How to switch from using Amazon barcodes to virtual tracking
This page describes the methods for switching your preference from using Amazon barcodes for existing product listings to using manufacturer barcodes. Switching your preference will allow you to participate in virtual tracking and send your inventory to fulfilment centres with only the manufacturer barcode.
Learn about the general requirements for changing your preference, how to verify that your products are eligible for virtual tracking, and what to be aware of after you change your preference to manufacturer barcode.
Before you switch to manufacturer barcodes
Not all inventory is eligible for tracking with the manufacturer barcode. Also, Amazon updates product eligibility for this service periodically. To use the manufacturer barcode for tracking, products must meet the eligibility requirements listed on Using FBA virtual tracking.
- For FBA products that already have inventory in a fulfilment centre and that are tracked using an Amazon barcode, you must create a new listing with a new SKU to use the manufacturer barcode.
- Products that have inventory in a fulfilment centre and that are tracked using an Amazon barcode must be sold through or removed using a removal order before the product listing can be switched to using the manufacturer barcode.
- Barcode preference cannot be changed for shipments that have already been created or for inventory that is already in a fulfilment centre. Changes will apply for future shipments only.
How to switch to manufacturer barcodes
Creating a new SKU is the only option available to confirm product eligibility and switch to using the manufacturer barcode for tracking:
Create a new SKU
You can change barcode preferences for individual listings one at a time by creating a new SKU. A new SKU is required because the existing SKU is already associated with inventory in the Amazon Fulfilment Network.
To create a new SKU for an existing listing, follow these steps:
- From the Inventory drop-down menu, select Manage FBA inventory.
- From the Edit drop-down menu to the right of the ASIN, select Add another condition.
- On the offer creation page, enter a new Seller SKU, fill out the remaining required fields and click Save and finish.
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On the Choose barcode type page, select Manufacturer barcode from the drop-down menu and click Save and continue.
Note: If Manufacturer barcode is not available in the drop-down menu, the product may be ineligible for virtual tracking with the manufacturer barcode. You will see more explanations on the Set quantity page if the product is ineligible. - On the Convert to Fulfilled by Amazon page, complete the Add dangerous goods information section, and click Save and continue.
- Click Convert and send inventory, and continue to your shipping plan.
After you switch to manufacturer barcodes
When you create a new offer after you switch to using the manufacturer barcode, information from the previous seller SKU typically won’t apply. The table below summarizes the changes and recommended steps for your new SKU.
| Area affected | Change | Recommended action |
|---|---|---|
| Inventory recommendations | The new SKU will have its own inventory recommendations. | To avoid confusion, consider closing the old SKU’s offer and placing a removal order to have units returned to you. |
| Pricing recommendations | Pricing recommendations will not be available for the new SKU. That’s because certain nudges will show when a product has sold in the past 60 days but not in the past seven days. | We recommend using the past pricing recommendation for the new SKU. |
| Advertising recommendations | Advertising recommendations will not be shown on the new SKU until a certain number of customers have viewed it. | If you received a notification on the old SKU and want to use available promotions, you can apply them to the new SKU. |
| Business prices and quantity discounts | If you are an Amazon Business seller, you get related recommendations, and these might not be immediately available for the new SKU. | Consider applying past recommendations to the new SKU. |
| Inventory planning | Your new and old SKUs will have separate entries under Manage excess inventory, FBA inventory age, and Fix stranded inventory. | Make sure you manage the correct inventory entries. |
| Targeted advertising | Targeted advertising, such as Sponsored Products, won't automatically apply to the new SKU. | Launch targeted advertising for the new SKU. |
| Selling globally | The new SKU will be created only for your home store | If you want to sell globally, you must complete the same process to change the setting in each desired store. Barcode eligibility may vary by store |
