Lot Number
A code identifying one production batch of a product.
Definition
A lot number (or batch number) is a code that identifies a group of units produced together in the same run, so an entire batch can be traced for quality, expiration, or recall. One lot can contain many units that share the same SKU; the lot number sits above the individual unit and below the product type.
Why lot numbers matter for FBA sellers
If you sell anything with an expiration date, supplements, food, beverages, or cosmetics, lot tracking is part of doing it safely. Amazon requires the expiration date to be clearly labeled on each unit and its master carton for applicable categories, applies first-expired-first-out handling, and enforces a minimum remaining shelf life at check-in (per Amazon Seller Central's expiration-dated inventory policy). Lot numbers themselves stay on your side as the internal traceability layer behind those dates.
Lot tracking also turns a recall from a catastrophe into a contained event. When a quality issue surfaces, isolating the single affected lot lets you pull just those units instead of your entire catalog of that product.
Lot number vs serial number vs SKU
A SKU is the product type, a serial number is one individual unit, and a lot number is the batch in between. Lots are the practical middle ground for most physical-goods sellers: granular enough to trace a production problem, without the per-unit overhead of serializing everything.
How lot tracking connects to restock and removal
Expiration-dated inventory has to rotate first-expired-first-out, which means your oldest lots should sell before newer ones. Watch lots approaching their expiry window and move them with a promotion, a bundle, or a removal order before they age into stranded, unsellable stock that you still pay to store.
Related terms
Move aging stock before it expires
Inventory Hero buckets inventory by age and flags units approaching their expiration window, so you can promote, bundle, or remove them before they strand.
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