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Marissa Incitti
Marissa Incitti leads research and content at Feedvisor focused on Amazon, Walmart, and the broader e-commerce marketplace ecosystem. Her work covers retail media performance, pricing strategy, and how AI-driven discovery is reshaping how brands compete across marketplaces. Prior to Feedvisor, she worked in content leadership roles at a Fortune Global 500 omnichannel commerce technology company.
Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): What It Is and How Amazon Uses It
Published: February 27, 2017
Last updated: May 04, 2026
A Manufacturer Part Number (MPN) is a unique alphanumeric code assigned by a product’s manufacturer to identify a specific product. On Amazon, MPNs serve as one of several product identifiers - alongside UPC, EAN, and GTIN - that help catalog products accurately and make them discoverable in search results.
MPNs are particularly important for industrial, automotive, electronics, and replacement parts categories where buyers frequently search by part number to find the exact product they need.
Table of Contents
- What Is a Manufacturer Part Number?
- MPN vs. Other Product Identifiers
- Why MPNs Matter on Amazon
- How to Add an MPN to Your Listing
- When MPN Is Required vs. Optional
- Common MPN Issues
- FAQs
What Is a Manufacturer Part Number?
An MPN is an identifier created and assigned by the product’s manufacturer - not by Amazon, not by the seller, and not by a standards organization. Key characteristics:
- Manufacturer-assigned - only the original manufacturer creates the MPN
- Product-specific - each distinct product has its own MPN
- Alphanumeric - typically a combination of letters and numbers (e.g., “XJ-2045B”, “A1234-56”)
- Not universal - MPN formats vary by manufacturer; there is no standard structure
- Printed on packaging - usually found on the product box, label, or documentation
Examples
| Product Type | MPN Example |
|---|---|
| Printer cartridge | CB540A |
| Automotive brake pad | MX1084 |
| Computer RAM module | CT2K8G4DFS832A |
| Kitchen appliance | KSM150PSER |
| Power tool accessory | DW1361 |
MPN vs. Other Product Identifiers
Amazon uses multiple identifiers. Each serves a different purpose:
| Identifier | Assigned By | Scope | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| MPN | Manufacturer | Identifies a specific product model | CB540A |
| UPC | GS1 (standards body) | Universal barcode for retail (US/Canada) | 012345678905 |
| EAN | GS1 (standards body) | Universal barcode for retail (international) | 5012345678900 |
| GTIN | GS1 (standards body) | Umbrella term for UPC, EAN, ISBN | Varies by format |
| ASIN | Amazon | Unique product ID on Amazon | B09V3KXJPB |
| SKU | Seller | Seller’s internal tracking code | CART-HP-BLK-NEW |
Key Distinction
UPC, EAN, and GTIN are standardized product identifiers managed by GS1 and required for most Amazon listings. An MPN is manufacturer-specific and complements these identifiers - it does not replace them.
A product can have an MPN, a UPC, and an ASIN simultaneously. Each identifier serves a different system:
- MPN helps buyers and sellers identify the exact product model
- UPC/EAN/GTIN enables barcode scanning and catalog matching
- ASIN is Amazon’s internal product ID
- SKU is the seller’s internal inventory code
Why MPNs Matter on Amazon
Search Discoverability
Amazon’s search engine indexes MPNs. When a buyer searches for a specific part number - common in industrial, automotive, and electronics categories - having the correct MPN in your listing ensures your product appears in those search results.
For categories like replacement parts, printer supplies, and automotive components, MPN-based searches represent a significant share of buyer traffic. These searches indicate high purchase intent - the buyer knows exactly what they want.
Product Verification
MPNs help buyers confirm they are purchasing the correct product. This is especially important for:
- Replacement parts - buyers need exact compatibility (e.g., correct printer cartridge, brake pad, or filter)
- Electronics and components - specifications vary across similar-looking products
- Industrial supplies - wrong parts can cause equipment failure or safety issues
Catalog Accuracy
Providing the MPN during listing creation helps Amazon match your product to the correct catalog entry. This reduces the risk of your product being merged with the wrong listing or listed with incorrect information.
