is a big one. You lose all control over the specific item your customer receives. For brand owners, that’s a huge risk.

The Power of the FNSKU

The FNSKU (Fulfillment Network Stock Keeping Unit) is Amazon’s own internal barcode, created specifically for its fulfillment centers. If you choose this option, you’ll need to print these unique FNSKU labels and stick one on every single product you send in, usually right over the original UPC.

This FNSKU is tied only to your account. It’s your product’s unique fingerprint within the Amazon system. This guarantees that when a customer buys from your listing, they get a unit that you specifically sent to the fulfillment center. This is why the FNSKU is the standard choice for most sellers, especially anyone with a private label brand. It keeps your inventory totally separate.

FNSKU vs. Manufacturer Barcode: Which Is Right for You?

So, how do you decide? It really comes down to this: Are you the brand owner building a reputation, or are you reselling products made by someone else?

To make it even clearer, let's break down the pros and cons to help you figure out the best fit for your products.

Ultimately, this table tells a clear story.

For private label sellers, the FNSKU is a must. It’s non-negotiable for protecting your brand. Imagine spending months sourcing a fantastic, high-quality product, only for a customer to get a cheap knockoff from another seller's commingled inventory. That inevitable one-star review lands on your product listing, damaging your brand reputation and hurting sales.

Now, if you're a reseller buying authentic products from an authorized distributor, using the manufacturer barcode can be simpler. It saves you the work of relabeling every single item. But even then, you're still trusting the quality and authenticity of every other seller's inventory in that commingled pile.

Before you make your choice, it pays to have a solid grasp of how these barcodes work. If you're just starting out, taking a few minutes to understand the basics of buying UPC codes for Amazon will give you a much stronger foundation. Knowing the system you’re opting into helps you make the right call from day one.

Your Guide to FBA Product Label Rules

Amazon’s automated fulfillment centers are incredibly efficient, but they don’t have time for guesswork. Every single item needs a label that meets their exact technical standards. If it doesn't, you risk having your shipment flagged, delayed, or even rejected.

Getting these small details right from the start is what separates a smooth, fast check-in from a costly, frustrating problem. Think of it as the passport for your products.

Anatomy of an FBA Label

When you generate an FNSKU label in Seller Central, it’s not just a random barcode. It contains key pieces of information that both Amazon’s robots and warehouse staff rely on to sort your inventory.

Every label must include:

• The FNSKU Barcode: This is the most critical part. It’s the unique identifier that links that specific unit directly back to your seller account.

• Product Name: A simple, short description of the item. This is a quick visual check for warehouse associates to confirm they’re handling the right product.

• Item Condition: The label will clearly state if the item is "New," "Used – Like New," or another condition. This is essential for managing returns and grading used inventory properly.

These three elements work together to make sure your product is identified correctly the moment it arrives at the fulfillment center.

Exact Placement for Scanning

How you stick the label on your product is just as important as what’s on it. Amazon's scanners are very fast, but they aren't magic. One poorly placed label can cause a misread, forcing a human to step in and slowing the whole process.

Here are the hard-and-fast placement rules you can't ignore:

• Cover All Other Barcodes: Your FNSKU label has to completely cover any existing barcodes on the package, like a UPC or EAN. If a scanner sees two different barcodes, it will throw an error.

• Place on a Flat Surface: Always stick the label on a smooth, flat side of the product. Avoid putting it over seams, curves, or corners where it might wrinkle or lift.

• Don't Wrap Edges: The entire label, especially the barcode, must be on a single, flat surface. Wrapping a label around a corner makes it impossible for a scanner to read.

• Use Removable Adhesive: This is more of a customer-friendly practice. Using labels with removable adhesive means your buyers won't damage the packaging when they peel the sticker off.

Pro Tip: Before you box up a huge shipment, do a quick "scan test." Use a barcode scanner app on your phone. If your phone’s camera struggles to read the label, you can bet Amazon's industrial scanners will, too.

Print Quality and Label Stock

The final piece of the puzzle is the physical quality of your label. A smudged, faded, or low-resolution barcode is just as useless as no barcode at all in Amazon’s system.

Your labels must be clear, crisp, and high-contrast. Black ink on a non-reflective white background is the standard. Most serious sellers invest in a thermal printer because they produce sharp, durable labels that won't smudge or fade. Always aim for a print resolution of at least 300 DPI (dots per inch) to ensure scannability.

The paper you use matters, too. Amazon recommends a standard label size around 2 inches by 4 inches, printed on white, removable adhesive paper. Getting this wrong can lead to relabeling fees, which Amazon charges at $0.20 per standard unit and up to $0.40 per oversized unit. Those fees can add up fast and quietly eat away at your profits.

When you're prepping your FBA labels, selecting the right printable sticker paper is just as important as the layout. These choices directly impact whether your inventory gets checked in smoothly or if you start getting preventable fees. While FBA does the heavy lifting with storage and shipping, all the initial prep work is on you. To learn more about this shared responsibility model, check out our guide to Amazon FBA vs. FBM.

