Barcodes & Amazon

The different types of barcodes for Amazon

If you are looking to list a new product on Amazon and require a UPC or EAN barcode, then you have come to the right place. For any new product you wish to create a listing for, Amazon will require a unique UPC or EAN code. If you are new to Amazon, then it can be quite confusing as to what is what, when it comes to product identifiers.

Below is a brief explanation of the various types of barcodes used on Amazon:

UPC or UPC-A (Universal Product Code) is a 12-digit unique number for physical products. This is by far the most widely used barcode format on Amazon.

EAN or EAN-13 (European Article Number) is a 13-digit unique number for physical products. It is more widely used outside of USA/Canada, however, you can use either barcode format (UPC or EAN) in any Amazon marketplace (amazon.com, amazon.ca, amazon.mx, amazon.ae, amazon.co.uk, amazon.au and all other Amazon marketplaces). If you are listing on amazon.com or amazon.ca, please note that for certain categories and/or sub-categories, Amazon only accept the EAN format.

ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number) is a 10 character alphanumeric unique identifier. Once you create a successful listing on Amazon using either a UPC or EAN number - Amazon immediately issue you an ASIN number for your listing.

Amazon use this to identify each item from one another.

FNSKU (Fulfillment Network Stock Keeping Unit). If you intend to do Amazon FBA (Fulfillment By Amazon), then before you send your supply to Amazon warehouses, you will need to print the FNSKU label on your items. if you are a bit lost of when to print this and so on, contact us and we will send you step-by-step instructions for labeling for Amazon FBA purposes.

ISBN (International Standard Book Number). This type of barcode is intended to be used for books and other similar publications. For books such as notebooks, writing books, scrap books etc - these are not publications as such, so please use EAN or UPC codes for these type of books.

GTIN (Global Trade Item Number). GTIN covers different types of barcode formats. So it basically means EAN, UPC, ITF-14 etc. If a retailer (online of offline) requests from you a GTIN number, they mean a UPC, EAN, ITF-14 etc number.

There are of course many other barcode types, but the above explains the terms you will come across within Amazon and what you will need for Amazon.

What is a valid UPC or EAN?

There is a lot of discussion concerning Amazon UPCs and GS1.

Barcodes Hub is a barcode reseller. Amazon accepts barcodes that 'ONLY' originate from GS1. This means if you rent directly from GS1, they will accept, and if you buy from any legitimate barcode reseller - they will accept. However, there are some sellers - which Amazon refers to as 'third parties selling UPC licenses' - these particular ones, Amazon will not accept. Why? Because the codes DO NOT 'originate' from GS1. If the codes you are using cannot be found anywhere in the GS1 database, then Amazon can take down your listings.

All our codes originate from GS1. However, if you look up the prefix details within the GS1 database - the value returned will be that of the original owner. Your details will not show up and this cannot be changed. All our codes are previously unused and once again, Amazon accepts our codes as long as the numbers originate from GS1 and are unused. In fact, we would say of the millions upon millions of listings currently on Amazon - a fair or considerable portion of these listings are put-up by sellers using barcodes purchased from legitimate barcode resellers like us.

Why? Because using codes purchased from resellers tend to be much cheaper - short-term and long-term - than renting direct from GS1. Also, if Amazon did not accept codes from Barcodes Hub and similar legitimate companies, then we would assume there would be a lot less live listings/products currently on sell within Amazon marketplaces Worldwide - because of the high annual cost of renting from GS1 (which puts a lot of sellers off - which is why they buy UPC and EAN codes from us). 

Please note with GS1, as soon as you stop renting your numbers from them - you are required to remove your products from wherever you are using their numbers on (online and offline). GS1 will then rent out those same numbers to someone else. With EAN and UPC codes from Barcodes Hub - you own them for life, and the price is one-time only.

Amazon Exceptions and Common Errors

Now that we have explained that Amazon only accept codes that originate from GS1 (whether you rent from GS1 or buy from us), there are a few exceptions in using 'reseller codes' on Amazon.

These are detailed below:

1. If you are using Amazon's EDI system (if you don't know what this is, then you probably are not using it).

2. Products with an existing ASIN number. - this is the most common exception

3. 'certain' Trademark/Branded products or for products which already have a 'manufacturer' barcode. - certain big-brand names you cannot list. You will need to seek the barcode number and permission from the trademark/brand owner. Not sure about anything - please contact us.

4. If you are doing or intend to do Brand Registry. - Amazon have different T&Cs in regards to barcoding requirements for Brand Registry. If you have purchased from us in the past to use codes on Amazon, and now have registered for Brand Registry - no need to worry. Please email us for guidance.

About 97% of customers who buy codes intended for use on Amazon experience no listing issues. Around 3% of customers experience some kind of listing issues.

If you encounter any kind of listing issues, please kindly email us. We can suggest solutions for 99% of error messages (solutions is from feedback we got from customers over time, plus our own research).

Below are a few of the most common type of error messages you may encounter:

"You are using UPCs, EANs, ISBNs, ASINs, or JAN codes that do not match the products you are trying to list." - this is by far the most common error pop-up. This error happens if the product you are trying to list - already exists within Amazon (similar title etc). Equally, if also pops-up because of the name you have entered in the brand box. If you can send us a screenshot of the page where the error occurs, then we can suggest possible solutions.

Another common error is when Amazon is requesting GS1 information, or wants Proof of Affiliation etc - Amazon support sometimes offers contradictory advice (where one Seller Support Rep will suggest one thing, while another Seller Support Rep will say something different). We strongly recommend emailing us the exact error message that appears when trying to list, so we can suggest possible solutions etc.

Very commonly, the issue is simple a Branding issue (the name entered in the brand/manufacturer boxes or both), existing ASINs you are trying to create a new listing for, or an issue with the way you entered the Product ID.

Labeling Your Products

As there can be a number of issues that can take place, we very strongly recommend that you list your product first on Amazon and then, add the UPC/EAN barcode image to your product (not really required if you are only selling on Amazon). Taking this approach, can save you time and expense should there be any issues with your Amazon listing.

If you are planning to do Amazon FBA - this is where you send your inventory to Amazon warehouses and then Amazon ship your orders for you - then the labeling requirements are different. For FBA purposes, you must not print the UPC or EAN label on your products. Please email us for step by step instructions.