This page describes the methods for switching your preference from using Amazon barcodes for existing product listings to using manufacturer barcodes. Switching your preference will allow you to participate in virtual tracking (commingling) and send your inventory to fulfilment centres with only the manufacturer barcode.
Learn about the general requirements for changing your preference, how to verify that your products are eligible for virtual tracking, and what to be aware of after you change your preference to manufacturer barcode.
Not all products are eligible for virtual tracking with the manufacturer barcode. Also, Amazon updates product eligibility for this service periodically. Before you change your preference to manufacturer barcode, review the eligibility requirements listed on Use virtual tracking to commingle inventory.
Three options are available to confirm product eligibility and switch to using the manufacturer barcode for tracking:
Change listings in bulk
You can view and change listings in bulk by generating an Excel file with eligibility details for your existing inventory, along with instructions on how to update and upload the file to convert your eligible offers.
To convert listings in bulk, follow these steps:
Send/replenish inventory workflow
You can change individual, eligible offers to use manufacturer barcodes in your Send/replenish inventory shipment creation workflow. A notification on the Set quantity page shows which offers are eligible for virtual tracking using the manufacturer barcode.
To change eligible offers from using an Amazon barcode to the manufacturer barcode, click on Convert and follow the on-screen instructions.
Create a new SKU
You can also change barcode preferences for individual listings one at time by creating a new SKU. A new SKU is required because the existing SKU is already associated with inventory in the Amazon fulfilment network.
To create a new SKU for an existing listing, follow these steps:
On the Choose barcode type page, select Manufacturer barcode from the drop-down menu and click on Save and continue.
When you create a new offer after you switch to using the manufacturer barcode, information from the previous seller SKU typically won’t apply. The table below summarises the changes and recommended steps for your new SKU.
Area affected | Change | Recommended Action |
---|---|---|
Inventory recommendations | The new SKU will have its own inventory recommendations. | To avoid confusion, consider closing the old SKU’s offer and placing a removal order to have units returned to you. |
Pricing recommendations | Pricing recommendations will not be available for the new SKU. That’s because certain nudges will show when a product has sold in the past 60 days but not in the past seven days. | We recommend using the past pricing recommendation for the new SKU. |
Advertising recommendations | Advertising recommendations will not be shown on the new SKU until a certain number of customers have viewed it. | If you received a notification on the old SKU and want to use available promotions, apply them to the new SKU. |
Business prices and quantity discounts | If you are an Amazon Business seller, you receive related recommendations, and these may not be immediately available for the new SKU. | Consider applying past recommendations to the new SKU. |
Inventory planning | Your new and old SKUs will have separate entries under Manage Excess Inventory, FBA Inventory Age and Fix Stranded Inventory. | Be sure to manage the correct inventory entries. |
Targeted advertising | Targeted advertising, such as Sponsored Products, will not automatically apply to the new SKU. | Launch targeted advertising for the new SKU. |
ASINs in the programme | Converted ASINs may no longer be eligible for Seller Fulfilled Prime and FBA Small and Light. | Check eligibility requirements and enrol products as appropriate. |
Selling globally | The new SKU will be created only for your home store. | If you want to Sell Globally, you must complete the same process to change the setting in each desired store. Barcode eligibility may vary by store. |