Quick answer: Fulfyld requires a unique SKU value for every individual product variation; each size, color, or configuration must have its own distinct SKU. SKUs are entered into Shipedge during onboarding via the SKU/Shipping Method Excel Template. There is no single required format, but SKUs should be alphanumeric, consistently structured, human-readable, and free of special characters. Every SKU must also have a corresponding UPC or scannable barcode.
The Core Requirement: One SKU Per Variation
Before getting into format, the most important rule at Fulfyld is this: every distinct product variation needs its own unique SKU. If you sell a t-shirt in small, medium, and large, those are three SKUs, not one. If that shirt also comes in two colors, that’s six SKUs.
This isn’t a Fulfyld-specific rule; it’s how 3PL fulfillment works. Shipedge maps each incoming order line to a specific SKU, which tells the warehouse which exact bin to pick from. If two variations share a SKU, the system cannot distinguish between them, and the wrong item ships.
This applies equally to bundled products. If you sell a “starter kit” that combines two individual SKUs, the kit gets its own master SKU separate from its components. Fulfyld’s onboarding template has a dedicated tab for bundles where you list the master SKU and the component SKUs that make it up.
What Makes a Good SKU
Fulfyld doesn’t impose a single naming format, but good SKUs share the same qualities regardless of category or product type.
Unique. No two products should share a SKU ever. This seems obvious, but it breaks down when brands use manufacturer codes that overlap across suppliers, or when they reuse old SKUs after retiring a product.
Alphanumeric only. Use letters and numbers. Avoid special characters like / \ * # @ ! % & ( ) and avoid spaces. Hyphens (-) and underscores (_) are generally safe as separators, but confirm with your account manager before using them, as some integrations and systems handle these differently.
Consistent in structure. Pick a format and apply it uniformly across your entire catalog. If your format for apparel is[BRAND]-[STYLE]-[COLOR]-[SIZE]that every apparel SKU should follow that pattern.
Inconsistency is the main reason SKU systems break down over time, it becomes impossible to read, audit, or extend without introducing errors.
Short enough to be scannable. Long SKUs are harder to scan reliably and more prone to entry errors. Aim for 8–20 characters as a general range. You don’t need to fit your entire product description into the SKU.
Human-readable. A picker or receiving associate should be able to glance at a SKU and have at least a rough sense of what the product is. PRTN-VAN-60-P is far more useful in a warehouse setting than 10038472913. Neither pure numeric nor fully random codes serve your team or Fulfyld’s well.
Stable over time. Once a SKU is uploaded and inventory is received against it in Shipedge, changing it creates significant operational problems. Treat SKUs as permanent identifiers. If a product is reformulated, resized, or repackaged in a meaningful way, create a new SKU for it rather than editing the existing one.
A Simple Structure to Build From
Most brands do well with a format built around three to four attributes separated by hyphens. A common starting pattern:
[BRAND/LINE]-[PRODUCT]-[VARIANT 1]-[VARIANT 2]Some real-world examples by category:
Supplements / Nutraceuticals VITAL-OMEGA3-90CT – brand prefix, product name, count/size VITAL-OMEGA3-180CT – same product, different size = different SKU
Apparel STRK-CREW-BLK-SM – brand, style, color, size STRK-CREW-BLK-MD – same style and color, different size = different SKU
Skincare / Beauty LUME-SERUM-1OZ – brand, product type, size LUME-SERUM-2OZ – different size = different SKU
Home goods / General products NVRD-CANDLE-CED-8OZ – brand, product, scent, size NVRD-CANDLE-LAV-8OZ – same product and size, different scent = different SKU
Bundles / Kits VITAL-STARTER-KIT – master SKU for the bundle; component SKUs listed separately in the bundles tab
The exact abbreviations you use are up to you, just be consistent. BLACK and BLK are both fine, but don’t use both.
What You Need to Submit at Onboarding
When you fill out the SKU/Shipping Method Excel Template during Fulfyld’s onboarding process, each product SKU requires the following:
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SKU Value: your unique alphanumeric identifier
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UPC/Barcode Value: the scannable barcode printed on the physical unit; all units must have a scannable barcode to be received and picked at Fulfyld’s warehouse
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Detailed Product Description: clear enough for the warehouse team to identify the item without seeing the product
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Dimensions and Weight: used for shipping rate calculation
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HS Code: required for any international shipments
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Country of Origin: the country where the product was manufactured
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Declared Value: the sales price of the product
For bundles, you’ll need the master SKU, a description of the bundle, and the component SKUs with quantities for each component.
For SKUs that Fulfyld will not be fulfilling (digital products, items shipped by another facility, virtual gift cards), list them in the Dropship/Ignore SKUs tab so the system knows to pass those order lines through without trying to fulfill them.
Ready to Fix Your SKU Structure?
A clean Fulfyld SKU naming convention cuts pick errors, speeds up dock-to-stock processing, and gives your dedicated account manager the visibility to catch problems before they hit your customers.
If you’re migrating from another 3PL or have an established SKU system, you don’t need to rebuild it from scratch. Bring your existing SKUs as-is and discuss them with your account manager during onboarding.
As long as they’re unique per variation and each unit has a scannable barcode, Fulfyld can work with your existing convention.
Still Have Questions?
Your dedicated account manager is the right person to review your SKU list before you submit the onboarding template. They can flag potential issues before inventory is received and help you avoid the most common setup mistakes.
Reach the Fulfyld team at hey@fulfyld.com or (256) 716-8241, or visit fulfyld.com/docs for additional documentation.