Get to know the labeling requirements for small businesses selling via Amazon or through retail stores!

Ready, set, sell! Here is what you need to know about the labelling requirements for sales on Amazon or in retail stores. When it comes down to it, there are different types of requirements for your products for Amazon and retail stores. Let’s get into some of the different labelling practices you’ll need to know.

Regulatory Label Requirements

If your business sells food and beverage products, this is the level of labelling that you need to pay the most attention to! Creating labels that are note compliant with the CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency)/Health Canada can put you on the fast track to a lot of trouble, so be sure to create compliant labels. Not sure what that means? Go here to learn more about Canadian label Compliance.

Retail Scanning Label Requirements

The retail scanning label is your UPC/GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) barcode. These labels are a direct connection between your product and the store’s checkout system. Most Canadian retails will require your products to show a GS1-issued UPC barcode for proper checkout scanning, inventory management, and simplified replenishment.

Suggested Avery Label

UPC Barcode Area Avery 5160  - 1" x 2 ⅝" White Rectangle Labels

Retail Shelf Sticker Avery 5163 - 2" x 4" White Rectangle Labels

Case-Pack Barcode Avery 5168  - 3 ½" x 5" White Rectangle Labels

Amazon FBA Labels (FNSKU Network SKU)

An Amazon FNSKU label identified your product within the confines of their fulfillment network. Amazon requires each items sent to FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) to have a scannable barcode. The label must be at least 1” x 2”, have sufficient white space around the barcode, and should include the FNSKU, product name, and item condition. Avery 5160 is the best suited label for this job!

Amazon also has some specific FNSKU placement rules. Here’s what you need to know.

• Cover Other Scannable Barcodes
• Don’t Place Labels on Curves or Corners
• Don’t Place Labels Right Next to Package Edges
• Don’t Place Labels Over Seams
• Ensure the Label is Easily Visible Without Handling or Opening Packaging
• Don’t Cover Canadian Label Information
• Don’t Cove the Best Before Date
• Don’t Place the Barcode on Shrink-Wrap Only

Did You Know
The Avery 5160 (1" × 2⅝") is the closest thing to an industry-standard multipurpose label for food, beverage, and Amazon FBA operations in Canada because its dimensions align well with common FNSKU and barcode labeling workflows.

Shop Avery.ca for a wide variety of Label Packs, Labels by the Sheet, and Custom Printed Labels.