Your Amazon product labels must now meet stricter compliance standards as of January 1, 2026, since Amazon no longer provides FBA labeling services in the U.S. Proper labeling ensures your inventory moves smoothly through fulfillment centers, avoiding delays, fees, or rejections. A single misstep - like an unreadable barcode - could cost you up to $0.40 per unit in manual processing fees, adding up to $400 per pallet. Here's what you need to know:

• Label Placement: Place FNSKU labels on the largest flat surface, avoiding edges, seams, or curves. For polybags, labels must be on the outside.

• Label Content: Use high-resolution (300 DPI) thermal printers for scannable barcodes. Cover all original barcodes completely, and include expiration dates for perishables.

• Scannability: Maintain a "quiet zone" of 0.25 inches around barcodes and test labels before shipping.

Starting March 31, 2026, Amazon will no longer commingle inventory, requiring resellers to apply FNSKU labels to all units unless enrolled in Brand Registry. Non-compliant shipments risk rejection, disposal, or increased defect fees (up to $5.72 per bulky item). Follow these steps to protect your profits and ensure compliance.

How to Package & Label Your Amazon FBA Shipments | Rules & Requirements

Label Placement Checklist

Amazon FBA Label Placement Guide: Correct vs Incorrect Methods

Getting your FNSKU label placement right is key to ensuring Amazon's scanners can read it without issues. Following these guidelines will help you avoid delays, manual processing, and extra FBA fees.

Place Labels on the Largest Surface

Always place your FNSKU label on the largest flat surface of your packaging. This keeps the barcode flat and easy for Amazon's scanners to read. Avoid seams, curves, corners, or openings - these spots can cause the barcode to wrinkle, tear, or become unreadable.

Leave at least 0.25 inches of space between the label's edge and the package edge. This "quiet zone" ensures the barcode is isolated for scanning. For cylindrical items like bottles, pick the flattest area to reduce curvature that could distort the barcode.

Finally, make sure the label is on the outer packaging, where it remains visible. This attention to detail is as critical as optimizing your product listings for search performance.

Keep Labels Facing Outward on Packaging

If your product is wrapped in polybags, bubble wrap, or shrink wrap, always place the FNSKU label on the outside. Labels under protective layers can’t be scanned, forcing Amazon to unwrap and relabel your inventory - at your expense.

"The barcode must be the only visible barcode on the product's outer packaging. Use it to completely cover the original manufacturer barcode... Don't just try to strike through the old one with a marker; it has to be fully obscured." - Clickstera

For transparent polybags, smooth out the material before applying the label to avoid wrinkles that could interfere with scanning. Also, avoid glossy or reflective surfaces, as glare can disrupt laser scanners.

Don't Wrap Labels Around Edges

Never place labels around corners or edges. A bent label can distort the barcode, making it unreadable. Plus, labels on edges are more likely to peel, tear, or get damaged during transit.

Before shipping, test your labels by scanning them with a handheld scanner or smartphone app. This quick step can catch placement errors early and save you from costly issues at the fulfillment center.

Cover Original Barcodes Completely

Make sure to fully cover any existing manufacturer barcodes with your FNSKU label. If Amazon’s scanner picks up the wrong barcode, your product could be flagged for errors, leading to relabeling fees. Simply crossing out the old barcode with a marker isn’t enough - it must be completely covered.

The only exception is for stickerless commingled inventory, which requires specific enrollment in Seller Central. For most sellers, covering the original barcode is a must.

Label Content Checklist

Once you've confirmed that your labels are placed correctly, it's time to ensure the content on them meets all compliance standards. This checklist will help you verify that your labels are clear, compliant, and ready for efficient scanning.

Include FNSKU Barcode Prominently

The FNSKU barcode is non-negotiable for proper labeling. To ensure it's scannable:

• Print the barcode at 300 DPI or higher in black on white, matte stock.

• Stick to standard label sizes, such as 1" x 2" for smaller items and 2" x 3" for larger products.

• Always use the PDF label file from Seller Central. Avoid resizing or using screenshots, as this can distort the barcode.

• For best results, print using a thermal printer like a Rollo or Zebra. These printers produce crisp, smudge-resistant barcodes. Avoid inkjet printers, as they often lead to blurry prints.

