If you have developed your own product and want to sell it in physical shops or on online marketplaces, sooner or later you run into the same requirement: you need a barcode for your own product. It is the missing piece that lets a supermarket accept it on their shelves or lets Amazon let you create the listing. In this guide we explain which type of code you need, how many codes you need and how to get them quickly, legitimately and cheaply.
In short
- Yes, you need a barcode as soon as you sell in physical retail, on marketplaces (Amazon, eBay) or in an online shop with a catalogue: it is the requirement for registering any product.
- The right format in Europe is the EAN-13 (13 digits), which is a valid GTIN-13 worldwide, including the United States.
- You need one code per reference, not per product: every size, colour, flavour or format you sell separately carries its own distinct EAN.
- You have two legitimate routes: register with GS1 (joining fee + annual fees, ideal for hundreds of references) or buy GS1 codes through resale (one-off payment, no fees, ideal for a few references or getting started).
- At EAN CODA you receive them by email in minutes from €3, one-off payment, with the number and the print-ready image for your label.
- The EAN does not expire and you do not have to send us any product data: it is a neutral identifier that becomes yours.
A barcode is that series of vertical lines you see on almost any item in a shop. Beneath those lines there is a unique number that identifies your product anywhere in the world. When the cashier passes it under the optical scanner, the system instantly recognises which product it is, its price and its stock. Without that identifier, your product simply does not exist for most retail chains and selling platforms.
Do I need a barcode to sell my own product?
In practice, yes. Almost every sales channel requires it in order to register an item. If you only sell handmade goods face to face, you could do without one, but as soon as you want to get into a physical shop, a marketplace or your own website with a professional payment gateway, you will be asked for it. It is what allows inventory to be tracked, checkout to be sped up and duplication between manufacturers to be avoided.
If you want to fully understand the system before going on, we recommend reading what an EAN barcode is and how its numbering is made up. It will help you make the right decision.
Which type of barcode do I need: EAN, UPC or GTIN?
There is a lot of confusion here, so let us clear it up simply. GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) is the generic name for the number that identifies a commercial product. The EAN and the UPC are simply two formats of that same GTIN:
- EAN-13: has 13 digits. It is the standard in Europe and, nowadays, the most widely used in almost the entire world. A GTIN-13 is exactly an EAN-13.
- UPC-A: has 12 digits. It is the traditional format of the United States and Canada.
- EAN-8: a short 8-digit version, designed for very small products where the full code does not fit.
| Format | Digits | Where it is used | Is it a GTIN |
|---|---|---|---|
| EAN-13 | 13 | Europe and the rest of the world | Yes (GTIN-13) |
| EAN-8 | 8 | Very small products | Yes (GTIN-8) |
| UPC-A | 12 | USA and Canada | Yes (GTIN-12) |
For almost any entrepreneur selling from Spain or Europe, the right answer is the EAN-13. It is valid throughout the European Union and accepted internationally, including the United States. If your product is small, it is worth looking first at the differences between EAN-13 and EAN-8 so you choose well.
An important note to avoid a common mistake: the country prefix (for example, those starting with 84 correspond to Spain) goes inside the first digits of the EAN-13. There is no format called "EAN-84"; it is just the country prefix assigned by GS1 within a normal EAN-13.
How many barcodes do I need?
This is the number one question for anyone launching their first product, and the answer is key: one code identifies a single reference (SKU), not a generic product. That is, each variant you sell separately needs its own distinct barcode. The rule is the same one GS1 and every marketplace apply: if two items differ in something the customer perceives and buys separately (size, colour, flavour, capacity, material), they are two references and carry two EANs.
Let us take an example. If you make a T-shirt in three sizes (S, M, L) and two colours (black and white), you do not have one product: you have six references (3 sizes × 2 colours) and therefore you need six different EANs. It is a simple multiplication of all the variants together. The same happens with flavours, formats or sizes of the same item:
- The same product in 250 ml and 500 ml → 2 codes.
- A candle in 3 scents → 3 codes.
- A cream in 2 sizes and 3 fragrances → 6 codes (2 × 3).
- A pack and the single unit of the same product → 2 codes (the pack carries its own EAN, different from the unit's).
- A pack of 3 and a pack of 6 of the same item → 2 codes (each sales format is a reference).
Mind a nuance that saves money: an attribute that is not sold separately does not need a code. If you make a mug that only exists in one size and one finish, it is a single reference: one EAN. And if you sell the same product under two brands or with two different labels, they are indeed two references.
Work out your real variants before buying. Buying too many is not a big deal (codes do not expire and have no fees), but it is worth being clear about the figure so you do not fall short when registering your listings halfway through a launch.
How to assign each code to its product
Buying the codes is only the first step; afterwards you have to assign each EAN to a specific reference and keep it recorded. The process is simple and it is best to do it in an orderly way from the start:
- Create an assignment table (a spreadsheet is enough) with one row per reference: product name, variant, internal SKU and the corresponding EAN-13.
