Buyer guide

Amazon India GTIN exemption: when you do not need a GS1 barcode

You do not always need a GS1 barcode to sell on Amazon India. Private-label and some other items can request a GTIN exemption, but Amazon's own pages describe the rules in different words.

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Short answer

The short answer

Amazon India says GTINs are generally required, but private-label, handmade or custom items can request an exemption [1]. One Amazon page links the exemption to Brand Registry enrolment [2]. A GS1 India licence is a separate subscription that needs renewal [3]. The Amazon pages do not describe exemption renewal.

By the ArtzFolio manufacturing team.

What the exemption is

A GTIN is a unique identifier used internationally to distinguish products in supply chains, and GS1, a non-profit, manages the global standards behind it [1]. Amazon India says GTINs are generally required to list products, and that sellers of private-label, handmade or custom items can request a GTIN exemption [1].

An exemption lets you list without a GS1-issued number. Amazon still asks for supporting material, as the application steps below explain [1]. The broader background on barcodes is in our GS1 barcode and EAN-13 guide.

Who may qualify

The Amazon pages describe eligibility in different words, so read both as guidance rather than a rulebook.

Amazon's "What is GTIN" page lists generic or unbranded products, and bundles or parts that lack a manufacturer-issued GTIN, as eligible, alongside private-label, handmade and custom items [1].
The seller blog says eligibility includes manufacturing or owning the brand, and having products that do not already carry barcodes [2].
A vendor blog lists customised products, handicrafts, private labels and business-to-business products as categories exempted from UPC, and adds that sellers still request the exemption through Seller Central. It is weak support, because it is not Amazon or GS1 [4].

If you are building your own label, our guide to private label versus reselling shows why brand ownership matters here. Selling an existing branded product that already has a barcode is a different case. Amazon says that when a product is already listed by another seller, you do not need to generate a new product ID [2].

The Brand Registry link

The seller blog ties exemption eligibility to Brand Registry enrolment, saying that if you are enrolled you may be eligible for a GTIN exemption [2]. The "What is GTIN" page is silent on it [1].

So do not assume the two are the same thing. Treat Brand Registry as a separate step to check for your own account.

How the application works

Amazon describes two paths. One says to select the "I do not have a product ID" checkbox and click Next, and that if an exemption is needed an Apply now button appears [1]. The other says to go to Seller Central, then Help, then GTIN Exemption, and submit sample images and brand authorisation if needed [2].

The "What is GTIN" page adds that your images should clearly show that no GTIN exists on the packaging, and that you may need a brand authorisation letter when selling under a specific brand [1]. Menu names can change, so use whichever route your Seller Central account currently shows.

Amazon India's seller blog also warns that barcodes bought from resellers or third-party websites often lead to listing rejection, and says GS1 India is the only authorised body issuing the UPCs and EANs that Amazon accepts [2]. Our guide on own-label home decor for Amazon, Flipkart and Myntra covers what else to prepare for marketplace listings.

Amazon and GS1 India differ on renewal

This is the point buyers miss. A GS1 India barcode licence is a subscription [3]. GS1 India says timely renewal of the barcode licence is necessary for all companies, that renewing secures your access to your DataKart account and the ClickIt application, and that it helps prevent interruptions in your product listing process and sales [3]. It also says renewing for a longer duration provides greater savings [3].

The Amazon pages say nothing about renewing a GTIN exemption, and they do not say how long an exemption lasts [1][2]. We could not confirm from them that an exemption has a renewal date at all. Neither can we say it does not. GS1 India's own home page lists Amazon among marketplaces that prefer GS1 barcodes, but it does not describe Amazon's exemption rules [5].

In practice this means two separate checks. If you hold a GS1 licence, diarise its renewal. If you rely on an exemption, ask Amazon Seller Support in writing what conditions keep it valid.

How this applies when you work with us

ArtzFolio is a private-label and OEM/ODM manufacturer in Noida, serving businesses and brands only. If your packaging will carry a GS1 barcode or you plan to apply for an exemption, say so in your first enquiry so we can quote correctly. Minimum order and lead time are confirmed in the quote. Payment is a 50% advance, and shipping is EXW Noida. We aim to reply within 1 business day. See pricing, minimums and lead times or contact us.

Questions buyers ask

Do I need a GS1 barcode to sell on Amazon India?

Not always. Amazon India treats a GTIN as the default, but it offers an exemption route for items such as private-label or handmade goods [1]. Check your category and account in Seller Central.

Is Brand Registry required for a GTIN exemption?

Not clearly. One Amazon India page says that if you are enrolled in Brand Registry you may be eligible for a GTIN exemption [2]. The other page does not mention it [1]. Check the current requirement for your category in Seller Central.

Does a GTIN exemption need renewing like a GS1 licence?

The Amazon pages do not say [1][2]. A GS1 India licence is a subscription, and GS1 India says timely renewal is necessary [3]. For an exemption, ask Amazon Seller Support in writing what keeps it valid.

Can I buy a barcode from a reseller instead?

Amazon India's seller blog says barcodes bought from resellers often cause listing rejection, and that GS1 India is the authorised issuer of the UPCs and EANs Amazon accepts [2]. If your product qualifies, an exemption request is the other route Amazon describes [1][2].

Do I need a new product ID if another seller already listed the product?

No. Amazon's seller blog says that if the product is already listed by another seller, you do not need to generate a new product ID [2]. A new private-label product with its own brand is a different case.