GS1 barcodes (EAN-13 and GTIN) for products sold in India and on marketplaces

A GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) is a unique identifier used internationally to distinguish products in supply chains and e-commerce [3]. GS1, a non-profit, manages the standard [3]. GS1 India calls GTIN a blanket term for GS1 numbering codes such as UPC and EAN, and says EAN and GTIN are used synonymously [1].

For the marketplace side, see the companion guide on The Amazon India GTIN exemption.

For a brand selling framed art, boards, wallpaper or fabric furnishings, the practical point is simple. Each product you list needs its own number, and the number must be valid before packaging artwork is finalised. GS1 India says the product code in a number identifies each product or SKU [1].

GTIN comes in four lengths. Amazon India lists GTIN-8, GTIN-12, GTIN-13 and GTIN-14, and describes the check digit as the final digit calculated from the preceding digits [3]. GS1 India names EAN-8 for smaller retail trade items [1], describes EAN-13 as the format used in all countries other than North America, and UPC-12 as the North American one [1].

GS1 India describes GTIN-14 as a number for general distribution trade items that is not intended to be sold at the point of sale [1]. The table below sums up the formats.

GS1 India says an EAN-13 has three components [1]:

• Global Company Prefix (GCP): combines a country code (India's is 890) and a company code assigned to each company that registers [1]. GS1 Sweden gives the company prefix length as 6-9 digits [2].
• Product code (item reference): identifies the product or SKU [1]. The item reference length depends on the prefix length [2].
• Check digit: a single digit used to validate that the number is composed correctly [1].

GS1 Sweden's GTIN-13 guide shows the same structure. It says the company prefix is 6-9 digits and the 'serial number' (the item reference) is 3-6 digits, depending on the prefix length [2]. It also recommends numbering items in sequence, starting from a trailing 001 [2]. For the full breakdown, see how an EAN-13 number is built.

In India, barcodes beginning with 890 are issued only by GS1 India, which says it is the only organisation in India authorised to issue them [1]. Its barcode page repeats this and warns that 890 barcodes from any other company are not authorised, with legal consequences for buyers and sellers [5].

Amazon India's seller blog gives the same direction. It names GS1 India as the issuer of UPCs and EANs that Amazon accepts, and says barcodes from resellers or third-party sites may lead to listing rejection [4]. The other Amazon India page says sellers who are not exempt must request GTIN allocation from GS1 India [3].

Registration starts with GS1 India's barcode registration form [5]. The Amazon blog says you choose a licensing package by the number of barcodes you need and submit business information and documents such as PAN, GSTIN and identity proof [4]. Once verified, GS1 issues a company prefix and you generate barcodes under that licence [4]. GS1 India's own page says a company prefix follows after a few working days [1]. Check the current package options and fees on the GS1 India site, because this guide does not quote them.

GS1 India provides barcodes on a subscription basis and says licence holders need to renew in a timely way [6]. Its renewal page says renewing the company prefix keeps access to the DataKart account, ClickIt, the Smart Consumer app and GTIN validation through GS1 repositories [6]. It also says renewal avoids interruptions in your product listing process and sales [6].

The renewal page says longer renewals give greater savings [6]. It does not give the grace period, penalty or termination terms in its page text, so ask GS1 India or read its renewal fee structure document before you rely on a date.

For a brand owner the lesson is operational. Put the renewal date in the calendar of whoever owns the account and keep the registered business details current.

Amazon India says GTINs are generally required for listing, and that sellers may request an exemption in certain cases [3].

• Eligibility. One page lists private-label, handmade, generic or unbranded items, and some bundles [3]. The other says that if you are enrolled in Amazon Brand Registry you may be eligible, and lists conditions such as owning the brand, having products without barcodes, or launching new variations under an existing brand [4].
• Where to apply. One page points to Seller Central, Add products, then 'I do not have a product ID' and 'Apply now' [3]. The other points to Seller Central, Help, GTIN Exemption [4].
• Evidence. Both mention product images and brand authorisation where needed [3][4]. One page specifies clear images showing that no GTIN exists on the packaging [3].

Renewal. Neither Amazon India page says whether an exemption expires or must be renewed [3][4]. Confirm the position in Seller Central and keep your evidence files.

One Amazon page says its information may change at any time without notice [4], and the other tells sellers to refer to Seller Central for the most updated eligibility rules [3]. Treat both as a starting point.

The numbers below are made up to show how the digit counts work. They are not a quote, a licence size or a real company prefix.

An EAN-13 includes one check digit [1], so the 12-digit split below is the author's own arithmetic, not a figure from GS1. The prefix lengths of 6 to 9 digits and item reference lengths of 3 to 6 digits are GS1 Sweden's [2], and GS1 India's allocation may differ.

• 9-digit prefix: 9 + 3 = 12 digits, so the item reference has 3 digits. That allows 10 x 10 x 10 = 1,000 different item references.
• 6-digit prefix: 6 + 6 = 12 digits, so the item reference has 6 digits. That allows 1,000,000 different item references.

Now imagine a wall-art brand with 5 designs, each sold in 3 frame sizes and 2 finishes. That is 5 x 3 x 2 = 30 distinct products (the author's own arithmetic). If each is a separate SKU, as GS1 India's description of the product code suggests [1], the brand needs 30 numbers. A 3-digit item reference, with room for 1,000, is more than enough. If the brand later grows to 40 designs with the same options, it needs 240 numbers (again the author's own arithmetic), still within 1,000.

Keep a simple register of which number belongs to which SKU. GS1 Sweden advises numbering sequentially [2]. Confirm with GS1 India how its licence packages count barcodes before you plan the range.

1. Decide whether you will sell on Amazon India, other marketplaces or only offline. Marketplaces set their own rules, and Amazon's are described above [3][4].
2. Register with GS1 India if you need 890 numbers, and use only numbers issued to your company [1][5].
3. Build the SKU list first, then assign one number per SKU [1][2].
4. If a product has no GTIN and you plan an Amazon exemption, collect product images and brand details early [3][4].
5. Check that each number validates. GS1 India lists GTIN validation through GS1 repositories among the services renewal keeps open [6]. Amazon India describes the check digit as calculated from the preceding digits [3].
6. Put the renewal date for the GS1 licence in a shared calendar [6].
7. Send the final numbers and artwork to your manufacturer with the packaging brief. See private-label packaging and inserts.

For the wider marketplace picture, read Own-label home decor for Amazon, Flipkart and Myntra. For tax paperwork that sits alongside, see GST and HSN codes for frame and wall decor.

This guide is general information and not legal advice. Fees, packages and marketplace rules change, so confirm them with GS1 India and the marketplace.

When your numbers and artwork are ready, tell us in your enquiry and we will confirm what is needed in the quote. ArtzFolio is a private-label manufacturer with its working office and factory in Noida, serving businesses and brands only. Minimum order, lead time and price are confirmed in the quote, and samples are paid, with the cost possibly reimbursed or adjusted by agreement. Payment is 50% advance, with the balance as agreed, and our shipping term is EXW Noida. We aim to reply within 1 business day. See pricing, minimums and lead times or contact us.

1. EAN-13: the barcode number, GS1 India. gs1india.org
2. GTIN-13, GS1 Sweden. gs1.se
3. What is GTIN, Amazon India Seller (Amazon Global Selling). sell.amazon.in
4. How to get a product ID for selling on Amazon, Amazon India Seller Blog. sell.amazon.in
5. Get a barcode, GS1 India. gs1india.org
6. Renew barcode subscription, GS1 India. gs1india.org