What is GTIN?
GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) is the umbrella term for the entire family of GS1 barcode standards used to identify products in global trade. Think of GTIN as the parent category that includes UPC, EAN, and other barcode formats.
When someone asks for a product's GTIN, they're asking for its globally unique identifier—which could be a UPC, an EAN, or another GS1 standard depending on where and how the product is sold.
The GTIN Family
GTIN-8
8-digit code for small products (EAN-8)
GTIN-12
12-digit code for North America (UPC-A)
GTIN-13
13-digit code for international use (EAN-13)
GTIN-14
14-digit code for cases/cartons/pallets
UPC Explained
The Universal Product Code (UPC) was the first commercially successful barcode system, developed in the United States in 1974. It remains the dominant standard in the US and Canada, appearing on virtually every retail product.
UPC-A Structure (12 digits)
Where UPC is Required
- All retail products sold in the United States
- All retail products sold in Canada
- Amazon.com (US marketplace)
- Walmart, Target, Costco, and major US retailers
EAN Explained
The European Article Number (EAN), now officially called the International Article Number, is the global standard for product identification outside North America. It was developed in 1977 as a superset of UPC.
Country Prefixes
The first 2-3 digits of an EAN-13 indicate the GS1 member organization (country) that issued the code:
- 00-09: USA & Canada (UPC)
- 30-37: France
- 400-440: Germany
- 45, 49: Japan
- 50: United Kingdom
- 690-695: China
Important: The country prefix indicates where the company is registered with GS1, not where the product is manufactured.
Key Differences
| Aspect | UPC-A | EAN-13 |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 12 digits | 13 digits |
| Primary Region | USA, Canada | Europe, Rest of World |
| Year Introduced | 1974 | 1977 |
| Country Prefix | Implied (00-09) | Explicit (first 2-3 digits) |
Converting Between Formats
UPC-A to EAN-13
Simply add a leading zero:
UPC-A (12 digits)
012345678905
EAN-13 (13 digits)
0012345678905
Caution: Not all EAN-13 codes can be converted to UPC-A. Only EANs beginning with "0" (US/Canada) can be shortened to 12 digits.
Which Format Should You Use?
Use UPC-A if...
- You're based in the United States or Canada
- You're primarily selling domestically in North America
- Your retailer specifically requires UPC codes
Use EAN-13 if...
- You're based outside North America
- You're selling internationally
- Your target market is Europe, Asia, or other regions
Amazon & Marketplace Requirements
- Amazon: Accepts UPC, EAN, and ISBN. Requires GTINs from GS1 for most categories.
- Google Shopping: Strongly recommends GTINs. Products with GTINs get priority in search.
- eBay: Required for many categories; improves search visibility.
The Future of Barcodes
While traditional barcodes remain the global standard, new technologies are emerging:
- GS1 Digital Link: Embeds GTINs in web URLs, allowing QR codes to serve as both identifiers and links
- 2D Barcodes (QR, DataMatrix): Store more information for serialization and traceability
The Bottom Line: Traditional UPC and EAN barcodes aren't going away anytime soon. Focus on getting your GTIN strategy right today, and you'll be well-positioned for whatever comes next.