New products launching
Products entering supermarkets, distribution, e-commerce platforms or overseas retail without product codes yet.
GS1 · GTIN · EAN · UPC
Barcode Registration
From target markets, platform requirements and SKU counts to packaging levels, we help you choose the right product identification scheme, prepare the application, and assign and use barcodes in a disciplined way.
Type selectionGTIN, EAN, UPC and packaging codes
Quantity planningCalculated by product variants and packaging levels
Usage guidanceCodes, artwork, printing and platform submission
Requirements, fees and timelines depend on the applicant, target market and the issuing authority.
North American retail EAN-13
International retail
Use cases
Before products reach retail and platform shelves, they must first be uniquely identified
A barcode is more than black lines on a package. The registrant, product differences, packaging levels and sales channels must stay consistent, otherwise you risk duplicate codes, failed scans or mismatched platform listings.
Growing SKU counts
New colours, capacities, models, bundles or pack sizes in an existing range require re-counting your codes.
Expanding overseas
Moving from the home market into North America, Europe or Asia requires confirming UPC, EAN and platform rules.
Untidy legacy codes
Unclear code sources, missing allocation records or mixed product data call for a traceable code register.
Key concepts
GTIN is the product number; EAN and UPC are common barcode forms
Tell the numbering system apart from the barcode carrier, then apply them correctly by market, packaging and supply chain.
Global Trade Item Number
The numbering system that uniquely identifies trade items, commonly 8, 12, 13 or 14 digits.
International retail standard
Widely used across Europe, Asia and other international markets for most retail packaging.
North American retail standard
Usually 12 digits, common in US and Canadian retail and e-commerce.
Packaging level identification
Used for cartons, multipacks or logistics packaging levels — not a consumer unit code.
How to choose
Look beyond digit counts — consider market, packaging and channel together
Consultants judge from your actual business information; do not simply copy templates or another seller's coding practice.
Sales region
UPC-A is more common in North America; EAN-13 is more common across Europe, Asia and other international retail markets.
- Target countries and storefronts
- Offline retail or online platforms
- Distributor-specified formats
Products and packaging
Single units, inner packs, bundles and shipping cartons may sit at different identification levels — one number cannot be copied onto all packaging.
- Single consumer units
- Multipacks and gift sets
- Cartons and logistics packaging
Platform policies
Amazon and other platforms may verify brand, product data and GTIN origin; some cases qualify for GTIN exemption, subject to each marketplace's rules.
- Whether the category requires GTIN
- Brand name consistency
- Exemption eligibility
Quantity planning
Tradeable differences usually need separate identification
Changes in colour, size, capacity, model, bundle contents or pack count can each create an independent SKU. Building a product matrix before applying helps avoid shortfalls and duplicate assignments later.
Estimation logic
Product lines
×
Variants
×
Colours / models
+
Packaging levels
This is a preliminary counting method, not a formula every business uses. Final code quantities follow your actual product structure and the applicable rules.
Reserve room for new items, seasonal lines, bundles and channel-exclusive packaging — but avoid bulk applications without a basis.
Example: apparel range
Styles
2
Colours
3
Sizes
4
Consumer SKUs
2 × 3 × 4 = 24
If there are also 2-packs, gift sets or shipping cartons, decide whether each forms an independent trade item.
Service scope
From application preparation to day-to-day usage
Pre-application review
Check applicability and required materials based on the applicant, sales markets and product plan.
- Entity and use-case confirmation
- Code type recommendation
- Initial capacity planning
Product coding plan
Sort out SKUs, variants, bundles and packaging levels into a maintainable allocation logic.
- SKU matrix cleanup
- Unit vs carton separation
- Code register advice
Usage and print tips
Explain code artwork, placement, quiet zones, scaling, print quality and scan verification.
- Barcode artwork usage
- Packaging print notes
- Scan testing advice
Submission support
Verify company and product information against requirements to avoid back-and-forth over names or addresses.
- Material checklist
- Consistency checks
- Submission follow-up
Platform scenarios
Explain GTIN submission, brand consistency and possible exemption paths for each target platform.
- Amazon and other platforms
- Brand and product data
- Platform review boundaries
Handover and upkeep
Cover file storage, allocation records, product updates and adding codes later.