Handling Special Labels

Not every product fits neatly into a standard box with a simple FNSKU label. Sooner or later, you'll run into items that need extra attention, like perishables, multi-packs, or case-packed goods. These situations often trip up sellers.

Getting the Amazon label requirements wrong here is a fast track to a rejected shipment. Let's walk through the most common special cases and how to handle them correctly.

Products with Expiration Dates

If you sell anything with a shelf life, from supplements to snacks, you're playing by Amazon's strict rules. Every single unit needs a clear, correctly formatted expiration date, or you risk having your entire inventory thrown out.

Amazon only accepts two formats: MM-DD-YYYY or MM-YYYY. Don't use other formats like DD-MM-YYYY; their system will flag it, and your shipment will get stuck.

• Placement: The expiration date has to be on each individual item. If you’re sending case packs, it needs to be on the outer shipping carton, too.

• Font Size: This is a big one. The date must be in a 36-point font or larger. That's not a suggestion, it’s a rule to make sure it's impossible to miss.

• What to Label: This applies to any topical or consumable product. This includes nutritional supplements, food items, and even certain pet products.

Forgetting this is probably the quickest way to have your inventory sidelined at the fulfillment center. Amazon’s system is all about tracking shelf life to protect customers, so they are very strict about it.

Bundles and "Sold as Set" Items

Bundling products is a great sales strategy, but you have to make it very obvious to the warehouse staff that these items belong together. This is where the simple "Sold as Set" label is essential.

This label does exactly what it says: it tells the person receiving your inventory "Do Not Separate!" Without it, you're risking a warehouse worker opening your bundle and selling the pieces individually.

Seller Story: A friend of mine learned this the hard way. He sent in 100 shampoo and conditioner bundles without a "Sold as Set" sticker. The warehouse team opened every single one and listed them as separate items. It was a huge customer service and inventory nightmare that took weeks to fix.

On top of the FNSKU and the "Sold as Set" sticker, you have to package the items together, usually with shrink-wrap or in a bag, so they function as one unit.

Poly Bags and Suffocation Warnings

Many items need a clear poly bag for protection from dust and moisture. But safety comes first at Amazon. If that bag has an opening of 5 inches or more, you are required to add a suffocation warning. This is a non-negotiable safety measure.

You have two ways to handle this:

1. Print the warning directly on the bag itself.

2. Apply a sticker with the warning text where it can be easily seen.

The warning has to be legible and easy to see. Honestly, the smartest move is to just buy poly bags with the warning already printed on them. It saves a ton of time. This rule is critical for products like apparel, plush toys, or anything else that could be a safety risk.

Don't forget, the FNSKU barcode still needs to be scannable, either through the bag or stuck on the outside of it.

Labeling LTL and Pallet Shipments

As your Amazon business grows, you’ll eventually move from small parcel delivery to freight. Moving your inventory on pallets via Less Than Truckload (LTL) is a major step, but it comes with a completely new set of Amazon label requirements.

You don't want to get this wrong. A mislabeled product is a small headache; a mislabeled pallet can get your entire multi-thousand-dollar shipment rejected at the fulfillment center dock. It’s a costly, frustrating mistake that’s easy to avoid.

Generating Pallet Labels

The good news is that Amazon makes this pretty simple. You'll generate your pallet labels directly within Seller Central as you're creating your shipment plan. After confirming the contents of each box, the workflow will prompt you to print both the individual FBA box ID labels and the master pallet labels.

Don't skip this step. Each pallet requires four identical labels, printed directly from this workflow. These labels are the master key, containing all the information the warehouse needs to check in your entire shipment at once.

Anatomy of a Pallet Label

Think of a pallet label as the passport for your entire freight shipment. It contains all the key data, allowing Amazon’s systems to identify and route your inventory without having to break down the pallet at the receiving dock.

Each label must include:

• Shipment and PO Info: The names and addresses for you (the seller) and the "ship to" destination.

• FBA Shipment ID: The unique barcode and number that identifies your entire shipment plan.

• Pallet and Box Count: Clearly states which pallet this is (e.g., Pallet 1 of 4) and the total number of cartons on it.

• A PDF417 Barcode: This is the required 2D barcode that digitally holds all the essential shipment data for quick scanning.

The physical specs matter just as much as the data. Each label needs to be printed on an 8.5" x 11" sheet. Standard pallets should measure 48" by 40", with a total weight not exceeding 1,500 pounds to ensure they are stable and compatible with Amazon's equipment.

The Four-Sided Rule

This is the golden rule of pallet labeling: four labels for every pallet. The logic is simple: one label must be placed squarely on each of the four sides of the shrink-wrapped pallet.

Why four? It’s all about efficiency. No matter which way a forklift operator approaches your pallet, a scannable label is immediately visible. This saves valuable time off the check-in process and gets your products into inventory faster.

Crucial Tip: Apply the labels vertically, in the top-center of each side. Never place them over a seam in the shrink wrap where they could easily tear or become unreadable. Make sure they're applied flat and smooth, with no wrinkles over the barcodes.

