Are you looking for What is an Amazon ASIN number? We have prepaid a detailed guide on Amazon ASIN and other codes. In this article, we will take a look at all the important codes and abbreviations an Amazon seller should be aware of and what they mean.

Amazon currently has more than 2 million sellers and sells over 12 million products. Amazon utilizes a variety of barcodes to track orders accurately and prevent supply chain chaos as its community continues to grow. It is imperative that you understand what all these barcodes mean, and how to use them correctly, in order to run your Amazon business in a successful way.

To make learning about the various codes an easy task, the importance of learning them should be approached systematically. Knowing and understanding different codes can be quite challenging since each has a different function and purpose. In addition, there are global barcodes that are used worldwide, as well as unique barcodes used exclusively by Amazon.

What is an Amazon ASIN number?

ASIN is an Amazon Standard Identification Number.

Amazon ASIN codes are automatically assigned to each listing you create on Amazon.

Thus, listings or products are often referred to as ASINs. ASINs always start with “B0” and are ten digits long. Amazon ASIN codes identify a product or listing on its site, and you can find them on the item’s product details page. An ASIN is created for all products when they are added to Amazon.

Codes for Amazon products

Due to the fact that Amazon sells millions of products, it’s no surprise that they have created their own internal barcodes to keep track of them – ASIN, FNSKU, and SKU. Identifying and categorizing products quickly and accurately is essential for ensuring a smooth, efficient supply chain, which can only be accomplished through such codes. Furthermore, these codes contribute to high customer satisfaction levels, since customers get what they ordered.

I hope this offers your query to What is an Amazon ASIN number.

What is an FNSKU?

FNSKU is a Fulfillment Network Stock Keeping Unit.

Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA) listings are assigned an FNSKU. You should supply Amazon with an FNSKU barcode for every unit you send in since this allows Amazon to be able to track where the inventory has come from.

A mistake on one of these could lead to a lot of headaches, including sending the wrong product to customers. Make sure these are complete and accurate. This can result in negative reviews and negative feedback against your seller account as well as damage to the listing.

In addition, FNSKUs must start with “X0” and contain ten alphanumeric digits. When your FNSKU labels do not begin with “X0”, you are about to send inventory to Amazon, and you need to fix it immediately and correct the barcode before any issue arises.

What is an SKU?

SKU is a Stock Keeping Unit.

It is the only identification number that identifies a seller, you can use to identify your product, and is different for each marketplace. It is a unique number that identifies you, as the seller. Some sellers offer different packaging for different SKUs on different marketplaces for the same product (ASIN). Despite being able to create their own SKU within Amazon, and possessing their own SKU labeling and tracking system. The concept of SKUs cannot be attributed exclusively to Amazon and may be used by other inventory tracking systems as well.

SKUs are not changeable once they are created, and Amazon will randomly create an SKU for your listing if you do not enter one, so make sure you choose this carefully. If you resend the same shipment to Amazon, you may create a new SKU, but the inventory will have a new offering.

Universal standard codes

In addition to Amazon, universal barcodes are used globally in many other businesses. Even so, they remain very important to Amazon sellers for finding products quickly and accurately in an extensive database. Let’s learn what are some important universal standard codes.

What is a GTIN?

GTIN is a Global Trade Item Number.

The Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) is an identification code for-trade items created by GS1 – Global Standards 1. These codes are used to identify items within databases. The number is usually entered by scanning a barcode on the product, which is either owned by a retailer, manufacturer, collector, or researcher.

The uniqueness and universality of an identifier facilitate cross-referencing between products in one database and those in another, especially when the databases are separated by organizational groups.

What is a UPC?

UPC is a Universal Product Code.

In retail stores and online marketplaces worldwide, UPCs are used to identify products, and no two UPCs are identical. Most products must have a UPC before they can be sold on Amazon, according to Amazon Seller Central.

UPCs have 12 digits and are unique to a single product, so scanning a barcode or examining a UPC easily identifies each product. There are some countries that require that sellers provide UPC barcodes for each product they sell. To be clear though, if 1000 units of the same product are being sold, there is no need for 1000 different UPCs, you only need one, and that one label goes on all 1000 units which are similar.

What is an ISBN?

ISBN is an International Standard Book Number.

The new generation of Amazon sellers may be surprised to learn that when Amazon initially started out in 1994, the only products they could sell were books! As a result, ISBNs were among the first barcodes you would see on Amazon at that time. Each book published around the world has its own ISBN.

There are two types of ISBNs: 10 and 13. After January 1, 2007, all ISBNs have 13 digits. ISBNs are typically printed on the back cover of books. Self-publishing on Amazon, which issues ISBNs automatically for each book published on their platform, is the same as self-publishing with a publisher.

What is an EAN?

