The Ultimate Guide to Obtaining UPC and EAN Barcodes for Your Amazon Listing

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Importance of UPC and EAN Barcodes for Amazon Listing
3. Difference between UPC and EAN Barcodes
4. Obtaining UPC Barcodes
   • Official Site: gs1.org
   • Reseller Sites: nationwidebarcode.com
   • Cost of Barcodes
   • Getting a GTIN Number
5. Obtaining EAN Barcodes
   • Selecting the Location to Sell in Europe
   • Getting a GTIN Number
6. Barcode Requirements for Product Variants
7. Creating a GS1 Account
   • Using a DBA Name for Unregistered Companies
8. Conclusion

How to Obtain UPC or EAN Barcodes for Your Amazon Listing

If you are planning to sell products on Amazon, you need to obtain a UPC or EAN barcode as a unique identifier for your products. These barcodes play a crucial role in retail worldwide, and Amazon requires sellers to have them before listing their products. In this article, we will guide you on how to obtain UPC or EAN barcodes for your Amazon listing.

Importance of UPC and EAN Barcodes for Amazon Listing

Barcodes, such as Universal Product Codes (UPC) and European Article Numbers (EAN), are essential for product identification and inventory management. Amazon relies on these barcodes to accurately track and categorize products, ensuring a seamless buying experience for customers. Without a barcode, listing a product on Amazon becomes impossible.

Difference between UPC and EAN Barcodes

UPC barcodes are primarily used in the United States and Canada, while EAN barcodes are used in Europe. The main distinction between the two is the number of digits they contain. UPC barcodes have 12 digits, while EAN barcodes have 13 digits. It is crucial to obtain the appropriate barcode based on the geographical location where you intend to sell your products.

Obtaining UPC Barcodes

The official site for obtaining UPC barcodes is gs1.org. Alternatively, you can explore reseller sites like nationwidebarcode.com, which offer barcodes at a lower cost. However, it is recommended to obtain barcodes from the official site, as it aligns with Amazon's recommendations.

To obtain a UPC barcode from gs1.org, follow these steps:

1. Visit gs1.org and navigate to the "Get Your Barcodes" section.
2. Select the location where you plan to sell your products. For the United States, choose the "United States" option.
3. Click on "Get Barcode (GTIN) Number" to proceed.

On the subsequent page, you will find detailed information about obtaining barcodes, including pricing options. You can either choose prefix pricing, which involves an initial fee and an annual renewal fee, or opt for a single barcode with no annual renewal fee. The cost for a single barcode from gs1.org is $30.

Next, you need to provide your brand name in the designated field. Make sure to enter the actual brand name under which you intend to sell your product. It's important to note that this should be the brand name, not your company name, if they are different. For example, if your company name is "Maddix Ventures LLC," but you plan to sell your product under the brand name "Wild Gator," enter "Wild Gator" as the brand name.

After entering the brand name, you can describe your product briefly. Use a generic term to describe your product, or refer to the product naming guidelines provided on the page. For instance, if your product is an auger wrench, simply type "auger wrench" in the product description field.

Click on "Add to Cart" to proceed. If you need additional barcodes, repeat the process and add them to your cart. Once you have added all the required barcodes, proceed to checkout.

Obtaining EAN Barcodes

If you plan to sell your products in Europe, you need to obtain EAN barcodes instead of UPC barcodes. Here's how you can obtain EAN barcodes:

1. Select the location where you plan to sell your products in Europe.
2. Follow the instructions provided on the page to obtain your EAN barcode.

Remember, just like with UPC barcodes, you will need separate EAN barcodes for each variant of your product. If your product has different sizes, colors, styles, or packages, you will require a barcode for each variant. However, if you have chosen a product with limited variants during the product research phase, you should only need one or two barcodes.

Barcode Requirements for Product Variants

It is important to note that each variant of your product requires a separate barcode. To illustrate, if you have three sizes, three colors, three styles, and three packages, you will need a total of 81 barcodes to cover all the variants. This is significant to consider, especially if you are dealing with products that have multiple variations.

Creating a GS1 Account

To complete the barcode purchase process, you will need to create a GS1 account. If you don't have a registered company, you can use a "Doing Business As" (DBA) name. This DBA name should be the same as the brand name you have chosen to sell your product under. For instance, if your brand name is "Wild Gator," you can set up your account by entering "Wild Gator" as your DBA name.

Once you have provided all the necessary information and confirmed your order, you will receive your UPC or EAN barcode. Congratulations! You are now ready to create your Amazon listing, equipped with the correct barcodes for your products.

Conclusion

Obtaining UPC or EAN barcodes is a crucial step in creating a successful Amazon listing. These barcodes serve as unique identifiers for your products and ensure smooth inventory management on Amazon's platform. By following the guidelines outlined in this article and obtaining your barcodes from the official site or trusted reseller sites, you can ensure compliance with Amazon's requirements and establish a strong foundation for your e-commerce venture.