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FBA - Barcode/Label, etc.

by tyrannosaurus rex
8 replies
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Thanks for the help on that other thread. A member was kind enough to solve the mystery for me of how to start a new thread, so here it is.

I am self publishing a book that - at least for now - I will only be selling FBA and not in stores. If I am only selling FBA, do I still need an ISBN? I'm pretty sure I do, but I thought I would check. Also, if I am only selling FBA and not in stores, do I need a bar code?

If I do need and have a bar code printed on the back cover, apparently Amazon requires that a special Amazon bar code label be stuck over any bar code to enable Amazon to process the book through its system and sales and shipping procedure, etc. It seems that Amazon will allow this label to be printed on the back cover instead of sticking a label over any other bar code, so presumably that label would supplant any other bar code. It's Greek to me, but here is what Amazon has to say about printing a label on the cover:



"Printing barcodes directly on Units: If you would like to print barcodes directly on Units, use the UCC128 barcode. The UCC128 barcode standards are available on the Internet. Amazon uses the UCC128 barcode (font) to encode the FNSKU or the Shipment ID in the barcode. We don't use any leading or trailing digits (application identifiers or checksum digits.) The full specification is UCC128 code set A (this is the code set that supports alphanumeric data). If you are building the barcode from scratch, you can review the standards or purchase software (there are many barcode applications available for free or at reasonable prices)."



What does all this mean?



I begin to think that I might not need a label at all. Amazon seems to be asking for a unique barcode to enable its storage and processing. But they are handling and therefore referring to all kinds of products, not necessarily books. I have a feeling that since my book will have an ISBN barcode printed on the back cover, and an ISBN barcode is by nature unique, then that might be sufficient to fulfill Amazon's requirements. Is that a possibility?



Greatly appreciate any help/explanation.
T-Rex
#barcode or label #fba
  • Profile picture of the author JamesF
    When you add your product, make sure you add in your original UPC number. That's all they want... they could care less about the other stuff. They will also assign ASIN and FKSIN if you plan on doing FBA inventory in their warehouses.
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    • Profile picture of the author tyrannosaurus rex
      Thanks for your help. But it seems that Amazon makes a big point of saying that if you have any kind of barcode on the back of your book, you have to stick an Amazon label over it, and if you don't have a bar code on the back then you just stick on the Amazon label, or print it directly onto the book. I presume this Amazon label is the ASIN.

      So I have a few things unresolved - 1) If I'm only selling FBA and nowhere else, do I need an ISBN? 2) If I have an ISBN printed on the book, will that satisfy Amazon's need and requirement for a unique bar code that they can use for processing through their system? 3) If I don't need an ISBN and therefore don't have one printed on the book, will Amazon provide an ASIN that I can have printed on the book, because I cannot start sticking labels onto every book.

      Thanks for any answers.

      TR
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      • Profile picture of the author DWaters
        Originally Posted by tyrannosaurus rex View Post

        Thanks for your help. But it seems that Amazon makes a big point of saying that if you have any kind of barcode on the back of your book, you have to stick an Amazon label over it, and if you don't have a bar code on the back then you just stick on the Amazon label, or print it directly onto the book. I presume this Amazon label is the ASIN.

        So I have a few things unresolved - 1) If I'm only selling FBA and nowhere else, do I need an ISBN? 2) If I have an ISBN printed on the book, will that satisfy Amazon's need and requirement for a unique bar code that they can use for processing through their system? 3) If I don't need an ISBN and therefore don't have one printed on the book, will Amazon provide an ASIN that I can have printed on the book, because I cannot start sticking labels onto every book.

        Thanks for any answers.

        TR
        The "covering the existing barcode" is simple becasue when you list an item into your FBA inventory you will be asked to print off the stickers which you then put on the item and ship it to them. I buy the labels I need at my local Staples store. As for the ISBN number I do not know as I do not deal much with books and unfortunately I also have never had to add/create a new product prior to adding it to my inventory. However I do have access to some folks who may know so I will see it I can do some quick research for you and get back to you.

        PS - Nice thread here !!
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        • Profile picture of the author tyrannosaurus rex
          Thank you. I cannot start sticking labels on every book. I can however print the label on the book, and I think I can leave off the ISBN, even if I am required to have one. Even if I am, I don't have to print it on the book, unless I intend to sell through retail venues, but I will only be selling FBA.
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  • Profile picture of the author DWaters
    My source of information did not provide me with much info unfortunately. I did learn that if you are using Create Space for creating the book is going to supply you with an ISBN number on the book.

    Foolish question - I am assuming your self published book is a hard copy book and NOT a Kindle book, correct?
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    • Profile picture of the author tyrannosaurus rex
      Thanks - It will be a hard copy. From a different forum I think I was correct in the following. I have to have an ISBN but it doesn't have to be on the book unless I want to sell through retail venues, which I will not be doing. Amazon doesn't want my ISBN on the book for FBA, and in fact if I had one on there, they want it covered with an Amazon/FBA barcode label, for processing through Amazon's system.

      So I can in fact do what I thought - get an ISBN but don't print it on the book, and instead print the Amazon/FBA barcode onto the book. Now I needn't spend any time sticking on labels, which I couldn't do anyway if I hope for any real volume, and the printer can ship directly to Amazon, saving me time and money.

      I just have to see if a spiral bound book, which this is, causes any problems. I can't see how or why, but just wondering.
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    • Profile picture of the author tyrannosaurus rex
      Thanks - It will be a hard copy. From a different forum I think I was correct in the following. I have to have an ISBN but it doesn't have to be on the book unless I want to sell through retail venues, which I will not be doing. Amazon doesn't want my ISBN on the book for FBA, and in fact if I had one on there, they want it covered with an Amazon/FBA barcode label, for processing through Amazon's system.

      So I can in fact do what I thought - get an ISBN but don't print it on the book, and instead print the Amazon/FBA barcode onto the book. Now I needn't spend any time sticking on labels, which I couldn't do anyway if I hope for any real volume, and the printer can ship directly to Amazon, saving me time and money.

      I just have to see if a spiral bound book, which this is, causes any problems. I can't see how or why, but just wondering.
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  • Profile picture of the author DWaters
    I have found Amazon's FBA support to be excellent. My best suggestion is to contact them directly and get everything just right. It may be that you need to set up your FBA account first it you have not done so yet, to get in touch with them.

    On a few occaisions I submitted a help ticket from my seller central page and they would call be back a while late and cover everything in detail. Amazon treats their third party sellers like a valuable customer, which in fact is the case.
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