N
The Daily Insight

Do I need a UPC to sell on Amazon?

Author

Mia Phillips

Updated on May 08, 2026

In order to list ANY product on Amazon youneed a UPC, EAN or similar. It does not have to come fromGS1. You do not need a UPC if you just want tosell your item under an existing listing.

Hereof, why do I need a UPC code for Amazon?

Online sellers need a UPC code because they useit in the product ID section of their new Amazon listing.Without a code in the Amazon Product ID section youcan't list your product. Amazon's only requirement is thatyou need to buy a “GS1 UPC code” tofinalize your product listing and start selling onAmazon.

Also, how much does it cost to get a UPC? Each UPC can be used to produce a specificbarcode that can then be printed out and attached to products or,ideally, incorporated into the product design so that it is easilyscanned at the register. GS1 US charges capacity-basedmembership fees that begin at $250, plus annual renewal feesstarting at $50.

Similarly, do you need a UPC code to sell online?

UPCs have a fixed length code that must beexactly 12-digits long and contain only numbers. Not for InternetSales – A UPC barcode is primarily used by storeretailers and isn't mandatory to sell a product. If yousell your products via the Internet, you don'tneed to join or pay GS1.

How do I buy barcodes?

Method 1 Acquiring Barcodes Unique to YourCompany

  1. Determine if a unique barcode is needed.
  2. Contact GS1.
  3. Join GS1.
  4. Estimate your barcode needs.
  5. Choose your membership level, based on barcode needs.
  6. Fill out the application and pay online.
  7. Create your barcodes.

Related Question Answers

How do I get a UPC for a product?

Obtaining a barcode for your product is an easy four-stepprocess:
  1. Step One: Apply for a GS1 Company Prefix.
  2. Step Two: Assign a unique product number.
  3. Step Three: Determine how your product will displaybarcode.
  4. Step Four: Order your UPC barcodes.

How do I get an ASIN number from Amazon?

The easiest way to get the ASIN is to lookat the URL. Select and Copy the ASIN number as shown in thepicture below: 2. You can also find the ASIN by scrollingdown to the Product Details section of the page.

Can I use someone else's UPC code?

unless your product is handmade it should have its ownUPC code. you can buy UPC codes and usethem, there are many posts on here about UPC codes and whereto buy them. Yes, the listing must match, in all respects, exactly.Do NOT re-use a UPC on Amazon.

How many UPC codes do I need for Amazon?

Amazon requires UPC or EAN codes.UPC codes are of course are 12-digit barcodes that aimprimarily for the US market. They ensure that each and everyproduct sold by a particular online or offline merchant havea unique numerical identity.

What is a UPC code for Amazon?

Universal Product Code (UPC) is a 12-digitbar code used extensively for retail packaging in UnitedStates. The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a uniquecommercial book identifier barcode. Each ISBN codeidentifies uniquely a book. ISBN have either 10 or 13digits.

Do I need to buy UPC barcode?

All retail UPC codes must originate from GS1, andyou may choose to purchase your UPC code numbersdirectly from them. However, GS1 requires that you purchasea minimum of 100 UPC symbols, at a minimum cost of $750.This does not include the annual renewal fee for yourUPC symbol, which typically begins at $150!

Can you make your own UPC codes?

Included are UPC & corresponding EANcodes, multiple barcode image generator tools. Onceyou own the legal rights to your UPC codes, youcan convert those UPC codes into barcode images and thenapply those to your product packaging via labels or printeddirectly on the product packaging itself.

Can two products have the same UPC code?

Since an SKU is unique to the company, the sameproduct would have different SKUs if sold by differentcompanies, but they would have the same UPC. UPCs are 12digits, numeric only. UPCs must be purchased to ensure that thesame two sets of numbers are not issued to more than onecompany.

Does my product need a barcode?

Although there is no law that you must have abarcode, most retailers and distributors will require you tohave one for inventory and sales records purposes. If you areplanning to sell your products in a retail market, youshould register your product with GS1. GS1 is a globalkeeper of barcodes.

Is a UPC the same as a barcode?

Below are both an EAN barcode and a UPCBarcode. The EAN contains a 13 digit number and the UPCcontains a 12 digit number. The GS1, the original source forbarcodes has created the confusion between UPC(Universal Product Codes) and EAN (European Article Numbers alsocalled International Article Numbers).

What is UPC exemption?

If you are a seller, reseller or importer of productsthat don't have UPC, then it is likely that you will needUPC exemption. UPC can be applied for a certaincategory of products, classified as under: Private label:Non-nationally branded product on your own company'slabel.

Do I need gs1 barcodes for Amazon?

A legitimate Amazon GS1 barcode, however, isstrictly a barcode obtained from GS1, regardless ofthe year when it was issued. Every seller is now being required toregister with GS1 to get a legitimate GTIN for each ASINthat they have listed on the marketplace.

Do all products have UPC codes?

