Can an item have multiple barcodes, SKU aliases or vendor SKUs in Zoho Inventory?

Zoho Inventory gives each item one SKU plus standard identifier fields such as UPC, EAN, ISBN and MPN. It does not offer an unlimited list of barcodes or SKU aliases per item as a built-in feature. Common workarounds are using the extra identifier fields, adding custom fields for vendor SKUs, and showing the vendor SKU on purchase orders. Check the current help pages for new options.

Many businesses need one product to answer to several codes: the manufacturer's barcode, a retailer's code and each supplier's part number. Inventory covers part of this through the SKU and the standard identifier fields. Barcode scanning in Inventory typically works with the SKU or a configured identifier, so check which field your scanner setup reads.

For vendor SKUs, add a custom field on the item, or a field per main supplier, and include it on purchase order templates so suppliers see their own code. If each supplier needs a different code for the same item and you have many suppliers, a small Zoho Creator app or a custom module linked to items can hold a proper supplier price list.

Multiple sales barcodes are harder. If you sell the same product under two barcodes, some teams create a second item and use a composite or a regular stock transfer process, but this adds work. Review the trade-offs before choosing, and vote for the feature in the Zoho community if it matters to you.

Written by Flowpeak, a Zoho implementation partner. Zoho pricing and features change, so confirm current details on the official Zoho site. Free checklists | Ask us a question