What Is an Amazon ASIN? Definition, Format & Uses
An Amazon ASIN is the unique 10-character code Amazon assigns to every product. Learn how it works, how to find yours, and why it matters for sellers.
Alexis Montañes 2 min read
Table of contents
An Amazon ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number) is a unique 10-character alphanumeric code that Amazon assigns to every product in its catalog. It identifies that specific listing on the platform, separate from your own SKU, and a new ASIN is generated automatically for each product — even for the same item sold in a different country marketplace.
It is important to remember that the ASIN code only varies in the case of books. Such items always come with a 10-character ISBN number, so the ASIN will be exactly the same as the ISBN.
The ASIN is the first thing you need for your products to start being distributed on Amazon. And as we already know, ASINs can be used to find products through the search field on Amazon’s site.
How to obtain the ASIN
Amazon assigns you your code when you go to create your products in the catalog, you don’t generate it yourself. So you will have to request these ASIN codes once you have uploaded your product listing and Amazon will respond with the ASINs that correspond to each of your products.
The ASIN is very important because it allows you to make any changes or updates you wish to make to your available stock, because directly with the ASIN you can update information from a file or directly from your catalog.
How Amazon’s ASIN behaves with product variants.
If there are products with size or color variants in the case of apparel, or storage capacity variants in cell phones, each of these variants will have a different ASIN.
Here ends our lesson on “What the ASIN is and why you need it”. If you have doubts or want to deepen in some aspects ask us with a comment. To not miss other content from Epinium University, subscribe to the Newsletter.
FAQ: Amazon ASIN
What is an Amazon ASIN?
An ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number) is a unique 10-character alphanumeric code that Amazon assigns to every product listing in its catalog, separate from your own SKU.
Is the ASIN the same as my SKU?
No. The ASIN identifies the listing on Amazon’s platform, while your SKU is your own internal product identifier. A new ASIN is generated automatically for each product, even for the same item sold in a different country marketplace.
How is a book’s ASIN different from other products?
Books are the one exception: since they always carry a 10-character ISBN, the ASIN for a book is exactly the same as its ISBN.
Do product variants get their own ASIN?
Yes. If a product has size, color, or storage capacity variants, each variant is assigned a different ASIN.
How do I get an ASIN for my product?
You don’t generate it yourself — Amazon assigns the ASIN once you create your product listing in the catalog. After you upload your listing, Amazon responds with the ASIN that corresponds to each product.