GTINs Explained

(GTIN-12, GTIN-13, GTIN-14 — When Each Is Used)

GTIN = Global Trade Item Number

A GTIN is a globally standardised product identifier developed and governed by GS1.

GS1 is a non-profit international standards organisation operating in over 100 countries. It manages the global system for:

• Barcodes
• Product identification
• Supply chain standards
• Logistics identifiers (SSCC, GLN, etc.)

Retailers, marketplaces, distributors and logistics providers worldwide rely on GS1 standards to ensure products are uniquely and correctly identified.

A GTIN identifies:

• A specific product
• In a specific configuration
• At a specific packaging level
• Anywhere in the world

If a product changes in size, quantity, formulation, colour, or configuration — it usually requires a new GTIN.

The barcode (EAN-13, UPC-A, ITF-14, GS1-128, etc.) is simply the machine-readable representation of the GTIN.

You should:

• ✔ License your Company Prefix from your local GS1 Member Organisation
• ✔ Generate GTINs according to GS1 allocation rules
• ✔ Maintain a structured internal SKU → GTIN mapping

You should not:

• ✘ Buy "cheap barcodes" from resellers or eBay
• ✘ Reuse GTINs across different products
• ✘ Assign the same GTIN to different packaging levels

Retailers and marketplaces increasingly validate GTIN ownership against GS1 databases. Using unofficial resold barcodes can result in:

• Listing rejections
• Brand registry issues
• Marketplace suspensions
• Retail compliance failures

What Amazon and Walmart Say

Amazon verifies UPCs and EANs against the GS1 database. UPCs not obtained from GS1 are considered invalid and can lead to listing removals or account suspension. Amazon explicitly recommends obtaining product IDs directly from GS1.

Walmart Marketplace also validates product IDs against GS1. Invalid IDs (including those from resellers or not recognised by GS1) result in listing removals and may cause account suspension. Walmart recommends obtaining product IDs directly from GS1.

The only safe long-term approach is licensing directly from your local GS1 Member Organisation. Find yours at gs1.org/contact. Key offices include:

• GS1 US — United States
• GS1 UK — United Kingdom
• GS1 Germany
• GS1 Australia

Length: 12 digits
Typically encoded as: UPC-A

Where It's Used

• Retail POS systems in the United States
• US-based marketplaces
• North American supply chains

Key Point

GTIN-12 is not a different system — it is simply the 12-digit representation within the global GTIN framework.

Modern scanning systems can interpret UPC-A and EAN-13 interchangeably in most environments.

Length: 13 digits
Typically encoded as: EAN-13

Where It's Used

• Europe
• Asia
• Australia
• Middle East
• Africa
• Most global retail environments

GTIN-13 is the most widely adopted global retail format.

Important Clarification

The leading digits (often called a "country prefix") do not necessarily mean the product is manufactured in that country. They indicate the GS1 Member Organisation that issued the prefix.

Length: 14 digits

Common barcode types:

• ITF-14 (very common on cartons)
• GS1-128 (used when encoding additional structured data such as batch, expiry, or SSCC)

Where It's Used

• Outer cartons
• Case packs
• Wholesale trade units
• Warehouse & logistics environments

GTIN-14 identifies a packaging level rather than an individual consumer unit.

Example

• Single retail product → GTIN-13
• Carton of 12 retail units → GTIN-14
• Pallet configuration → May use GTIN-14 + SSCC

Packaging Levels & Indicator Digit

GTIN-14 includes an Indicator Digit at the front.

Each packaging level must have its own unique GTIN.

You cannot use the same GTIN for:

• A single item
• A multipack
• A carton

Each configuration is a distinct trade item.

Selling Individual Consumer Products?

• Use GTIN-12 or GTIN-13
• GTIN-13 offers the most universal compatibility

Selling Cartons or Case Packs?

• Use GTIN-14

Encoding Batch, Expiry or Logistics Data?

• Use GS1-128 with Application Identifiers

If you plan to:

• Sell internationally
• Work with major retailers
• Distribute through 3PLs
• List on marketplaces like Amazon
• Scale into wholesale

You should adopt GS1 global standards from the beginning.

Shortcuts on barcodes always surface later — usually at scale, when fixing them becomes painful and expensive.

Build it properly once.

Generate barcodes online — free EAN-13, UPC-A, Code 128, ITF-14, GS1-128, and QR codes.

Need print dimensions? See our Barcode Size Guide for safe sizes and quiet zones.

1. What is the difference between a GTIN and a barcode?

A GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) is the numeric product identifier issued under the global standards of GS1. A barcode is simply the visual, machine-readable representation of that GTIN.

For example:

• GTIN-13 → encoded in an EAN-13 barcode
• GTIN-12 → encoded in a UPC-A barcode
• GTIN-14 → encoded in ITF-14 or GS1-128

The GTIN is the number. The barcode is how scanners read it.

2. Do I need a different GTIN for each product variation?

Yes — in most cases. A new GTIN is required if there is a change to: size or volume, colour, quantity (e.g., single vs multipack), formulation, functionality, or packaging configuration. Each distinct trade item must have its own unique GTIN. Reusing GTINs across variations can cause serious retail and marketplace compliance issues.

3. Can I use the same GTIN for a single product and its carton?

No. Each packaging level must have its own GTIN. Example: Single retail unit → GTIN-13; Carton of 12 units → GTIN-14. Retail systems and warehouse systems rely on these being uniquely identifiable. Using the same GTIN for both will cause scanning and inventory mismatches.

4. Should I buy barcodes from resellers or eBay?

No. You should license GTINs directly from your local GS1 Member Organisation (such as GS1 US, GS1 UK, GS1 Germany, etc.). Many retailers and marketplaces now verify GTIN ownership against GS1 databases. Using resold or unofficial barcodes can lead to: listing rejections, Amazon brand registry problems, retail compliance failures, and distribution delays. Direct GS1 licensing is the only long-term safe approach.

5. Is GTIN-13 better than GTIN-12?

Neither is "better" — they are different representations within the same global system. GTIN-12 (UPC-A) is primarily used in the United States. GTIN-13 (EAN-13) is the most widely used global retail format. If you plan to sell internationally, GTIN-13 generally offers broader compatibility.

6. What is a GTIN-14 used for?

GTIN-14 is typically used for: cartons, case packs, wholesale trade units, and warehouse handling. It identifies packaging levels rather than individual consumer units. GTIN-14 is commonly encoded as ITF-14 (for cartons) or GS1-128 (when additional structured data like batch or expiry is required).

7. Does the country prefix mean the product was made in that country?

No. The leading digits of a GTIN identify the GS1 Member Organisation that issued the company prefix. They do not indicate country of manufacture, country of origin, or country of sale. They simply reflect where the GTIN was licensed.

8. Do marketplaces like Amazon require GS1 barcodes?

Increasingly, yes. Many global marketplaces validate GTIN ownership against GS1 records. Using officially licensed GS1 numbers significantly reduces the risk of listing errors, brand mismatches, and product data conflicts. For brands planning to scale, GS1-compliant GTINs are essential.