SHYRX

GTIN and GS1 Guidance5 min read

What is a GTIN and why does it matter?

GTINs (Global Trade Item Numbers) are the foundation of product identification. Learn what they are, when you need one, and how to get them.

A GTIN — Global Trade Item Number — is the unique identifier assigned to a product so that it can be recognised anywhere in the global supply chain. You will have seen GTINs your entire life without knowing it: every time you scan a barcode at a supermarket checkout, the scanner reads a GTIN.

Why GTINs exist

Before GTINs, there was no universal way to identify a product. Retailers, distributors, and manufacturers all used their own internal codes, which meant that the same product might have dozens of different reference numbers depending on who was handling it. GTINs solved that by creating one global number per product that everyone in the supply chain uses.

The different GTIN formats

GTINs come in four lengths depending on the context in which they are used:

  • GTIN-8

    Length
    8 digits
    Common use
    Small retail items, limited space

  • GTIN-12 (UPC)

    Length
    12 digits
    Common use
    North American retail

  • GTIN-13 (EAN)

    Length
    13 digits
    Common use
    Global retail — most common worldwide

  • GTIN-14

    Length
    14 digits
    Common use
    Cases, pallets, logistics

When do you need a GTIN?

Most retailers — supermarkets, online marketplaces, wholesalers — require a GTIN before they will list your product. Without one, your product cannot be scanned, cannot be tracked through the supply chain, and will likely be rejected at the buying stage.

  • Selling through any major retailer (Tesco, Waitrose, Amazon, ASOS)
  • Exporting products internationally
  • Listing on online marketplaces like Amazon or eBay
  • Managing inventory across multiple warehouses or 3PLs

SHYRX manages your GS1 prefix and allocates GTINs automatically. It also runs format validation and duplicate checks so errors are caught before they reach a retailer.

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