Amazon ended stickerless commingled inventory on March 31, 2026. If a product needs an Amazon barcode and arrives without the correct one, Amazon may treat it as a non-compliant shipment. This can slow down receiving or delay when the product can be sold. It may also lead to extra charges.
Eligible brand owners with the Brand Representative selling role in Amazon Brand Registry can still use manufacturer barcodes in qualifying cases. Resellers need to use FNSKU labels on every unit where required.
In this guide, weโll explain what changed, how the new rules affect brand owners and resellers differently, what to do with stickerless inventory already in FBA, and how FNSKU labeling may affect your costs.
What Was Amazon Stickerless Inventory, and Why Did Amazon End It?
Amazon commingling was a system where identical products from different sellers were stored together inside Amazon fulfillment centers.
Amazon used manufacturer barcodes to identify these products. When a customer placed an order, Amazon could ship the nearest matching unit, even if another seller had originally sent that unit to FBA.
This helped Amazon deliver orders faster, but it also created problems.
For example, another seller could send counterfeit, damaged, expired, or low-quality products into the shared inventory pool. One of those units could then be shipped to a customer who bought from your offer.
This could lead to:
- Returns
- Customer complaints
- Negative reviews
- A-to-Z claims
- Product quality concerns
In simple terms, you could receive a negative review, return, or A-to-Z claim for a product that you never actually handled.
Amazon said its fulfillment network had improved enough to maintain fast delivery without commingling. The new barcode rules also create clearer seller-level inventory attribution: eligible Brand Representatives can continue using manufacturer barcodes, while other sellers must use Amazon barcode stickers. That can improve traceability when product-quality or authenticity problems occur.
The Timeline: What Happened and When
The Amazon commingling policy changed in stages. March 31, 2026 was the main cutoff date.
| Date | What Changed |
|---|---|
| September 2025 | Amazon announced at Accelerate that traditional commingled inventory would end. |
| January 1, 2026 | Amazon ended its FBA prep and item-labeling services for U.S. FBA shipments created on or after January 1, 2026. This was a broader FBA change, not a stickerless-inventory-only rule. Sellers became responsible for preparing and labeling inventory before sending it to Amazon. |
| March 31, 2026 | If your new FBA inventory requires an Amazon barcode, apply the correct FNSKU before sending it to Amazon. Amazon no longer provides FBA prep and item-labeling services for new U.S. shipments, so sellers are responsible for sending inventory with the required preparation and labels. |
Older commingled inventory that is already stored in FBA can continue selling until it runs out. However, sellers should not send new inventory using the old stickerless process if the product now requires an FNSKU.
Brand Owners vs. Resellers: The Requirements Are Completely Different
The March 31 change does not affect every seller in the same way. The requirements depend mainly on whether you own the brand or resell another brandโs products.
| Dimension | Brand Owners (Brand Registry) | Resellers / Non-Brand Owners |
|---|---|---|
| FNSKU labeling required? | Eligible brand owners with the Brand Representative selling role in Amazon Brand Registry can continue using manufacturer barcodes for products that already have them. Products without a manufacturer barcode still require an Amazon barcode. | Yes. Sellers without the Brand Representative role must use Amazon barcode stickers for new FBA inventory, even when the product already has a manufacturer barcode. |
| Why the difference | Eligible brand owners may be allowed to use manufacturer barcodes under Amazonโs virtual tracking rules. Products that require Amazon barcodes still need the correct FNSKU labeling. | Many resellers may sell the same product. Without an FNSKU, Amazon cannot easily connect the unit to the seller who sent it. |
| Brand Registry role required? | The seller must have the Brand Representative selling role for the brand in Amazon Brand Registry. | Without the Brand Representative role, Amazon barcode stickers are required for new FBA inventory. |
| Cost impact | Minimal if you already use an eligible manufacturer barcode and do not need to change your labeling process. | Labeling may add about $0.20-$0.50 per unit. At 5,000 units per month, that could mean about $1,000-$2,500 in extra monthly costs. |
| What to do NOW | Confirm that your selling account has the Brand Representative role for the brand in Amazon Brand Registry. Then verify whether the qualifying product is configured to use a manufacturer barcode. | Make sure all new inbound shipments have the correct FNSKU labels. Let older stickerless inventory already in FBA sell through, but do not send new stickerless inventory. |
| Counterfeit protection | Stronger seller-level tracking helps connect returns and complaints to the inventory source. | Improved, FNSKU labeling links each unit to the seller whose inventory was sent to FBA. This improves traceability and reduces inventory-mixing risk, but it does not remove counterfeit risk completely. |
What to Do if You Still Have Stickerless Inventory in FBA
If new inventory requires an Amazon barcode, apply the correct FNSKU before sending it to FBA. Follow the barcode and shipment-level warnings shown in your current Seller Central workflow if inventory has already been sent with incorrect or missing labels.
