Commingling practices will end effective March 31, 2026
In March, we’ll end commingling practices across our supply chain and update eligibility criteria for using manufacturer barcodes.
Commingling is when we fulfil customer orders using exact product matches from the closest available inventory in the Amazon fulfilment network, even if that inventory belonged to a different seller, to achieve faster delivery speeds. Now that most sellers maintain inventory levels that keep products close to customers, we can achieve fast delivery without commingling.
The following requirements will go into effect for inventory shipped on or after March 31, 2026:
- Brand owners with the brand representative selling role in Amazon Brand Registry will no longer need to apply Amazon barcode stickers to prevent commingling for products that already have manufacturer barcodes (such as UPC, ISBN). This means more flexibility in how you manage inventory because you will not need to pre-allocate units to Amazon or other channels. For more information, go to How to switch to manufacturer barcodes.
- Resellers (not enrolled in Amazon Brand Registry as a brand representative selling role) will now be required to use Amazon barcode stickers for products even if they have a manufacturer barcode. If you are already using these stickers, you can continue to follow your existing process.
- For products that do not have a manufacturer barcode, both brand owners and resellers will need to use Amazon barcode stickers.
For more information, go to Fulfilment by Amazon barcode choice and labelling FAQ.
Commingling practices will end effective March 31, 2026
In March, we’ll end commingling practices across our supply chain and update eligibility criteria for using manufacturer barcodes.
Commingling is when we fulfil customer orders using exact product matches from the closest available inventory in the Amazon fulfilment network, even if that inventory belonged to a different seller, to achieve faster delivery speeds. Now that most sellers maintain inventory levels that keep products close to customers, we can achieve fast delivery without commingling.
The following requirements will go into effect for inventory shipped on or after March 31, 2026:
- Brand owners with the brand representative selling role in Amazon Brand Registry will no longer need to apply Amazon barcode stickers to prevent commingling for products that already have manufacturer barcodes (such as UPC, ISBN). This means more flexibility in how you manage inventory because you will not need to pre-allocate units to Amazon or other channels. For more information, go to How to switch to manufacturer barcodes.
- Resellers (not enrolled in Amazon Brand Registry as a brand representative selling role) will now be required to use Amazon barcode stickers for products even if they have a manufacturer barcode. If you are already using these stickers, you can continue to follow your existing process.
- For products that do not have a manufacturer barcode, both brand owners and resellers will need to use Amazon barcode stickers.
For more information, go to Fulfilment by Amazon barcode choice and labelling FAQ.
6 replies
Seller_wBo7F0luwBVzG
Does this mean the labelling service is also ending? If we are to send inventory that can no longer be commingled, can we still opt to pay amazon to lavel our products?
Seller_NxopqM8iaEMLb
So is Amazon going to give us resellers with 100s of products an easy way to convert from Manufacturers barcodes to Amazon barcodes? Funny how in the beginning Amazon actually pushed us to list and utilize manufacturer barcodes.
Seller_z01gItPDAuInX
Hello- Im selling my own small business product as generic (working on moving towards branding but it takes considerable effort).
I affix my own GS1 barcodes to my products, and that code is unique and used as the SKU in amazon inventory. Do i still need to apply an amazon barcode?
Seller_1JtWN7OO6rhPF
We received the “Final reminder: Barcode stickers required Mar 31, 2026” email from Amazon today, including a spreadsheet of affected ASINs.
However, we recently obtained Brand Representative status (about one week ago) for several of the brands included in that spreadsheet.
Amazon Brand Registry Support has also confirmed this in writing (Case ID 19703178701 if needed).
Our understanding:
Brand Representatives should be permitted to use manufacturer barcodes (UPC)
The March 31 change should primarily apply to sellers without brand authorization
Our concern:
Despite having Brand Representative status, a number of our listings are still appearing in the “affected” list.
So we are trying to understand:
Is this simply a delay between Brand Registry updates and FBA/inbound systems?
Or are Brand Representatives (who are not the brand owner) still required to switch to FNSKU after March 31?
Context:
We currently have a large LTL shipment (multiple pallets) already in transit to FBA using manufacturer barcodes for these items.
The email states that inventory already in transit should not be impacted — however, the inclusion of these listings in the affected list creates uncertainty around how this will be handled at receiving.
Main question:
Can anyone confirm whether Brand Representative status (non-owner) is sufficient to continue using manufacturer barcodes for FBA inbound after March 31?
Or is FNSKU labeling still required unless you are the actual brand owner?
Appreciate any clarity from sellers who have already navigated this.
