--- title: When Are Barcodes Needed, And Where To Find Them - Blog Shoppingfeed description: This article will tell you when barcodes are needed, and which kinds of barcodes are best to use if you are an e-commerce merchant. image: https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/hubfs/Blog/US-UK/Images%20pleines/WhenAreBarcodesNeededAndWhereToFindThem.png --- [![Logos\_Centric\_Shoppingfeed\_Colour](https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/hubfs/Logo/Logos_Centric_Shoppingfeed_Colour.png)](https://www.shopping-feed.com/en/) - - [E-commerce strategy](https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/en/tag/e-commerce-strategy) - [Succeed on marketplaces](https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/en/tag/succeed-on-marketplaces) - [Trends](https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/en/tag/e-commerce-trends) [newsletter](https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/en/e-commerce-strategy/when-are-barcodes-needed-and-where-to-find-them#newsletter) - - [E-commerce strategy](https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/en/tag/e-commerce-strategy) - [Succeed on marketplaces](https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/en/tag/succeed-on-marketplaces) - [Trends](https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/en/tag/e-commerce-trends) [newsletter](https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/en/e-commerce-strategy/when-are-barcodes-needed-and-where-to-find-them#newsletter) ![](https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/US-UK/Images%20pleines/WhenAreBarcodesNeededAndWhereToFindThem.png?width=729&height=510&name=WhenAreBarcodesNeededAndWhereToFindThem.png) [E-commerce strategy](https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/en/tag/e-commerce-strategy) # When Are Barcodes Needed, And Where To Find Them Julie Stewart April 16, 2020 - [![icon-linkedin-blanc](https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/icons/icon-linkedin-blanc.png?width=48&height=48&name=icon-linkedin-blanc.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/en/e-commerce-strategy/when-are-barcodes-needed-and-where-to-find-them&title=When%20Are%20Barcodes%20Needed,%20And%20Where%20To%20Find%20Them%20-%20Blog%20Shoppingfeed&summary=This%20article%20will%20tell%20you%20when%20barcodes%20are%20needed,%20and%20which%20kinds%20of%20barcodes%20are%20best%20to%20use%20if%20you%20are%20an%20e-commerce%20merchant.) - [![x-icon-twitter-white](https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/icons/x-icon-twitter-white.png?width=48&height=48&name=x-icon-twitter-white.png)](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/en/e-commerce-strategy/when-are-barcodes-needed-and-where-to-find-them) - [![icon-facebook-blanc](https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/icons/icon-facebook-blanc.png?width=48&height=48&name=icon-facebook-blanc.png)](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/en/e-commerce-strategy/when-are-barcodes-needed-and-where-to-find-them&title=When%20Are%20Barcodes%20Needed,%20And%20Where%20To%20Find%20Them%20-%20Blog%20Shoppingfeed&picture=https://19665323.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/19665323/Blog/US-UK/Images%20pleines/WhenAreBarcodesNeededAndWhereToFindThem.png&description=This%20article%20will%20tell%20you%20when%20barcodes%20are%20needed,%20and%20which%20kinds%20of%20barcodes%20are%20best%20to%20use%20if%20you%20are%20an%20e-commerce%20merchant.) - [![icon-linkedin-purple](https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/icons/icon-linkedin-purple.png?width=33&height=33&name=icon-linkedin-purple.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/en/e-commerce-strategy/when-are-barcodes-needed-and-where-to-find-them&title=When%20Are%20Barcodes%20Needed,%20And%20Where%20To%20Find%20Them%20-%20Blog%20Shoppingfeed&summary=This%20article%20will%20tell%20you%20when%20barcodes%20are%20needed,%20and%20which%20kinds%20of%20barcodes%20are%20best%20to%20use%20if%20you%20are%20an%20e-commerce%20merchant.) - [![x-icon-twitter-purple](https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/icons/x-icon-twitter-purple.png?width=33&height=33&name=x-icon-twitter-purple.png)](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/en/e-commerce-strategy/when-are-barcodes-needed-and-where-to-find-them) - [![icon-facebook-purple](https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/icons/icon-facebook-purple-1.png?width=33&height=33&name=icon-facebook-purple-1.png)](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/en/e-commerce-strategy/when-are-barcodes-needed-and-where-to-find-them&title=When%20Are%20Barcodes%20Needed,%20And%20Where%20To%20Find%20Them%20-%20Blog%20Shoppingfeed&picture=https://19665323.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/19665323/Blog/US-UK/Images%20pleines/WhenAreBarcodesNeededAndWhereToFindThem.png&description=This%20article%20will%20tell%20you%20when%20barcodes%20are%20needed,%20and%20which%20kinds%20of%20barcodes%20are%20best%20to%20use%20if%20you%20are%20an%20e-commerce%20merchant.) We’re all familiar with UPC and barcodes that appear on the packaging of items you purchase in physical stores. But the numbers encoded in barcodes hold tremendous value in the online space too. When are barcodes needed, and how do you find them? Read on.   ## The very important function of the barcode The identifier for a product sold at retail stores is the same as the one used for selling that identical product online. In today’s global marketplace, most retailers, wholesalers and online marketplaces like Amazon require that a unique identifier be assigned to every product, no matter who is selling it. For online sellers, the UPC is the unbreakable link between online listings and physical product. It preserves accuracy in the inventory management process. It’s also the way that marketplaces track what’s being sold and who’s selling it. Amazon, Google and eBay all require you to use verifiable, authentic product ID numbers that link to your GTIN. Resellers of products already listed with their own UPC’s do not require a unique ID. They also help optimize your product’s ability to surface in the searches that come up when your customers are shopping online, because the coding process of assigning the numbers is based on product features, characteristics and variations like size and color. For the new ecommerce seller, it’s important to come up to understand barcodes, UPCs, and how to get them set up properly from the start.   ## No matter what you’re selling or where it comes from, it needs a barcode. Every product sold in a marketplace requires a barcode, even–or especially– if you make it yourself. If you are selling“private label” products, those will require a unique bar code number. On the other hand, reselling products already listed on Amazon won’t need a UPC or EAN code. If yours is a product that’s never been sold before on Amazon but you aren’t the original manufacturer, you will need to supply the UPC or EAN from them.   ## Components of a barcode **There are two components to a barcode: UPC and GTIN.** The UPC is the graphic code composed of thick and thin black lines. The product’s GTIN is the series of numbers you see below the bars and spaces of the UPC barcode. Many retailers require their suppliers to use Global Trade Item Numbers (or GTINs) in their product identification processes. These numbers uniquely identify a product whether it is listed online, or is read by a barcode scanner. A UPC barcode is encoded with a product GTIN, making it easy to track a product on its journey to a customer. Unlike a supplier’s proprietary part number, the required identifier needs to be globally unique and it has to adhere to a universal standard. In the United States , this product identifier is the UPC number (GTIN-12.) A UPC is broken into two sections: a **U.P.C. Company Prefix** and a **Product Number**. [GS1 US](https://www.barcode.graphics/gs1-barcode-service), a not-for-profit organization, is the sole authority for assigning a UPC company prefix. This informational website is furnished by [Bar Code Graphics](https://www.barcode.graphics/gs1-barcode-service/). It provides direction about the numbering and bar code requirements for retail suppliers.   #### Obtaining a barcode for your product is a four-step, easy process: Start on the [GS1 US](https://www.barcode.graphics/gs1-barcode-service) website. **Step One:** Apply for your Company Prefix. **Step Two:** Create a unique product number. **Step Three:** Lay out the display of the barcode on product packaging **Step Four:** Order your barcodes.   ## Buying barcodes vs. building them yourself Barcodes sold by third-party companies may scan just fine at the point of sale, but they won’t have GTIN encoded in the barcode that’s unique to you or your brand. Barcodes that you buy instead of using a unique Company Prefix will identify another brand owner whenever that product is scanned through a barcode reader. If where or what you are selling is brand-sensitive or you have growth plans for a brand just starting out, we recommend going directly for your own barcode. In our opinion, it’s well worth the small amount of extra effort to go through GS1 to get your own company prefix and GTIN. Get in on Google Shopping Actions! [read the guide](https://content.shoppingfeed.com/fr/google-shopping-ads) ## Julie Stewart My mission at Shoppingfeed is explaining how to leverage e-commerce platforms and SaaS technology to e-merchants who just want to run their business and make more money. - [![icon-linkedin](https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/icons/icon-linkedin.png?width=49&height=49&name=icon-linkedin.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/en/e-commerce-strategy/when-are-barcodes-needed-and-where-to-find-them&title=When%20Are%20Barcodes%20Needed,%20And%20Where%20To%20Find%20Them%20-%20Blog%20Shoppingfeed&summary=This%20article%20will%20tell%20you%20when%20barcodes%20are%20needed,%20and%20which%20kinds%20of%20barcodes%20are%20best%20to%20use%20if%20you%20are%20an%20e-commerce%20merchant.) - [![icon-x-twitter](https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/icons/x-icon-twitter-blue.png?width=49&height=49&name=x-icon-twitter-blue.png)](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/en/e-commerce-strategy/when-are-barcodes-needed-and-where-to-find-them) - [![icon-facebook](https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/icons/icon-facebook-1.png?width=49&height=49&name=icon-facebook-1.png)](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/en/e-commerce-strategy/when-are-barcodes-needed-and-where-to-find-them&title=When%20Are%20Barcodes%20Needed,%20And%20Where%20To%20Find%20Them%20-%20Blog%20Shoppingfeed&picture=https://19665323.