If FNSKU issues cause your inventory to become reserved, use our FBA reserved inventory troubleshooting guide to find the cause of the hold.
- Confirm your seller type. Check whether you are a brand owner enrolled in Brand Registry or a reseller.
- Check your current FBA inventory. In Seller Central, go to Manage FBA Inventory and look for products using a manufacturer barcode without an FNSKU.
- Leave older stickerless inventory already in FBA alone. It can continue selling until it runs out. You do not need to recall it just because the deadline has passed.
- Fix all new inbound shipments. If you are a reseller or your product requires an Amazon barcode, make sure every new unit has the correct FNSKU label before you send it to FBA.
- If you are a brand owner, check your FBA barcode setting. Go to FBA Settings โ FBA product barcode preference and check whether your account shows Manufacturer Barcode or Amazon Barcode. If it already shows Amazon Barcode, you are already using FNSKU labels and do not need to change your labeling process.
- Set up your labeling workflow. Ask your manufacturer or prep center to apply the correct labels before the products reach Amazon.
If you are still learning how Amazon handles storage, fulfillment, and seller inventory, our Amazon FBA beginner guide explains the basics.
For full FBA packaging and barcode requirements, use our Amazon FBA packaging requirements guide.
The Cost Impact: What FNSKU Labeling Adds Per Unit
FNSKU labeling adds an ongoing prep cost for resellers.
At around $0.20-$0.50 per unit, 1,000 units may add about $200-$500 per month. For 5,000 units, the added cost may be around $1,000-$2,500 per month.
Include this cost when calculating your product margins.
There are three main ways to handle FNSKU labeling:
- Manufacturer-applied labels: Usually the cheapest option at scale.
- Prep center: Often costs around $0.20-$0.40 per unit.
- In-house labeling: May reduce direct labeling costs, but it becomes harder to manage as your order volume grows.
You can estimate the cost with this simple formula:
Monthly units ร labeling cost per unit = estimated monthly labeling expense
| Monthly Volume | At $0.20 Per Unit | At $0.50 Per Unit |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 units | $200/month | $500/month |
| 5,000 units | $1,000/month | $2,500/month |
Why Brand Owners Should Welcome This Change
For brand owners, the end of Amazon commingling can be a positive change.
Seller-level tracking reduces the risk that another sellerโs counterfeit, damaged, or poor-quality product will cause a return, complaint, or authenticity issue for your listing.
Returns and customer complaints can now be connected more clearly to the seller who supplied the inventory.
Eligible brand owners can also continue using manufacturer barcodes for qualifying products. This can help them avoid unnecessary FNSKU labeling costs.
However, products without a manufacturer barcode still require an Amazon barcode.
For more guidance on inventory accuracy, compliance, and offer performance, see our how to win the Amazon Buy Box guide.
What Sellers Should Do Now
If you need help with FBA compliance, labeling, inventory operations, or marketplace management, learn more about SalesDuoโs Amazon account management services.
Book Your 1:1 Growth Call with SalesDuo.
Frequently Asked Questions About Amazon Commingling
1. Has Amazon Ended Commingled Inventory?
Yes. Amazon ended commingled inventory on March 31, 2026.
Eligible brand owners can still use manufacturer barcodes in certain cases. Resellers need to use an FNSKU label on each unit when an Amazon barcode is required.
2. Do Brand Owners Need FNSKU Labels After the Commingling Change?
No, not in every case. Brand owners with the Brand Representative selling role in Amazon Brand Registry may continue using manufacturer barcodes for qualifying products that already have them. Products without manufacturer barcodes still require Amazon barcode stickers. Sellers without the Brand Representative role must use Amazon barcodes for new FBA inventory.
3. What Happens to Stickerless Inventory Still in Amazon FBA?
Stickerless inventory already stored in Amazon FBA can continue selling until it runs out. You do not need to recall it.
However, do not send new stickerless inventory if your products now require FNSKU labeling.
4. How Much Does FNSKU Labeling Cost Per Unit?
FNSKU labeling usually costs around $0.20 to $0.50 per unit.
The exact cost depends on whether you apply the labels yourself, use a prep center, or ask your manufacturer to do it.
If you sell 5,000 units per month, labeling may add around $1,000 to $2,500 to your monthly prep costs.
About the Author
Meet Mamta Mathe, an Associate Content Writer at SalesDuo who specializes in creating practical, research-backed content for Amazon sellers. She enjoys simplifying complex eCommerce topics and helping brands make smarter growth decisions through clear, actionable insights. Outside of work, she loves reading, exploring new ideas, and staying updated on digital marketing trends.
