Rules
Amazon FNSKU label requirements in 2026
An Amazon item label must be between 1 × 2 in and 2 × 3 in, printed on removable labels, and show a scannable barcode of the FNSKU, the FNSKU in text, the item name and its condition. Two changes in 2026 put more of that on you: Amazon stopped offering its prep and labeling service on January 1, and on March 31 it stopped commingling, so resellers without brand registry must label every unit.
What goes on the label
| Part | What Amazon expects |
|---|---|
| Size | 1 × 2 in (2.5 × 5.0 cm) up to 2 × 3 in (5.1 × 7.6 cm); 1 × 3 in and 2 × 2 in are also fine |
| Barcode | The FNSKU as a scannable barcode, black on white, nothing printed over it |
| FNSKU text | The code in plain text, e.g. X002QK8V1N (or the ASIN-style code Amazon assigns, starting B0) |
| Item name | The title, trimmed to fit (Amazon’s own PDFs keep the start and the end) |
| Condition | New, Used – Like New, Collectible – Good and so on |
| Labels | Removable adhesive, so customers can peel them off |
Source: Amazon’s item label specification. Prepline follows those published specs; it isn’t affiliated with Amazon and doesn’t claim Amazon’s approval. The test that counts is yours: scan one printed label before you print the batch.
What changed in 2026
January 1: no more FBA prep and labeling service
Amazon announced in July 2025 that it would stop prepping and labeling inbound units for sellers in the US from January 1, 2026 (Supply Chain Dive, Packaging Insights). Sellers who paid Amazon per unit to apply FNSKU stickers now print and apply them themselves.
March 31: commingling ended
At its September 2025 seller conference Amazon said it would end commingled (“stickerless”) inventory. From March 31, 2026, resellers without brand registry must put an FNSKU on every unit; units that arrive without one can be treated as defective (PPC Land, Modern Retail). For online and retail arbitrage sellers that means many more labels per week.
Mistakes that get units flagged
- Old barcodes left visible. Cover the manufacturer UPC so the warehouse scans the FNSKU.
- Labels scaled down. Printing a 30-up sheet layout onto 2 × 1 rolls with “fit to page” shrinks the bars until scanners give up.
- Wrong condition. A used item labelled New is a listing problem, not just a label problem. The condition on the label comes from your listing.
- Labels on curved or seam areas, where the barcode bends and can’t be read in one pass.
Questions
What is the minimum FNSKU label size?
1 × 2 in (2.5 × 5.0 cm). The maximum for item labels is 2 × 3 in. Avery 5167 (1/2 × 1-3/4 in) is too small for FNSKU labels.
Do FNSKU labels have to be removable?
Yes. Amazon’s item label specification calls for removable adhesive, so customers can peel them off.
Do I still need FNSKU labels in 2026?
More than before. Amazon stopped labeling for sellers on January 1, 2026, and since March 31, 2026 resellers without brand registry must label every unit because commingling ended.
Can I print FNSKU labels on a thermal printer?
Yes. Direct thermal labels are the most common choice. Use a PDF sized to the label and print at 100% scale.
Updated November 9, 2026