GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) is an internationally standardized identification number for trade items. It is used to uniquely identify products and serves as the basis for barcodes that are scanned in retail and logistics.
Key Features of GTIN
- Unique Identification: Each product receives its own GTIN to prevent confusion.
- Global Standard: The number is recognized worldwide and managed by GS1.
- Basis for Barcodes: GTINs are encoded in barcodes such as EAN-13 or UPC-A.
Depending on the length and application, different GTIN variants exist:
- GTIN-8: 8 digits, used for very small products (formerly EAN-8).
- GTIN-12: 12 digits, primarily used in the U.S. (formerly UPC-A).
- GTIN-13: 13 digits, widely used worldwide (formerly EAN-13).
- GTIN-14: 14 digits, used for packaging units and logistics.
GTIN-13 (EAN-13)
A GTIN-13 is 13 digits in length. It is predominately used outside North America and intended to be scanned at POS. It is synonymous with EAN (European Article Number) and is the only GTIN type that can be encoded in the EAN-13 barcode.
Example GTIN-13: 4006381333931
- The first digits represent the manufacturer (GS1 prefix).
- The next digits are assigned by the manufacturer for the specific product.
- The last digit is a check digit used for error detection.
GTIN-14
A GTIN-14 is always 14 digits in length. It never starts with a zero as the first digit. A GTIN-14 is used to identify trade item groupings (e.g., case of a product or set pack) and is NOT intended for POS use.
Where is GTIN used?
- In retail (e.g., supermarkets, online stores).
- In logistics and inventory management.
- For digital catalogs and marketplaces like Amazon or eBay.