Amazon FNSKU Explained: The Difference Between FNSKU, SKU and ASIN
If you are an Amazon seller, then you have probably heard the term FNSKU before. But what does it mean? And what is the difference between FNSKU, SKU and ASIN? In this blog post, we will explain everything you need to know about Amazon FNSKUs.
What is an Amazon FNSKU?
An Amazon FNSKU (Fulfilment Network Stock Keeping Unit) is a unique barcode that is used to track inventory for products that are sold on Amazon. It is different from an SKU (stock keeping unit) or an ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number) in that it can only be used on products that are sold on Amazon. It’s a scannable barcode used in the amazon fulfillment process.
FNSKUs are for Amazon FBA merchants only since it’s a code that’s used to keep track of items in Amazon’s fulfillment centers. You don’t have to be concerned about FNSKUs if you’re fulfilling orders yourself (FBM).
When you create an Amazon listing, you will need to provide an FNSKU for each product. You can create and manage your FNSKUs through the Amazon Sellers Central dashboard. All items you ship to Amazon must be accompanied by the FNSKU label.
Why do I need an Amazon FNSKU code?
It happens quite often that the same product is sold by many sellers. The FNSKU code is used by Amazon to track FBA inventory in Amazon’s fulfillment centers and to match inventory to each merchant.
When an order is placed, Amazon will use the FNSKU barcode to locate the product and ship it to the customer. This code allows Amazon to distinguish products in the warehouse between different merchants offering the same item and associate the sale of the product to the correct seller.
How do I get an FNSKU code?
You can create your own FNSKU codes through the Amazon Seller Central dashboard. Once you have created your account and logged in, you will be able to create and manage your FNSKU barcodes from the “Inventory” tab. Click on the “Add a Product” button and you will be prompted to enter your FNSKU. From there you can print FNSKU labels. The Amazon barcodes must be attached to the product packaging.
FNSKU Barcodes
FNSKU barcodes are labels that contain the FNSKU code and are used to track inventory in Amazon’s fulfillment centers. These barcodes must be printed on label sheets and affixed to your products before sending them to Amazon.
You can purchase label sheets from Amazon or from a third-party vendor. Once you have your label sheets, you will need to print the barcodes and affix them to your products.
What is a SKU?
A SKU (stock keeping unit) is a unique number that is used to identify and track products. It can be used for any type of product, including those that are not sold on Amazon.
SKUs are not specific to Amazon and can be used by any seller who wants to track their inventory. When you create an item in your inventory, you will need to create a SKU for it. You can create and manage your SKUs through the Seller Central dashboard.
The main difference between an FNSKU and an SKU is that an FNSKU is associated with the product and seller. It can only be used on products that are sold through Amazon fulfillment center, whereas a SKU can be used on products that are sold through other channels.
The main benefit of using SKU’s
SKUs allow you to track your inventory across multiple channels. If you sell on Amazon, eBay, and your own website, you can use the same SKU for all three platforms. This makes it easier to keep track of your inventory levels and ensures that you never oversell a product.
What is an ASIN?
An ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number) is a unique identifier that is used to track products on Amazon. It is the same as an SKU, but it can only be used for products that are sold on Amazon. ASINs are assigned to products, not sellers. That means that you will share the same ASINs as other Amazon merchants selling the same product.
ASINs are specific to Amazon and can only be used by sellers who sell their products on Amazon. You will need to provide an ASIN for each product you list on Amazon. You can create and manage your ASINs through the Amazon Seller dashboard.
If you are selling products that are already available on Amazon, you can use the ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number) to track the inventory levels. If you are selling products that are not available on Amazon, you can use the SKU (stock keeping unit).
The main difference between an FNSKU and an ASIN is that an FNSKU is associated with the product and seller. It can only be used on products that are sold on Amazon, whereas an ASIN can only be used for products that are sold on Amazon.com. ASINs and SKUs can be used interchangeably.
So, what’s the difference?
FNSKU is a unique identifier that is used to track inventory for products that are sold on Amazon. It is unique for every seller and product group.
SKU – is an identifier that is used to track inventory for products. It can be used for any type of product, including those that are not sold on Amazon.
ASIN – is a unique identifier that is used to track items on Amazon. It is the same as an SKU, but it can only be used for products that are sold on Amazon
Read our Amazon FBA quick start guide here.
What if your product doesn’t have a FNSKU?
If your product doesn’t have an FNSKU, you can create one through the Amazon Seller Central dashboard. Once you have created your account and logged in, you will be able to create and manage your FNSKU barcodes from the “Inventory” tab. Click on the “Add a Product” button and you will be prompted to enter your FNSKU. From there you can print FNSKU labels. The Amazon barcodes must be attached to the product packaging.
You can also generate an ASIN for your product if it doesn’t have one already. To do this, go to the Amazon Seller Central dashboard and click on the “Add a Product” button. You will be prompted to enter the ASIN, product name, and product category. Once you have entered this information, you can click on the “Generate ASIN” button. Amazon will then generate an ASIN for your product.
If you are selling products that are already available on Amazon, you can use the ASIN to track the inventory levels. If you are selling products that are not available on Amazon, you can use the SKU. The main difference between an FNSKU and an ASIN is that an FNSKU is associated with the product and seller. It can only be used on products that are sold on Amazon, whereas an ASIN can only be used for products that are sold on Amazon.com. ASINs and SKUs can be used interchangeably.
You can also use the FNSKU to track your product’s inventory levels on other channels, such as eBay and your own website. The main benefit of using SKUs is that they allow you to track your inventory levels across all channels from one central location. This can be helpful if you sell your products on multiple channels and want to avoid overselling a product.
Key points:
-An FNSKU is a unique identifier that is used to track inventory for products that are sold on Amazon. It is unique for every seller and product group.
-You can create and manage your FNSKUs through the Amazon Seller Central dashboard.
-SKU is an identifier that is used to track inventory for products. It can be used for any type of product, including those that are not sold on Amazon.
-The main difference between an FNSKU and a SKU is that an FNSKU can only be used on products that are sold on Amazon, whereas a SKU can be used on products that are sold through other channels.
-You will need to provide FNSKU barcodes for each product when you create an Amazon listing.
-ASIN is a unique identifier that is used to track items on Amazon. It is the same as an SKU, but it can only be used for products that are sold on Amazon
-You can create and manage your ASINs through the Amazon Central dashboard
To find out more about Amazon required barcodes visit the amazon seller central here.
Final thoughts
Product packaging labels are just one part of the equation when it comes to product fulfillment. In order to stay organized and efficient, it’s important to understand the difference between an Amazon FNSKU, SKU, and ASIN. By doing so, you can be sure that you are using the right code for each product and tracking your inventory levels in the most effective way possible.
If you have an Amazon pending order read this article.