Display Product Name Clearly

The product name should be easy to read and must match the title on your Amazon listing exactly. This prevents confusion and ensures consistency across listings and inventory.

Indicate Product Condition

Make sure the product's condition is clearly stated on the label. Use terms like New, Used, Refurbished, or Collectible. This detail helps avoid fulfillment errors and ensures customers receive the correct item. Implementing listing optimization hacks can further improve how your products are categorized and handled. Missing or unclear condition indicators can lead to manual reviews by Amazon, delaying your inventory's processing.

Add Expiration Dates for Perishables

If you're selling perishable items like food, supplements, or topicals, an expiration date is mandatory. Keep these guidelines in mind:

• Use the format MM-DD-YYYY or MM-YYYY, and include a prefix like EXP, BEST BY, or USE BY.

• Print the expiration date in a font size of at least 36 points for easy readability.

• Items must have at least 90 days of shelf life remaining when they arrive at the fulfillment center. Products with less than 50 days left will be removed from active listings automatically. Regularly check your inventory to avoid issues.

Finally, confirm that your labels are scannable and easily visible to ensure smooth processing.

Scannability and Visibility Checklist

When it comes to label content, it's not just about what’s printed - it’s about ensuring those labels can actually be scanned in fulfillment centers. Even the most perfectly printed label is useless if it can’t be read by a scanner.

Maintain White Space Around Barcodes

Barcodes need breathing room to work effectively. This "quiet zone" ensures the barcode stands out from nearby text or graphics. Here's what to keep in mind:

• Leave 0.25 inches of white space on the left and right of the barcode.

• Add 0.125 inches of white space above and below the barcode.

• Position the label at least 0.25 inches away from any edge of the packaging to avoid issues like wrapping or cutting.

If you're printing labels from Seller Central PDFs, set your printer scaling to 100%. Scaling adjustments can shrink the quiet zone and make the barcode unreadable. Also, print at a resolution of 300 DPI or higher to ensure sharp edges and clear spacing. For guidance on where to place labels, check the Label Placement Checklist.

Use High-Quality, Removable Labels

The quality of your label material is just as important as the printed content. Opt for matte white, non-reflective label stock with removable adhesive to avoid glare or residue. Thermal printers, such as Rollo or Zebra models, are the best choice for printing FBA labels. Unlike inkjet printers, thermal printers don’t use liquid ink, so there’s no risk of smudging or fading.

"Thermal printers are the gold standard for FBA labeling. They use heat to create the image, which means no ink or toner to smudge or fade." – Clickstera

Starting January 1, 2026, Amazon no longer offers FBA prep or labeling services in the U.S., making sellers fully responsible for label quality. Labels must remain legible for at least 24 months, and thermal printing helps achieve this durability. After choosing the right label stock, test its performance to ensure it meets these standards.

Test Labels for Scannability

Before sealing your shipping cartons, scan a sample label from each SKU directly on its final packaging. This helps identify potential problems like cropping, stretching, smudging, or glare. Also, make sure your FNSKU label completely covers any original manufacturer barcodes to avoid scanning interference from leftover "noise."

Regular testing ensures your labels are functional and error-free. To maintain print quality, clean and replace printer heads as needed. These small steps can make a big difference in ensuring your labels meet fulfillment center requirements.

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Mistakes in labeling can be costly - both in time and money. A single misprinted label can cost $0.40 per unit, which adds up to $400 for a 1,000-unit pallet. Plus, labeling errors can delay inventory processing, creating headaches for sellers. And now that Amazon has stopped offering FBA prep and labeling services in the U.S. (as of January 1, 2026), sellers are entirely responsible for getting it right the first time.

The good news? Most labeling mistakes are predictable and easy to fix. Below, you'll find the most common errors sellers make, along with their impact and practical solutions.

Mistake vs. Fix Table

For more detailed placement and content guidelines, refer to the earlier checklists.

One of the most frequent culprits is poor print quality. Thermal printers are a game-changer here - they eliminate smudging issues since they don’t use liquid ink. Another common problem? Failing to fully obscure the original UPC barcode, which can confuse scanners and misroute inventory. A little extra attention to these details can save you a lot of trouble down the line.