- Delivery documents
- Code register upkeep
- Expansion reminders
Process
Five steps that connect needs, application and usage
Describe your business
Target markets, platforms, product types, SKU counts and existing barcodes.
Set the direction
Analyse code types, applicant, capacity and packaging-level needs.
Verify materials
Check that company name, registration data, contacts and product plans are complete and consistent.
Submit and follow up
File the confirmed application and supplement materials per reviewer feedback.
Handover guidance
Explain code allocation, artwork, packaging print, platform submission and register upkeep.
Preparation
Organising accurate information early reduces rework
Usually required information
- ✓ ApplicantCompany name, registration country or region, licences and contact details.
- ✓ Product listProduct names, brands, specs, colours, models and pack counts.
- ✓ Sales channelsTarget countries, retail channels, e-commerce platforms and storefronts.
- ✓ Existing codesAny GTIN, UPC, EAN, internal SKUs or past allocation records.
Double-check before submitting
- ✓ Consistent entityApplicant, brand owner, packaging marks and platform data should relate clearly.
- ✓ Product separationConfirm in advance which specs and bundles need independent codes.
- ✓ Enough capacityBalance current SKUs against a reasonable new-product plan.
- ✓ Truthful dataNever submit false, borrowed or unverifiable information.
Common risks
A cheaply bought number is not a sustainable coding system
Product codes must track your company and products for the long term. Unclear sources, licences or allocation records can hurt platform verification, channel partnerships and later expansion.
Reusing codes
Using one number for several products creates confusion in inventory, orders and platform data.
Entity mismatch
When applicant, brand name and platform listings lack a clear relationship, further verification may follow.
Poor printing or scanning
Over-scaling, missing quiet zones, inverted colours or low-quality printing hurt scannability.
No code register
Without recording number-to-SKU mapping, growth brings mismatches and duplicate assignments.
FAQ
Barcode registration FAQ
Can one barcode be used for several different products?
Usually not. When products differ in specification, colour, capacity or packaging in a trade-relevant way, each normally needs its own GTIN, following the applicable GS1 allocation rules.
What is the difference between UPC, EAN and GTIN?
GTIN is the umbrella term for Global Trade Item Numbers, commonly 8, 12, 13 or 14 digits. UPC-A is usually 12 digits and mainly used in North America; EAN-13 is 13 digits and common across Europe, Asia and other international retail markets.
Does Amazon always require GS1 barcodes?
Requirements differ by marketplace and category, and platforms may verify GTIN against brand or product data. Some qualifying products can apply for GTIN exemption — always follow the target storefront's current policy and platform review.
How many barcodes do colours and sizes need?
Different colours and sizes usually form independent SKUs and are identified separately. For example, 2 styles, 3 colours and 4 sizes can create 24 consumer SKUs; bundles and cartons add packaging-level decisions.
Can I print the barcode on packaging right away?
After codes are assigned, generate compliant barcode artwork and check size, ratio, quiet zones, colours, print position and scan quality. A sample scan test before volume printing is recommended.
What products suit EAN-8?
EAN-8 is typically for small packaging where EAN-13 cannot reasonably fit. Availability and application depend on package size and local GS1 member organisation rules.
Can a shipping carton reuse the unit's EAN or UPC?
Not necessarily. Consumer units, multipacks and shipping cartons are different packaging levels and may need an independent GTIN or a logistics-suitable code — never a copy of the unit number.
How long does it take?
It depends on the jurisdiction, applicant documents, capacity, completeness and the issuing body's review progress. We can outline the expected schedule once the plan is confirmed.
Do barcodes expire?
Licensing, renewal and maintenance requirements differ by region. Keep entity information and related services active per the issuing body, and maintain the number-to-product mapping.
Can I buy a cheap single UPC online?
Check the number's source, licensing and platform acceptance carefully. Numbers with unclear origin or mismatched entities can jeopardise platform verification, distribution partnerships and long-term product management.
Get started
Describe your products and sales plan first, then set the barcode scheme
Tell us your target countries, platforms, product counts, specifications and existing codes. Our consultants will sort out applicable types, materials and code capacity.
provides application consulting and handling assistance only; we do not guarantee approval by any platform, retailer or authority. Final results are subject to each institution's independent review.
