Amazon has announced that commingling practices will officially end on March 31, 2026. This change means Amazon will no longer fulfill orders using inventory from multiple sellers, even if the products are identical. Instead, each seller’s inventory will be tracked and fulfilled individually.
If you’re selling on Amazon, this update directly impacts how your inventory is managed and how you label your products, especially if you are currently using manufacturer barcodes. Here’s everything you need to know.
What’s changing?
1. End of commingling: Commingling allowed Amazon to fulfill orders from any seller’s stock if the products were identical. With this change, Amazon will no longer use other sellers’ inventory to fulfill your orders. Instead, your inventory will be tracked and fulfilled separately from other sellers.
2. Brand owners (Brand representative role): If you’re a brand owner registered as a Brand Representative in Amazon’s Brand Registry, you no longer need to apply Amazon barcode stickers if your products already have manufacturer barcodes (like UPC or ISBN).
3. Resellers (non-brand representative sellers): If you are a reseller and not registered as a brand representative, you will now need to use Amazon barcode stickers, even if the product already has a manufacturer barcode.
4. Products without manufacturer barcodes: If your products don’t have a manufacturer barcode, both brand owners and resellers will need to use Amazon barcode stickers.
Why does this matter for sellers?
Simple labeling process: Brand owners registered in Brand Registry will have a simpler labeling process. You won’t need to apply Amazon barcodes to products that already have manufacturer barcodes, giving you more flexibility in managing your inventory and reducing prep time.
Resellers face added complexity: Resellers who are not enrolled as brand representatives will now need to add extra labeling steps to their prep process. While this change adds time and cost, it’s necessary to comply with the new system.
Inventory control and tracking get more precise: Amazon will track inventory more accurately, ensuring your stock is handled properly, reducing confusion or potential errors when fulfilling orders. However, this also means no more shared inventory across sellers, so every seller’s products will be handled separately.
Operational efficiency: Sellers must review and adjust their inbound processes to meet the new requirements. This will help avoid problems with shipments and ensure your inventory is prepared properly for the transition.
What should you do now?
Confirm your Brand Registry status: If you’re a brand owner, make sure you are registered in Amazon Brand Registry as a Brand Representative. This will allow you to use manufacturer barcodes and avoid using Amazon barcodes for your products.
Review your current labeling workflow: Identify products that are affected by the change, especially if you’re a reseller. Make sure you’re ready to apply Amazon barcode stickers to your inventory.
Update your prep center or warehouse: If you use a prep center or third-party warehouse, ensure they are aware of the new labeling requirements and can apply Amazon barcode stickers to your products as needed.
Adjust your SOPs: Review and update your SOPs to reflect the new labeling rules before the March 2026 deadline. This ensures you stay compliant and avoid delays.
Plan for the March 2026 deadline: This change might impact your operations and inventory management, so start preparing now to avoid any disruptions when the new system kicks in.
The end of commingling practices will require sellers to make some changes to how inventory is labeled and tracked. If you are a brand owner, you’ll have an easier time with inventory management and labeling. However, if you are a reseller, expect to add extra labeling steps to your prep process.
By preparing now and updating your processes before the deadline, you can ensure a smooth transition to the new system and avoid operational disruptions.
Need help optimizing your labeling workflow or adjusting your inventory management for the new commingling rules? Our Amazon business experts can help you navigate the transition, update your SOPs, and ensure your business is fully prepared for the change in 2026.