How Many UPC Codes do I Need for myProducts? Each individual product that you areplanning on selling will need its own unique UPCCode. Each variant of product will require a uniqueUPC so products of different size and colors willeach be unique represented with an individualUPC.

Can you shrink barcode?

barcodes have a fixed relationship betweenbarcode height and width. If you need to change thesize of the barcode art, do not shrink orenlarge it - it may not scan correctly. If you need toresize the barcode art, just re-create thebarcode in the desired size.

What does the first digit of a UPC code mean?

UPC-A barcodes carry GTIN-12 numbers as definedby GS1 US. In its standard version (UPC-A), the barcode consists of a five digit manufacturernumber and a five digit product number. Inaddition there is a 1 digit number system identifierat the start of the code. 0, 1 , 6, 7 and 8 are forregular UPC codes.

What is Amazon SKU?

It stands for Stock Keeping Unit. You don't get one butit is a method sellers use to identify their products. It meansnothing to Amazon but if you have a system, it can be usedto help you locate your produce. S1 B3 Could mean Shelf one, boxthree. However once you allocate an item an SKU it can't bechanged.

How long does it take to get a UPC code?

How long does 1900 take to generate aUPC number for mobile number portability in India? When yousend message to 1900 it will take 1 min to generate yourUPC code and this code is valid for 4 days. If youwant to do mobile number porting then don't do any mistake elseyour number can be blocked.

What is a UPC on Amazon?

Universal Product Code (UPC) is a 12-digit barcode used extensively for retail packaging in United States. EachISBN code identifies uniquely a book. ISBN have either 10 or 13digits. All ISBN assigned after 1 Jan 2007 have 13digits.

What is a UPC code for music?

A UPC barcode (or Universal Product Code)is used to represent and track your music as an entirephysical or digital product, in contrast to an ISRC codewhich represents individual tracks or soundrecordings.

What does UPC stand for?

Universal Product Code

Where is the UPC code?

The Universal Product Code (UPC)(redundantly: UPC code) is a barcode symbology that iswidely used in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, NewZealand, and other countries for tracking trade items instores.

What is product ID type in Amazon?

Amazon has specific item identificationguidelines and sellers need to know the nuances of which Amazonproduct identifier applies to their goods. Amazonproduct categories will define the designated type ofproduct identifier number (Product ID) which needs tobe used when adding new product pages andlistings.

What is SKU code?

SKU is short for Stock Keeping Unit, it is alsosometimes known as the product code (not to be confused witha barcode). If you are selling products it is important to set upyour inventory management software correctly and one of the most,if not the most important, part of this setup is the productSKU.

How can I make barcode?

How to Create a Barcode List
  1. Open the Excel spreadsheet with the barcode data (e.g. a listwith article numbers) or create your own list.
  2. Open the TBarCode Panel .
  3. Mark the cells with the barcode data.
  4. Select the barcode type (e.g. Code 128).
  5. Click the button Insert Barcode . Finished!

Do I need a UPC barcode to sell on Amazon?

In order to list ANY product on Amazon +for thefirst time+ you need a UPC, EAN or similar. It doesnot have to come from GS1. You do not need a UPC ifyou just want to sell your item under an existinglisting.

Can I make my own barcodes?

If not, you can first make your ownbarcodes. If you want to print barcodes directly ontoyour packaging or other materials, you can instead get abarcode font and use that to type barcodes into yourdesigns in Microsoft Word, Publisher, Adobe PageMaker, etc.IDAutomation also offers a free Code 39 barcodefont.

How do I get a UPC for my product?

How Do You Buy a UPC Code for Amazon?
  1. Step 1: Apply for a GS1 Company Prefix. The first six to ninedigits of your barcode are your company prefix.
  2. Step 2: Assign a Unique Product Number.
  3. Step 3: Determine How Your Product will Display Barcode.
  4. Step 4: Order Your Barcodes.
  5. Step 5: Place Barcodes.

Do you need UPC for Amazon?

Amazon has simple UPC requirements to liston their platform. There's really only one requirement, youneed to buy a “GS1 UPC code” to finalizeyour product listing and start selling on Amazon. Remember,you cannot create your own Amazon UPCcode.

What does a UPC code look like?

These barcodes are in the UPC-A codeformat. It is 12 digits long and looks something likethis: The UPC number itself is referred to as the GTIN(Global Trade Item Number). The GTIN is made up of two parts: TheUPC Company Prefix and the number that you have assigned tothat unique product.

How do I get a UPC code for my album?

How to get a UPC code for your music release
  1. Apply for a GS1 Company Prefix.
  2. Assign a unique product number.
  3. Determine how your product will display barcode.
  4. Order your barcodes.

How do UPC codes work?

A UPC barcode consists of the manufactureridentification number (the first six digits of the UPCnumber), an item number (the next five digits), and a check digit(the last digit). It is the manufacturers' responsibility tomake sure each item number is unique.