Big changes are coming to how inventory is stored and fulfilled in the Amazon network. As you probably know, Amazon is officially ending commingling practices.
For years, commingling was a default for many sellers, but the platform is now shifting toward stricter inventory tracking.
This affects awide margin of sellers. From private label Brand Owners to Resellers, this update may fundamentally change how you label and ship your products.
Here is everything you need to know to prepare your inventory in 2026.
In a Seller Central announcement published by Amazon, the company confirmed that stickerless commingled inventory will no longer be supported for inventory shipped on or after March 31, 2026. The update was shared by Amazon’s official News_Amazon account in the Seller Forums and outlines new labeling requirements for Brand Owners and Resellers.
What Was Commingling?
Commingling (often called “Stickerless Commingled Inventory”) allowed Amazon to treat identical products from different sellers as a shared source.
Here’s an example: Suppose you mail a LEGO set to an Amazon fulfillment center in California, and a shopper buys the model, but his address is in New York. Amazon would not move your exact package coast-to-coast as it would take too much time and compromise the fast-shipping service.
So they used commingling. They pulled an “identical” set that a different seller already stored in the New York fulfillment center and sent that box to the buyer. This allowed for faster shipping speeds.
What was the problem with Commingling?
However, it caused massive headaches for some sellers. After all, you were the one who’s responsible for that product, even if it’s not exactly the same package you stored with Amazon.
See where the problem was? If a different seller submitted a counterfeit or damaged item and Amazon shipped it to your customer, you received the bad review and the return, even though your original inventory was perfect.
The case goes both ways. Resellers and scam sellers could take advantage of your inventory in perfect condition, thereby building a “trustworthy” presence in the marketplace.
What Happens Now
With this update, Amazon states that its inventory distribution is now sophisticated enough that it no longer needs to pool inventory to achieve fast delivery.
The New Rules: FNSKUs vs. Manufacturer Barcodes
The most significant impact of this change is on labeling. The requirements now differ significantly depending on whether you own the brand or resell it, a change that affects how Amazon FBA works.
For Brand Owners
When commingling was a thing, brand owners or representatives needed to look for solutions to the problem. They determined that printing additional seller-specific Amazon barcodes (FNSKUs, or Fulfillment Network Stock Keeping Units) on every product protected them from commingling. But it costs money.
- Note: It’s estimated that brand owners spent $600 million in the past year alone on re-stickering.
Now the scenario has changed.
If you are enrolled in Amazon Brand Registry and hold the “Brand Representative” role, this update provides you with greater flexibility. The benefits:
- No Stickers Required: You can continue to use the standard Manufacturer Barcode (UPC, EAN, ISBN) printed on your packaging.
- Virtual Tracking: Amazon will use your manufacturer barcode to track your specific inventory virtually. This means you no longer need to apply FNSKU labels.
For Resellers
If you resell products (arbitrage or wholesale) and are not the registered Brand Representative, your workflow has changed.
- Mandatory Stickers: You can no longer rely on the UPC code on the box. You must apply an FNSKU to every single unit you send in.
- The “X00” Label: These stickers (usually starting with “X00”) indicate that the specific unit belongs to you and no one else.
How to Check Your Inventory Days of Supply (DoS)
With the March 31 deadline approaching fast, you need to know if you are overstocked on inventory that will get affected by the change. You can figure this out by checking your Days of Supply (DoS).
If your DoS is higher than the number of days left until the deadline, you should stop sending stickerless inventory immediately and start prepping your FNSKU labels for future shipments.
The reverse applies if you’re a brand representative and have been printing FNSKUs to differentiate your product from resellers.
Step 1: Navigate to FBA Inventory
Log in to Seller Central and open the main menu. Click on FBA Inventory on the side bar:
You will then see the complete list of your products listed in the FBA Program, with their current status regarding stock levels, shipments in progress, etc.
Step 2: Activate the DoS Column
If you don’t see a column labeled “Days of Supply,” you need to enable it.
Click the Settings icon (gear) on the right side of the dashboard:
In the pop-up window, ensure that Days of Supply (DoS) is checked under the “Column preferences” section.
Step 3: Analyze Your Supply
Look at the Days of Supply (DoS) column for your products.
Total DoS: This estimates how many days your current stock will last based on projected demand.
On-hand DoS: This counts only inventory physically available in the Amazon fulfillment center.
What Happens to Old Inventory?
For brand owners and representatives, Amazon has stated that inventory currently in fulfillment centers or in transit will be allowed to sell through under the old system.
However, after March 31, 2026, resellers without the proper FNSKU stickers will be marked by Amazon as “defective.” This will delay their sales and likely result in extra fees.
Conclusion
The fact that Amazon is ending commingling marks a significant shift in FBA logistics, but the impact depends entirely on your business model. For Brand Owners, this update is a win: it eliminates the time and money of applying extra stickers while ensuring your inventory is virtually tracked via manufacturer barcodes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When does the end on commingling of Amazon start?
The new policy goes into effect on March 31, 2026. After this date, strict labeling requirements apply to all inbound shipments.
As a Brand Owner, do I need to label my products?
If your product has a manufacturer barcode (UPC, EAN), you generally do not need to apply Amazon stickers. Amazon will use “virtual tracking” to attribute that specific unit to your account without a physical FNSKU label.
What happens if my product doesn’t have a UPC or ISBN?
If your product lacks a scannable manufacturer barcode, you must apply an Amazon Barcode (FNSKU) sticker. This rule applies to both Brand Owners and Resellers equally.
Will I be charged low-inventory fees while switching SKUs?
Amazon is waiving low-inventory-level fees at the FNSKU level during the transition period. This allows you to deplete old stock and ramp up new labeled stock without financial penalties.
Stop Wasting Money on FNSKU Labels
For years, you’ve paid to label every single unit just to protect your brand integrity. That ends with this update. This is your New Opportunity to slash fulfillment costs and speed up inventory check-in times—without risking counterfeits.
But the transition isn’t automatic. One wrong setting in Seller Central can leave your new inventory stranded.
We help Brand Owners execute flawless FBA transitions. Fill out the form below to claim your audit. We’ll review your catalog, calculate your specific cutoff dates, and ensure you stop paying for labels the exact moment the rules change.