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/19665323/Blog/US-UK/Images%20pleines/WhenAreBarcodesNeededAndWhereToFindThem.png&description=This%20article%20will%20tell%20you%20when%20barcodes%20are%20needed,%20and%20which%20kinds%20of%20barcodes%20are%20best%20to%20use%20if%20you%20are%20an%20e-commerce%20merchant.) ## to read These articles migth interest you [![](https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/hs-fs/hubfs/chuttersnap-BNBA1h-NgdY-unsplash%20(3).jpg?width=560&height=290&name=chuttersnap-BNBA1h-NgdY-unsplash%20(3).jpg)](https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/en/4-essentials-every-e-commerce-needs-for-effective-inventory-management) [E-commerce strategy](https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/en/tag/e-commerce-strategy) ### [4 Essentials Every E-Commerce Needs for Effective Inventory Management](https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/en/4-essentials-every-e-commerce-needs-for-effective-inventory-management) ⏱️Reading time: 3 minutes [![When Is It Time to Upgrade Your E-Commerce Platform? - Blog Shoppingfeed](https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/delivery-import-demand-performance-sales-online-e-commerce-production-trend-rates-recovery-income_t20_e9wYL2-560x290-landscape.jpg?width=560&height=290&name=delivery-import-demand-performance-sales-online-e-commerce-production-trend-rates-recovery-income_t20_e9wYL2-560x290-landscape.jpg)](https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/en/e-commerce-strategy/when-is-it-time-to-upgrade-your-e-commerce-platform) [E-commerce strategy](https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/en/tag/e-commerce-strategy) ### [When Is It Time to Upgrade Your E-Commerce Platform?](https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/en/e-commerce-strategy/when-is-it-time-to-upgrade-your-e-commerce-platform) Growing pains can be, well, a pain. Especially when it comes to your e-commerce platform. As your ... [![](https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Template%20Hubspot%20-%20Img%20(86).png?width=560&height=290&name=Template%20Hubspot%20-%20Img%20(86).png)](https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/en/e-commerce-strategy/when-to-consider-a-redesign-for-your-e-commerce-shop) [E-commerce strategy](https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/en/tag/e-commerce-strategy) ### [When to Consider a Redesign for Your E-commerce Shop](https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/en/e-commerce-strategy/when-to-consider-a-redesign-for-your-e-commerce-shop) E-commerce stores usually operate on a set it and forget it model. As long as your users can ... [![Common Mistakes to Avoid When Building Your E-Commerce Presence - Blog Shoppingfeed](https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Sans-titre-4-1-560x290-landscape.png?width=560&height=290&name=Sans-titre-4-1-560x290-landscape.png)](https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/en/e-commerce-strategy/common-mistakes-to-avoid-when-building-your-e-commerce-presence) [E-commerce strategy](https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/en/tag/e-commerce-strategy) ### [Common Mistakes to Avoid When Building Your E-Commerce Presence](https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/en/e-commerce-strategy/common-mistakes-to-avoid-when-building-your-e-commerce-presence) E-commerce was already on the rise before the global COVID-19 pandemic, which has accelerated its ... ![bg-newsletter-small](https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/hubfs/Blog/bg-newsletter-small.png) Newsletter Sign-Up [![Logo-shopping-feed](https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/hubfs/Blog/Logo-shopping-feed.png)](https://www.shopping-feed.com/en/) - - [E-commerce strategy](https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/en/tag/e-commerce-strategy) - [Succeed on marketplaces](https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/en/tag/succeed-on-marketplaces) - [Trends](https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/en/tag/e-commerce-trends) Follow Us - [![icon-linkedin-blanc](https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/hubfs/Blog/icons/icon-linkedin-blanc.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/shopping-flux/) - [![x-icon-twitter-white](https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/hubfs/Blog/icons/x-icon-twitter-white.png)](https://twitter.com/shoppingflux) ©ShoppingFeed - All rights reserved - [Legal Notice](https://shoppingfeed.com/en/legal-notice) - [Privacy policy](https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/hubfs/Legal/Shoppingfeed_privacy_policy.pdf) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Julie Stewart", "url" : "https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/en/author/julie-stewart" }, "dateModified" : "2025-06-20T12:13:09.429Z", "datePublished" : "2020-04-16T09:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "When Are Barcodes Needed, And Where To Find Them - Blog Shoppingfeed", "image" : [ "https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/hubfs/Blog/US-UK/Images%20pleines/WhenAreBarcodesNeededAndWhereToFindThem.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/en/e-commerce-strategy/when-are-barcodes-needed-and-where-to-find-them", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.shoppingfeed.com/hubfs/Signature%20mail/Centric_Shoppingfeed_ALL%20BLACK_v1%20(1)%20-%20386px.png" }, "name" : "Shoppingfeed" } } ```