What is an Amazon Asin Number? Amazon Product Codes a New Operation Needs to Know
Amazon currently has over 2 million sellers selling over 12 million products. As the community continues to grow, Amazon utilizes a variety of barcodes to accurately track orders and prevent supply chain chaos. You must understand what all these barcodes mean and how to use them properly in order to run an Amazon business successfully.
In order to make learning various codes an easy task, the importance of learning them should be systematically addressed. Knowing and understanding the different codes can be very challenging because each code has a different function and purpose. In addition, there are global barcodes used worldwide, as well as unique barcodes used exclusively by Amazon.
What is an Amazon ASIN number?
ASIN is an Amazon Standard Identification Number. An Amazon ASIN code is automatically assigned to every product created on Amazon.
Therefore, listings or products are often referred to as ASINs. ASINs always start with “B0” and are ten digits long. Amazon ASIN codes identify products or listings on their website, and they can be found on the item’s product detail page. An ASIN is created for all products when they are added to Amazon.
Amazon product code
Since Amazon sells millions of products, it’s no surprise that they created their own internal barcodes to track them — ASINs, FNSKUs, and SKUs. Identifying and classifying products quickly and accurately is critical to ensuring a smooth and efficient supply chain, and this can only be achieved with such codes. Additionally, these codes help increase customer satisfaction because customers get what they ordered.
I hope this provides you with a query about what an Amazon ASIN number is.
What is FNSKU?
FNSKU is a fulfillment network stock keeping unit.
Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) items are assigned an FNSKU. FNSKU barcodes should be provided to Amazon for each item sent, as this enables Amazon to track the origin of the inventory.
One of those mistakes can lead to a lot of trouble, including sending customers the wrong product. Make sure these are complete and accurate. This can lead to negative reviews and negative feedback on seller accounts and damage to listings.
Additionally, the FNSKU must start with “X0” and contain ten alphanumerics. When the FNSKU label doesn’t start with “X0”, inventory is about to be sent to Amazon and it needs to be fixed immediately and the barcode corrected before anything goes wrong.
What are SKUs?
SKUs are stock keeping units.
It is an identification number that uniquely identifies the seller, and can be used to identify products, and is different for each marketplace. This is a unique number used to identify as a seller. Some sellers offer different packaging for different SKUs on different marketplaces for the same product (ASIN). Though being able to create your own SKU within Amazon and have your own SKU labeling and tracking system. The concept of SKU is not entirely attributable to Amazon and may also be used by other inventory tracking systems.
The SKU cannot be changed once created, if you don’t enter it, Amazon will create a random SKU for your listing, so choose carefully. If the same shipment is resent to Amazon, a new SKU may be created, but the inventory will have a new product.
Common Standard Code
In addition to Amazon, universal barcodes are used worldwide for many other businesses. Even so, they are still very important to Amazon sellers because they can find products quickly and accurately in an extensive database. Let’s understand some important common standard codes.
What are GTINs?
GTIN is the Global Trade Item Number.
A Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) is a Trade Item Identification Number created by GS1 — Global Standard 1. These codes are used to identify items in the database. This number is usually entered by scanning a barcode on a product owned by a retailer, manufacturer, collector or researcher.
Uniqueness and commonality of identifiers facilitate cross-referencing between products in one database and products in another, especially when databases are separated by organizational groups.
What is UPC?
UPC is the Universal Product Code.
In global retail stores and online marketplaces, UPCs are used to identify products and no two UPCs are the same. According to Amazon Seller Central, most products must have a UPC in order to sell on Amazon.
UPCs have 12 digits and are unique to an individual product, so scanning a barcode or checking the UPC can easily identify each product. Some countries require sellers to provide a UPC barcode for every product they sell. To be clear, if you want to sell 1000s of the same product, you don’t need 1000 different UPCs, just one, and one label on all 1000 similar units.
What is an ISBN?
ISBN is the International Standard Book Number.
A new generation of Amazon sellers may be surprised to learn that when Amazon originally started in 1994, the only products they could sell were books! So ISBN was one of the first barcodes you saw on Amazon at the time. Every 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. The ISBN is usually printed on the back cover of the book. Self-publishing on Amazon automatically issues an ISBN for every book published on its platform, the same as self-publishing through a publisher.
What is EAN?