Compliance Requirements for 2026

Starting January 1, 2026, Amazon officially discontinued its in-house prep and labeling services. This means you can no longer rely on Amazon to handle tasks like applying FNSKU labels, poly-bagging items, or performing any other prep work at their fulfillment centers. Every single unit you send must now be FBA-ready to avoid shipment rejection. These changes build on earlier labeling rules, adding stricter guidelines and introducing higher fees for non-compliance.

Additionally, beginning March 31, 2026, Amazon will no longer commingle identical inventory from different sellers. Barcode requirements will now depend entirely on whether you’re enrolled in Brand Registry. If you’re a brand owner with a "Brand Representative" role, you can continue using manufacturer barcodes (UPC/EAN) without applying FNSKU stickers. However, if you’re a reseller or not part of Brand Registry, you’ll need to apply Amazon FNSKU barcode stickers to every unit, even if the manufacturer barcode is already present.

Shipments that arrive after these deadlines and fail to meet compliance standards will be marked as defective. Non-compliant shipments may be rejected, returned, or disposed of at your expense. It’s important to note that improperly labeled units won’t qualify for FBA reimbursements if they’re lost or damaged. Inbound defect fees have also increased significantly, now ranging from $0.32 to $1.74 per unit for standard items (up from $0.02–$0.07 in 2025). For bulky items, fees can climb as high as $5.72 per unit.

Amazon has also tightened its label placement rules. Labels must now be applied strictly on flat surfaces to ensure they are fully scannable. Labels placed on uneven surfaces will be considered unscannable and subject to defect fees. For polybags, any dimension exceeding 18 inches must now include ventilation holes to prevent air buildup during storage.

To comply with these updated requirements, review and adjust your current labeling and prep processes. If you’re part of Brand Registry, verify your role in Seller Central under the "Build your brand" section. Resellers should update their prep systems to include FNSKU labeling for all units. Some sellers have found success by partnering with third-party logistics (3PL) providers or shifting prep tasks to their manufacturers. For example, a mid-size electronics seller reduced rejection rates and avoided fees by implementing stricter pre-shipment checks.

Conclusion

Getting Amazon labeling right is crucial for protecting your profits and ensuring smooth inventory management. With Amazon set to discontinue its prep services on January 1, 2026, the responsibility for proper labeling falls entirely on you. A single mistake - like an unscannable label - can result in rejection fees, shipment delays, or even inventory processing setbacks.

Take this as an example: one pallet with faulty labels could cost up to $400 in fees. Beyond these immediate penalties, poor labeling can negatively impact your Inventory Performance Index (IPI) score, which could lead to storage limits and reduced search visibility. Considering that around 82% of active Amazon sellers use FBA, mastering the art of proper labeling is essential to staying competitive.

To avoid these pitfalls, focus on three key areas:

• Placement: Ensure labels are on flat surfaces and away from edges.

• Content: Make sure FNSKUs are clear and original barcodes are fully covered.

• Scannability: Use thermal printers with at least 300 DPI resolution and maintain proper quiet zones.

Always test your labels with a scanner before shipping and print directly from Seller Central PDFs to ensure compliance.

"When labels are accurate and readable, FCs [Fulfillment Centers] receive faster, customers understand the product, and your return rate stays low." - Gorto Freight

Accurate labeling isn’t just a necessity - it’s an advantage. It speeds up inventory receiving, ensures precise tracking, and guarantees customers get exactly what they expect, every time.

For more detailed Amazon tips and tailored solutions, check out eStore Factory.

FAQs

What’s changing on January 1, 2026, for FBA labeling?

Starting January 1, 2026, Amazon will no longer provide FBA prep and labeling services. This means sellers will need to handle all preparation and labeling tasks themselves before sending inventory to Amazon fulfillment centers. To avoid shipment delays or complications, sellers must ensure their products fully comply with Amazon's labeling requirements.

Do I need FNSKU labels on every unit after March 31, 2026?

Starting March 31, 2026, resellers who aren't part of Amazon's Brand Registry will need to attach FNSKU labels to every unit they sell. This rule applies even if the product already comes with a manufacturer barcode.

What’s the fastest way to check label scannability before shipping?

The fastest way to verify if a label is scannable is by printing a sample and testing it with a barcode scanner or a smartphone app designed for scanning. This simple step ensures the label is printed correctly, easy to read, and functional, allowing you to catch any problems before committing to mass printing or shipping.

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