The Amazon Commingling Program ending in March 2026 gives brand owners more inventory freedom while requiring resellers to use Amazon barcodes, reducing counterfeit risks.
Starting March 31, 2026, sellers will see a major shift in how Amazon handles inventory. Pooled inventory will no longer mix products from different sellers, reducing risks for brands and customers alike.
The Amazon commingling program ending in March 2026 gives brand owners new flexibility over stock management. Resellers are required to label products properly, improving marketplace safety and product authenticity.
How the Amazon Commingling Program Ending Impacts Sellers and Brand Protection
According to Amazon, sellers are set to experience a major change with the Amazon Commingling Program ending, which officially takes effect on March 31, 2026. The update removes pooled inventory practices, allowing sellers to maintain closer control over their products while maintaining fast delivery speeds.
Brand owners with the Brand Representative role in Amazon Brand Registry will no longer need to apply Amazon barcode stickers for items with manufacturer barcodes. This shift streamlines inventory management and reduces the need for pre-allocating units across channels, giving brands more operational flexibility.
Resellers not enrolled in Brand Registry must now use Amazon barcode labeling for FBA, even if the product has a manufacturer barcode. Products without manufacturer barcodes will require stickers for all sellers, helping prevent counterfeit products on Amazon and ensuring compliance with marketplace standards.
Sellers can follow simple steps to comply with the new requirements:
- Apply Amazon barcode stickers to non-registered or sticker-required products.
- Maintain accurate inventory tracking to avoid shipping issues.
- Update labeling processes in line with FBA barcode guidelines.
This change also signals broader improvements in marketplace integrity, aligning with recent Amazon seller news and the platform’s ongoing push to protect brand reputations. Partnering with an experienced Amazon agency can help sellers adjust quickly to these changes while optimizing inventory and labeling processes.
Commingling Ends on Amazon, Paving Way for Safer Marketplace
Amazon Phases Out Commingling to Combat Counterfeits by 2026 by Maya Perez"Amazon is phasing out its long-standing Amazon Commingling Program, which previously pooled identical products from multiple sellers. The gradual change, starting with select categories and completing by mid-2026, aims to reduce counterfeit risks and restore trust in the marketplace."
The commingling program often allowed fake or damaged products to mix with authentic items, creating challenges for sellers and eroding customer confidence. Understanding how Amazon handles third-party inventory is now crucial for sellers seeking to protect their reputations and maintain compliance.
This phase-out could level the playing field by reducing reliance on complex workarounds like stickerless inventory separation. Sellers now have a clearer path for how to avoid commingling on Amazon while balancing delivery speed and operational efficiency.
FBA operations previously benefited from commingling by optimizing warehouse space and reducing shipping times. The end of this practice may increase fulfillment costs for some, but it gives sellers more control over product authenticity and inventory integrity.
Industry analysts see this move as part of Amazon’s effort to address regulatory scrutiny and retain high-quality sellers amid growing competition.
Goodbye Commingling: Amazon Empowers Sellers and Safeguards Brands
Based on a GeekWire article written by Todd Bishop, the end of the Amazon Commingling Program addresses longstanding concerns of Amazon sellers over counterfeit, damaged, and mixed inventory. This change gives sellers greater control over their products while improving trust in the marketplace.
Sellers previously relied on costly “re-stickering” with FNSKU labels to keep their products separate and prevent commingling. With the program ending, brands can now use manufacturer barcodes on Amazon and adopt more efficient commingling alternatives for Amazon sellers.
Key updates include:
- Amazon’s logistics network now places inventory closer to customers, reducing the need for pooled shipments.
- More sellers are brand owners, allowing them to opt out of commingling to protect product quality.
- Advanced tracking systems can trace individual units without mixing inventory.
The phase-out removes the expensive workaround of re-stickering and provides brands with the flexibility to manage inventory across multiple channels. Sellers can now implement Amazon seller account protection strategies more effectively while ensuring authentic products reach customers.
Sellers Gain Control as the Amazon Commingling Program Comes to a Close
Ending the Amazon Commingling Program eliminates the practice of pooling identical items from multiple sellers under a single barcode, a system that had exposed brands to counterfeit and damaged products. This change gives sellers more control over their inventory management on Amazon.
Previously, the commingling program sped up deliveries and optimized warehouse space, but it forced brands to spend heavily on re-stickering products to maintain quality standards. With the program ending, the Amazon brand protection measures are strengthened, and resellers face fewer advantages over direct brand owners.
Amazon estimated that brand owners spent $600 million in the past year alone on re-stickering, a workaround that will no longer be necessary under the new policy. Improvements in the company’s logistics network now allow products to reach customers quickly without pooled inventory, reducing the original benefits of commingling.
Amazon to end commingling program after years of complaints from brands and sellers by Allison Smith"Most products can now achieve the fast shipping speeds customers love without commingling. By ending commingling, these resources can now be reinvested in growing your business."