EAN is the 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 retail type is indicated by adding a number to the EAN code. EAN barcodes are unique to a single product, just like UPCs.
Additional Product Code
MPN and IPN are two additional codes you may encounter as an Amazon seller. Both codes correspond to part numbers, but we can differentiate them based on how they are assigned.
What is MPN?
The manufacturer part number is called MPN. The MPN or Manufacturer Part Number is an alphanumeric value assigned by the manufacturer to identify products within the same product line.
Also think of it as your supplier’s catalog number. When referring directly to the supplier’s catalog numbering system, the supplier will be able to identify products without confusion. If you both speak the same language, it can help the supplier understand what you want to order.
What is an IPN?
IPN stands for Internal Part Number.
Tracking inventory is easier with an internal numbering system. A numbering system can be assigned by establishing a specific naming convention, which helps to identify products more easily.
Are there other codes that Amazon sellers need to know?
Amazon is primarily identified by these codes. These codes are used at both the local and global level, as described in each description above. The above code is important if you plan to sell on Amazon. So yes, one should know what an Amazon ASIN number is and other numbers related to it and how it affects it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you buy ASIN codes for Amazon?
No, there is no need to purchase an ASIN code. The ASIN for the product has been automatically generated. Adding a brand new product to the Amazon catalog will require generating a new ASIN. Typically, brands and manufacturers are responsible for creating ASINs.
Does Amazon have duplicate ASIN codes?
When ASINs are duplicated, it is difficult for customers to find products and make purchases. Amazon prohibits the creation of duplicate ASINs.
Potentially duplicate pages allow you to check your inventory for ASINs that match other ASINs on Amazon, avoiding suppression. It can be accepted or rejected as a copy.
Following these steps will prevent ASINs identified as potential duplicates from being banned:
1. In Seller Central, go to Inventory > Manage Inventory.
2. Go to the top of the page and click Potential Duplicates.
3. ASINs can be reviewed by clicking the Repeat Review button.
Follow the instructions at the top of the page to view potential duplicates of your ASIN.
Are you in trouble selling on Amazon without an ASIN code?
Yes. Can’t sell on Amazon without an ASIN. Having an ASIN is essential to selling on Amazon. ASINs are automatically generated when a product is added to an Amazon listing. If sellers don’t have UPC/EAN codes, they can choose to list their products on Amazon. This is a free service called GTIN exemption. Amazon offers a GTIN exemption for sellers without UPC/EAN codes to list their products.
Where can I get ASINs for gated categories on Amazon?
New sellers are Amazon’s target, and there are a lot of restrictions. This type of restricted marketplace on Amazon is called a gated category. Just need to know which products and brands are not allowed to sell on Amazon to bypass gated categories. Below is a list of Amazon gated ASIN codes and categories that new sellers should know.
Racing & Cars
collectible coins
Collectibles from the entertainment industry
art
gift card
jewelry
DVDs and Music
Major Home Appliances
sports-related collectibles
video streaming player
DVD, Blu-ray and Video
It’s not impossible to sell in these categories, but Amazon needs to be approved and meet certain conditions to allow selling there.
Where can I find ASINs for jewelry products?
Amazon has strict rules and requirements when it comes to selling fine jewelry on its platform. There are certain requirements that need to be met before obtaining Amazon ASIN codes for precious metals and jewelry.
Sellers need to meet the following requirements.
1. If you have not already upgraded to the Professional Selling Plan, please consider upgrading. This program must be maintained until you stop selling jewelry on the platform.
2. Fine jewelry is not available for novice sellers on Amazon. Amazon sellers must have at least 12 months of experience selling on the platform.
3. To be eligible to sell fine jewelry on Amazon, you need to have at least one brick-and-mortar store on Amazon and $50,000 in annual revenue.
4. Before applying, please make sure your account is in good condition. Applications for fine jewelry will be rejected when the defect rate exceeds 1%, the cancellation rate exceeds 2.5%, and the shipping date is delayed by more than 4%.
in conclusion
What is an Amazon ASIN number? Amazon uses different barcodes to track specific store orders to avoid supply chain chaos as the community continues to grow. The ASINs and other useful codes mentioned in this article are very important to know if you are a new seller on Amazon. Any misplacement or generation errors in these codes can create problems for sellers that can take a long time to resolve.
