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- •Amazon ends inventory commingling on March 31, 2026
- •Brand Registry owners can use manufacturer UPC/EAN barcodes
- •Resellers must apply FNSKU labels to all products
- •Eliminates counterfeit mixing that cost brands $600M+ in re-labeling
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What's Happening
Amazon is ending its controversial commingling program on March 31, 2026. This practice, which pooled identical products from multiple sellers into shared inventory bins, has been blamed for counterfeit issues since its introduction in 2013. Brands running their P&L on Nova tend to catch this in the fee-detail view first, before it lands in the weekly review.
The announcement received the biggest applause at Amazon Accelerate 2025. Brand owners have spent over $600 million in the past year alone on re-stickering products to avoid commingling issues. Use Nova's P&L analytics to track your labeling costs and margin impact.
Key Dates and Changes
| Change | Details | Effective Date |
|---|---|---|
| Commingling Ends | Amazon stops pooling inventory from multiple sellers. Each seller's units tracked separately. | March 31, 2026 |
| Brand Registry Owners | Can use manufacturer UPC/EAN barcodes. No longer forced to use FNSKU labels. | March 31, 2026 |
| Resellers | Must use Amazon FNSKU barcodes on all products. No exceptions. | March 31, 2026 |
| Inventory Tracking | Each unit traced back to originating seller. Full accountability chain. | March 31, 2026 |
Mark Your Calendar
Deadline: March 31, 2026. Amazon will stop accepting commingled inventory after this date. Plan your labeling transition now.
Who This Affects
Brand Owners Win
- No more counterfeit products mixed with authentic inventory
- Can use manufacturer barcodes if enrolled in Brand Registry
- Save $600M+ industry-wide on re-labeling costs
- Better customer trust and fewer IP complaints
Resellers Face Changes
- Mandatory FNSKU labeling on all products
- Increased prep costs per unit
- Can no longer rely on manufacturer barcodes
- Need to adjust workflows and supplier agreements
Why Amazon Made This Change
For over a decade, commingling allowed Amazon to fulfill orders faster by treating identical products as interchangeable. But this created a major problem: counterfeit or damaged products from one seller could be shipped to customers who ordered from a different, legitimate seller.
The Counterfeit Problem
Brand owners had no way to ensure customers received their authentic products. A customer ordering from a trusted brand might receive a counterfeit from a bad actor whose inventory was pooled in the same bin.
The change reflects Amazon's strategic shift toward supporting brand owners over arbitrage resellers. With increasing regulatory pressure on counterfeits and customer complaints, ending commingling was inevitable.
What You Should Do Now
- 1.Audit Your Current Labeling: Check which products are using manufacturer barcodes vs FNSKU labels. Identify products that need re-labeling before March 31, 2026.
- 2.Enroll in Brand Registry: If you own brands, ensure you're enrolled in Amazon Brand Registry. This lets you continue using manufacturer barcodes after the change.
- 3.Update Prep Workflows: Resellers should update supplier agreements and prep center workflows to include FNSKU labeling. Factor the per-unit cost increase into your pricing.
- 4.Track Transition Costs: Use Nova's P&L tracking to monitor your labeling and prep costs. Understand the true cost per unit and margin changes during the transition.
- 5.Plan Transition Timeline: Don't wait until March 2026. Start transitioning inventory now to avoid last-minute bottlenecks and potential FBA receiving delays.
How Nova Helps
Track your transition costs and margin impact with precision. Nova's P&L dashboard Breaks down prep costs, labeling expenses, and per-unit profitability so you can manage the transition efficiently. Try Nova free for 14 days
Manage Your Transition with Nova:
→ P&L Analytics: Track labeling and prep costs at the SKU level
→ Custom Breakdowns: Segment products by labeling status and brand ownership
→ Seller Cockpit: Monitor FBA fees and margin changes during transition
→ Daily Analytics: Track margin changes as you adjust prep workflows
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this topic
Verified Sources
All information verified from official Amazon sources and trusted industry analysts as of publication date.
Deep Dive: Related Guides
For more comprehensive analysis on these topics:
What's a healthy FBA seller margin in 2026? Benchmarks across 10 categories, the real net-margin formula (not the simplified one), and 8 fixes that added 5-12 points of margin for real sellers.
→ Building a Sustainable Amazon BusinessCreate a long-term, profitable Amazon business with sustainable practices and strategic planning that survives market changes.
→ Amazon Brand Registry 2026: Complete Setup & Benefits GuideAmazon Brand Registry unlocks powerful features for brand protection and growth. Complete enrollment guide with step-by-step setup and strategy tips.