How to Add an MPN to Your Listing
During Listing Creation
- Go to Catalog > Add Products in Seller Central
- Search for the product or create a new listing
- In the product details section, locate the Manufacturer Part Number field
- Enter the exact MPN as it appears on the product packaging or manufacturer documentation
- Complete the remaining listing fields and submit
Via Bulk Upload
If you use inventory file uploads:
- Download the category-specific template from Catalog > Add Products via Upload
- Locate the MPN column in the template
- Enter the manufacturer part number for each product
- Upload the completed file
Important Guidelines
- Enter the MPN exactly as the manufacturer provides it - including any hyphens, slashes, or spaces
- Do not fabricate an MPN - if the product does not have a manufacturer part number, leave the field blank
- Do not enter your own SKU as the MPN - the MPN must be the manufacturer’s code
- Do not enter a UPC or EAN in the MPN field - these are different identifiers with separate fields
When MPN Is Required vs. Optional
Required Categories
Some Amazon categories require an MPN for listing creation. These typically include:
- Automotive parts and accessories
- Industrial and scientific products
- Computer components and accessories
- Office products (printer supplies, etc.)
- Electronics accessories
Optional but Recommended
In most other categories, the MPN is optional but strongly recommended. Providing the MPN when available:
- Improves search visibility for part-number searches
- Helps Amazon match your product to the correct catalog entry
- Increases buyer confidence in product accuracy
- Reduces the likelihood of listing errors
Not Applicable
Some products do not have MPNs - particularly handmade items, generic unbranded products, and products from manufacturers who do not assign part numbers. In these cases, leave the MPN field blank. Do not enter “N/A”, “Does not apply”, or any placeholder text.
Common MPN Issues
Incorrect MPN
Entering the wrong MPN can cause your product to be matched to the wrong Amazon catalog entry, display incorrect product information, or be returned by buyers who received the wrong item. Always verify the MPN against the manufacturer’s documentation.
MPN Not Found
If you search Amazon’s catalog using an MPN and no results appear, the product may not yet be listed on Amazon. You can create a new product page using the MPN along with the required GTIN (UPC/EAN).
Duplicate MPN Across Sellers
Multiple sellers can list the same product using the same MPN. This is expected - the MPN identifies the product, not the seller. All sellers offering the same product with the same MPN should be matched to the same Amazon product page (ASIN).
MPN Conflicts
If two different products share what appears to be the same MPN (from different manufacturers), catalog confusion can occur. In such cases, contact Seller Support to resolve the listing.
FAQs
What is a manufacturer part number?
A Manufacturer Part Number (MPN) is a unique code assigned by a product’s manufacturer to identify a specific product. It is printed on product packaging and used by retailers, distributors, and buyers to identify exact products.
Is MPN the same as UPC?
No. An MPN is assigned by the manufacturer and is specific to that manufacturer’s catalog. A UPC is a universal barcode assigned through GS1 and standardized across all retailers. Both can be used to identify the same product, but they are different systems.
Do I have to provide an MPN on Amazon?
It depends on the product category. Some categories (automotive, industrial, electronics accessories) require an MPN. In other categories, it is optional but recommended for improved search visibility and catalog accuracy. If your product does not have an MPN, leave the field blank.
Where do I find the MPN for a product?
The MPN is typically printed on the product packaging, label, or included documentation. It can also be found on the manufacturer’s website, in product catalogs, or on distributor invoices. If you are the manufacturer, you assign the MPN yourself.
Can I use my SKU as the MPN?
No. Your SKU is your internal tracking code. The MPN must be the manufacturer’s assigned part number. Entering your SKU in the MPN field creates incorrect catalog data and can cause listing issues.
Summary
A Manufacturer Part Number (MPN) is a manufacturer-assigned product identifier used on Amazon:
- Assigned by the manufacturer - not by Amazon, GS1, or the seller
- Alphanumeric format specific to each manufacturer’s system
- Improves search discoverability - Amazon indexes MPNs for part-number searches
- Helps buyers verify they are purchasing the correct product
- Required in some categories (automotive, industrial, electronics accessories); optional but recommended in others
- Enter during listing creation via Catalog > Add Products or in bulk upload templates
- Do not fabricate - leave blank if the product has no MPN
- Different from UPC/EAN/GTIN - MPN complements universal barcodes but does not replace them
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