Amazon sellers using the FBA service understand the importance of having an efficient barcode system on their products. Modern technologies, such as 2D barcodes, significantly simplify the FBA delivery process for both sellers and Amazon itself. Instead of manually entering box content information into Seller Central, sellers can use 2D barcodes to automatically transfer this information. This ensures faster and more accurate processing of goods upon arrival at Amazon’s fulfillment centers.
In our article, we will take an in-depth look at what a 2D barcode is and the advantages it offers to sellers within the Amazon FBA system. We will also provide a detailed guide on how to set up 2D barcodes in Seller Central, and explain all of Amazon’s requirements for their formats and printing. You will gain a clear understanding of how to effectively use the barcode system to improve the process of delivering your products to FBA warehouses.
Let’s start by explaining what a 2D barcode actually is. It is a form of information encoding that allows significantly more data to be contained compared to traditional linear barcodes. A 2D barcode can encode up to 4,000 characters in a single image, which is 20 times more than a linear (1D) barcode. This barcode consists of black and white symbols arranged in two dimensions. It can be easily read both horizontally and vertically, which helps speed up the processing of goods in the warehouse. This is particularly important for large shipment volumes where processing speed is critical.
When it comes to 2D barcodes on boxes for FBA shipments, this is a quick way to transmit information to Amazon about their contents without manual data entry. The label contains all the information about each item inside the box, their quantities, and even expiration dates. The code is placed next to the shipping label. When the boxes arrive at the Amazon warehouse, employees scan the 2D barcode on each box to instantly retrieve complete information about all incoming items. This significantly simplifies and speeds up the process of receiving and processing the entire shipment.
To inform Amazon about the contents of boxes being sent to FBA warehouses, you have two options:
- Manually enter the information through Seller Central;
- Attach a two-dimensional barcode next to the shipping label.
At first glance, the first option may seem simpler and faster. However, those who do this daily know how labor-intensive the process can be. Using a 2D barcode can significantly simplify the process of shipping goods to Amazon FBA warehouses and bring you a number of other benefits. 82% of retailers and 92% of brand owners find switching to a two-dimensional barcode instead of a 1D linear barcode advantageous. Let’s look at the key aspects that make this technology particularly valuable for Amazon sellers.
2.1 Swift preparation of goods for FBA shipment
2D barcodes eliminate the need for manually entering box content data into Seller Central. This reduces the time required for preparing and shipping goods to Amazon warehouses.
2.2 Reduction of errors
The use of 2D barcodes helps eliminate errors associated with manual data entry. Automatic data capture reduces the risk of errors and increases accuracy in record-keeping. This helps avoid costly mistakes and enhances overall process efficiency.
2.3 Acceleration of goods reception process at Amazon warehouses
2D barcode significantly expedites the goods registration process at Amazon processing centers. When a box arrives at the warehouse, employees can swiftly scan the barcode and instantly retrieve all necessary information about its contents. This reduces processing time and allows for quicker placement of items on shelves, thereby accelerating their availability for sale.
2.4 Rapid processing of large volumes of goods
By using 2D barcodes, sellers dealing with large batches of goods can quickly and accurately label each box. This is particularly crucial for sellers handling high sales volumes who need to efficiently manage their shipments and minimize processing time.
To begin using 2D barcodes to enhance logistics on Amazon, you must first enable settings in your Seller Central account. Here’s how:
STEP 1. Log in to your Seller Central account.
STEP 2. Go to Settings and at the bottom of the list, select “Fulfilled by Amazon”.
STEP 3. In the “Inbound Settings” section, choose “Edit” (top right corner).
STEP 4. Select “2D Barcodes for Box Content Information” (third option from the top) and click “Enable”.
STEP 5. Save your changes by clicking “Update”.
Upon arrival at an Amazon warehouse, everything starts with the barcode. The efficiency of your shipment depends on how accurately and quickly warehouse staff can scan it. Incorrect scanning can lead to delays, resulting in potential profit loss for your business. To avoid issues, it’s crucial to strictly adhere to Amazon’s requirements and recommendations for 2D barcode formats and printing.
The barcode must include specific information in a specified order, including:
- AMZN prefix
- FBA PO identifier
- Product identifier (ASIN, UPC, EAN, ISBN, or FNSKU)
- Quantity of units in the box
- Expiration date of goods in YYYYMMDD format (if applicable)
What 2D barcode formats does Amazon support:
- PDF417 (preferred)
- Data Matrix
- QR-код
Printing barcodes requires clarity and precision to ensure accurate scanning. It is recommended to use printers with a resolution of at least 600 dpi to ensure sharp image quality. Thermal or laser printers typically provide higher print quality compared to inkjet printers.
To ensure proper processing of two-dimensional barcodes, please follow these recommendations:
- Use uppercase letters for all data fields.
- Ensure that barcodes do not include ASINs with a quantity of zero.
- Avoid packing too many different ASINs in a single box; the maximum should be 100.
- Specify expiration dates in YYYYMMDD format.
- If you have units of the same ASIN with different expiration dates, pack them in separate boxes. Each box should contain only one expiration date for each ASIN.
- Before shipping items, always verify that barcodes scan easily and are free of defects.
Adhering to these requirements and recommendations will help avoid issues with processing goods at FBA warehouses and ensure more efficient management of your shipments.
2D barcodes are a quick way to identify the contents of specific boxes, making the process of shipping and receiving goods at Amazon processing centers more efficient. However, Amazon does not provide a ready-made solution for generating them. You will need to develop your own solution or rely on third-party services. This can be a challenging task for many sellers, especially those who are new to starting their business on the Amazon platform.
Clients of the Fulfillment-Box Prep Center have access to a tool for generating two-dimensional barcodes within our WMS system, Ysell.pro. This simplifies the process of creating and managing 2D barcodes, ensuring compliance with all Amazon requirements. Our fulfillment centers will generate, print, and apply labels with two-dimensional barcodes to each box in your shipment, helping you avoid delays and issues during the processing of goods at FBA warehouses. You’ll also be able to efficiently manage larger shipments and scale them without additional costs and efforts. With Fulfillment-Box, you’ll not only streamline and expedite your operations but also enhance the accuracy and reliability of shipments to Amazon FBA processing centers.
1. How to provide Amazon with information about the contents of an FBA Box?
To provide Amazon with information about the contents of a box, Amazon offers two options: manually enter the information in Seller Central or attach a 2D barcode to the exterior of the box next to the shipping label.
2. What is the difference between a 2D barcode and an FBA label?
The 2D barcode and the FBA label serve different functions. The 2D barcode contains detailed information about the contents of the box, such as product identifiers, quantities, and expiration dates. The FBA label is used for registering and tracking inventory in Amazon warehouses. It is mandatory.
3. Is it necessary to use an FBA label if the box is marked with a 2D barcode?
The 2D barcode only contains information about the contents of the box; it does not replace the standard FBA label.
4. What information is contained in Amazon 2D barcodes?
The two-dimensional barcode contains the following information: AMZN prefix, order identifier (PO), product identifier (ASIN, UPC, EAN, ISBN, or FNSKU), quantity of each item, and expiration date if applicable to the product.
5. How much does it cost to use two-dimensional barcodes on Amazon?
Amazon does not charge additional fees for using 2D barcodes. However, costs may arise for software and equipment needed to generate and print them. You can also use third-party services, which may offer paid solutions for creating and printing two-dimensional barcodes.
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