Moving into LTL shipments is a clear sign of serious growth, and it means your operational processes need to be tighter than ever. Flawless pallet labeling is a foundation of smart freight shipping, a key component we cover in our guide to inventory management best practices. Getting this right from the start ensures your bulk shipments arrive and become sellable inventory without any expensive delays.

Common Labeling Mistakes to Avoid

Learning from someone else's mistakes is always cheaper than making them yourself, especially in the world of Amazon FBA. A small labeling error might seem minor, but it can trigger shipment delays, lead to unexpected fees, or even cause your inventory to get lost.

These aren't just hypothetical scenarios; they're daily realities for sellers who overlook the small details. Think of this as your pre-flight checklist. Running through these common issues before you seal your boxes can save you a lot of headaches and protect your profits.

Let's break down the most frequent slip-ups and, more importantly, how to avoid them.

Unreadable Barcodes

This is probably the number one reason shipments get flagged at an Amazon fulfillment center. If a barcode is smudged, faded, or printed with low-quality ink, it’s useless to Amazon's high-speed scanners.

When the system can't get a read, the process stops. An employee has to physically pull your item aside for manual processing, which costs you time and money.

• The Fix: Invest in a thermal printer. It's a game-changer. They use heat to create crisp, durable labels that don’t smudge or fade. When you're buying one, aim for a print resolution of 300 DPI or higher. If you're sticking with an inkjet or laser printer, make sure your ink or toner levels are full and always use high-quality label sheets. A quick scan test with a smartphone app before shipping can save you a ton of trouble.

Placing Labels Over Seams or Curves

It seems like a small thing, but putting a label over a box seam, a curved surface, or wrapping it around a corner makes it impossible for a scanner to read. The scanner needs a flat, continuous line of sight to see the entire barcode. If any part of it is bent or creased, the scan will fail.

• The Fix: Always apply your FNSKU label to the smoothest, flattest part of the product's packaging. Make sure the entire label sits on a single, flat surface. If your product is a cylinder, apply the label vertically (like a flagpole) instead of trying to wrap it around the curve.

Key Takeaway: Amazon’s fulfillment process is a model of speed and automation. Any label placement that requires a human to tilt, turn, or manually key in information creates a bottleneck. A flat, clear label keeps your inventory moving smoothly through the system.

Forgetting to Cover Old Barcodes

If an Amazon scanner sees two different barcodes on one product, like the original UPC from the manufacturer and your new FNSKU, it creates an identity crisis for the system. It doesn't know which code to trust, so it flags the item for manual inspection. This mistake is very common, especially for sellers just getting into retail arbitrage or wholesale.

• The Fix: Your FNSKU label must completely cover any and all other scannable barcodes on the packaging. No part of the old barcode should be visible. Before you ship, do a final check of every unit to make sure only the FNSKU can be seen.

These mistakes can lead to more than just fees; severe or repeated violations can seriously damage your account health. For more on what happens in worst-case scenarios, our guide on what to do if your Amazon account gets suspended provides important insights.

Beyond Amazon's specific rules, it's also helpful to get the basics right from the start. Reviewing common mistakes when ordering labels can help you avoid problems before you even print your first barcode.

Frequently Asked Questions About Amazon Labels

Even when you think you've got the rules down, a few specific questions always seem to pop up. Let's tackle some of the most common things sellers ask about Amazon labels so you can get quick answers.

Can I Use a Thermal Printer for FBA Labels?

Not only can you, but you absolutely should. There’s a reason you’ll hear almost every experienced seller recommend a thermal printer. They produce crisp, high-quality barcodes that won't smudge or fade, ensuring a perfect scan every single time, which is exactly what you need.

Just be sure to pick up a model with a print resolution of 300 DPI (dots per inch) or higher. That'll keep you well within Amazon's quality guidelines.

What Happens if My Label Is Wrong?

Sending a product with a bad label is like throwing a wrench into Amazon's well-oiled machine. When your item arrives at the fulfillment center and can't be scanned, it stops everything for that unit.

The Outcome: In the best-case scenario, the warehouse team will fix it for you by relabeling the item. But they'll charge you an unplanned service fee, usually somewhere between $0.20 to $0.40 per item. This not only delays your inventory from becoming available but also hurts your profits. Worst case? They could reject the whole shipment, and you'll have to pay to get it all sent back.

Do I Need to Label My Shipping Box?

Yes, and this is a big one that trips up new sellers. Every single box you ship into an FBA warehouse needs its own FBA shipping label on the outside. This is a completely different label from the FNSKU barcodes on the products inside the box.

Think of it as the box's passport. You’ll generate this shipping label in Seller Central during the final steps of creating your shipment plan. It tells the warehouse staff exactly which shipment your box belongs to, so it’s a required step.

Should I Print My Own FBA Labels?

For most sellers, printing your own labels is the way to go. It gives you maximum control and is much more cost-effective as your business grows. Once you invest in a thermal printer and start buying labels in bulk, the per-unit cost drops to almost nothing.

However, if you're just starting out or have a very small batch of products, you might consider Amazon's FBA Label Service. They'll apply the FNSKU barcodes for you for a fee per item. It's convenient, but those fees can add up fast once you start to scale.