EAN is a European Article Number.

UPCs look similar to European Article Numbers, but the difference is that European Article Numbers have 13 digits instead of 12. The country of issue or type of retail is indicated on the EAN code by the addition of a digit. EAN barcodes are unique to a single product, just like UPCs.

Additional product codes

MPNs and IPNs are two additional codes you may encounter as an Amazon seller. Both of these codes correspond to part numbers, but we can distinguish them according to how they are assigned.

What is an MPN?

Manufacturer Part Numbers are known as MPNs. MPNs, or manufacturer part numbers, are alphanumeric values that are assigned by the manufacturer to identify a product in the same line of products.

You may also consider this the catalog number of your supplier. Your supplier will be able to identify your product without confusion when you refer directly to the catalog numbering system of the supplier. You help your supplier understand what you are trying to order if you both speak the same language.

What is an IPN?

IPN stands for Internal Part Number.

Keeping track of your inventory is made easier using internal numbering systems. The numbering system can be assigned by establishing a specific naming convention that helps make identifying your products easier.

Do Amazon sellers need to know any other codes?

Amazon is primarily identified by these codes. These codes are used at both a local and global level, as described above in each description. The codes above are important if you are planning on selling on Amazon. So yes, you should know What is an Amazon ASIN number and others associated with it and how it affects you.

FAQ’s

Can you buy ASIN codes for Amazon?

No. There is no need to buy ASIN codes. A product’s ASIN has generated automatically. Adding a completely new product to Amazon’s catalog will require you to generate a new ASIN. Typically, brands and manufacturers are in charge of creating ASINs.

Are there any Amazon duplicate ASIN codes?

When ASINs are duplicated, customers have a hard time finding products and making purchases. Amazon prohibits the creation of duplicate ASINs.

The Potential Duplicates page lets you inspect ASINs in your inventory that matches other ASINs on Amazon, which avoids suppression. You can accept or reject it as a duplicate.

Following these steps will prevent ASINs identified as potential duplicates from being suppressed:

In Seller Central, go to Inventory > Manage Inventory.
Go to the top of the page and click Potential Duplicates.
An ASIN can be reviewed by clicking the Duplicate Review button.

Take a look at your ASIN’s potential duplicate following the instructions at the top of the page.

Can you get in trouble for selling on Amazon without ASIN codes?

Yes. You can’t sell without ASIN on Amazon. Having an ASIN is essential for selling on Amazon. When you add a product to an Amazon listing, the ASIN is generated automatically. The seller has the option of listing their product on Amazon if they don’t have UPC/EAN codes. It is a free service called GTIN Exemption. Amazon offers GTIN Exemption for sellers without a UPC/EAN code for listing their products.

Where can you get ASINs for gated categories on Amazon?

New sellers are targeted by Amazon with many restrictions. This type of restricted market on Amazon is called a Gated Category. You just have to know what products and brands are not allowed to be sold on Amazon to work around the gated categories. Below is a list of Amazon gated ASIN codes and categories a new seller should know.

Motorsports & Automotive
Coins for collection
Collectibles from the entertainment industry
Fine Art
Gift Cards
Jewelry
DVDs & music
Major home appliances
Collectibles related to sports
Video Streaming Players
DVDs, Blu-rays, and Video

Selling in these categories is not impossible, but Amazon requires approval and meeting certain conditions before you are allowed to sell there.

Where can I find ASINs for jewelry products?

When it comes to selling fine jewelry on its platform, Amazon has stringent rules and requirements. Before you can get Amazon ASIN codes for precious metals and jewelry, you need to meet certain requirements.

A seller needs to meet the following requirements.

Consider upgrading to a Professional Selling Plan if you haven’t already done so. Until you stop selling jewelry on the platform, this plan must be maintained.
Fine jewelry is not available on Amazon for novice sellers. Amazon sellers must have at least 12 months of experience selling on the platform.
To be eligible to sell fine jewelry on Amazon, you need at least one brick-and-mortar store and $50,000 in annual revenue at Amazon.
Prior to applying, make sure that your account is in excellent shape. An application for fine jewelry will be rejected when the defect rate exceeds 1%, the cancellation rate exceeds 2.5%, and the shipping date is more than 4% late.

Conclusion

What is an Amazon ASIN number? Amazon practices different barcodes to track specific store orders to avoid supply chain chaos as its community continues to grow. ASIN and other useful codes mentioned in this article are very important to understand if you are a new seller on Amazon. Any misplacement of these codes or generating wrong can create problems for sellers which can take a long time to resolve.

Touseef Riaz

Touseef Riaz is a technology analyst and provides optimal technology solutions for retail, e-commerce, and health care sectors. He also helps small to midsize e-commerce businesses and brands build a successful online marketplace strategy via technology.