- Pair one code with a single item and do not move it. That EAN ↔ product relationship must be stable and unique over time.
- Enter that EAN on every platform where you sell: on Amazon it goes in the product identifier field; on Shopify and PrestaShop, in the "barcode / EAN" field of the variant.
- Generate and print the label for each reference with its corresponding code and check that the printed number matches your table.
Keeping that table up to date saves you from the most expensive mistake: mixing up codes between variants and breaking the inventory when you start selling on several channels at once.
Registering with GS1 or buying codes: which suits you?
There are two routes to getting legitimate barcodes, and it is only fair that you know both:
| Direct registration with GS1 | Buying codes (EAN CODA) | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Joining fee + annual fees | One-off payment, no fees |
| Prefix | Your own company prefix | Assigned GS1 codes (resale) |
| Ideal for | Hundreds or thousands of references | A few references or getting started |
| Speed | Registration procedure | Delivered by email in minutes |
The underlying difference is the cost model and the ownership of the prefix. If you register directly with GS1, you get your own company prefix in your name, but you pay a joining fee and, above all, annual fees that renew every year for as long as you keep the licence, usually tiered according to your turnover or the number of codes. It makes sense when you are going to manage hundreds or thousands of references on an ongoing basis.
If you buy codes through resale, you make a one-off payment, with no annual fees: the EAN becomes yours and you never pay for it again. It is the logical option when you have few references, are just starting out or want to validate a product without taking on a recurring cost.
Let us be transparent: at EAN CODA we are not GS1 directly; we assign you legitimate GS1 codes that come from prefixes issued by GS1, under a resale model. For the vast majority of marketplaces and shops, an EAN like this is perfectly valid, scans the same and works just as well. If you only need a few codes, buying them saves you the GS1 registration and the annual fees.
And here is the honest part that you are not always told: if your goal is to enter Amazon Brand Registry or if a large chain expressly demands a prefix in your name, the right thing is to register directly with GS1. Brand Registry relies on your registered trademark, not on who issued the EAN, but some Amazon programmes and account audits verify that the code's prefix appears in your company's name in the GS1 database (GEPIR). A resale EAN works to create and sell listings in practically every case, but it will not appear in your name in GEPIR. If that point is critical for your brand, go to GS1; if you only need to sell, resale codes sort out your day to day.
How to get your barcode step by step
The process with EAN CODA is designed so you can sort it out today:
- Work out how many you need based on your references (remember: one per variant).
- Place the order on our website indicating the quantity. You do not have to send us any product details: the code is a neutral identifier.
- Pay securely by card. From €3, one-off payment, no annual fees.
- Receive them by email in minutes: you get the EAN-13 number together with the print-ready barcode image.
You will not lose days waiting: as soon as payment is confirmed, you receive your codes in your inbox and you can start labelling and creating your sales listings.
Buy my EAN barcodes now and receive them by email in minutes.
What exactly do I receive and in what format?
With each code you receive two things: the EAN-13 number (the 13 digits) and an image file of the barcode ready to print on your label. The lines and the number must be printed with enough sharpness and contrast (dark bars on a light background) so that any optical scanner reads them without errors.
So that it scans first time, bear in mind some printing guidelines set by the GS1 standard itself:
- Size: the EAN-13 has a nominal size of around 37.29 × 25.93 mm at 100%. You can reduce it down to 80% or enlarge it up to 200%, but do not shrink it beyond that minimum or the scanner will start to fail.
- Contrast: dark bars (ideally black) on a light background (ideally white). Avoid printing the bars in red or on dark or metallic backgrounds, because many scanners will not read them.
- Quiet zone: leave a white margin on the sides of the code (the "ears" with the greater-than/less-than symbol). Do not place text or graphics right next to the bars.
- Resolution: print at 300 dpi as a minimum. If your printer asks you for a vector format so as not to lose quality when enlarging, tell us and we will guide you.
Before printing the full run of labels, print a test one and scan it with a phone app or a real scanner. It is the cheapest way to detect a blurry, compressed or too-small code before it reaches the shelf.
Where can I sell my product with the code?
Once you have the EAN, your product can enter almost any channel, both in physical retail and in online selling:
- Amazon: you need the EAN to create the listing. We explain it in barcodes for selling on Amazon and in the guide on how to upload your product to Amazon with the EAN.
- eBay and other international marketplaces (Rakuten, AliExpress, Google Shopping). If you sell there, check our guide on barcodes for eBay.
- Your own online shop: you can add the EAN code in Shopify or use EAN codes in PrestaShop. The EAN feeds your catalogue, your Google Shopping feeds and your stock control.
- Physical shops, supermarkets and large retailers: they require the code to register your item in their management system (POS and central purchasing). Without an EAN, the shelf is not viable: it is what allows checkout charging and automatic restocking.
- Distributors and wholesalers: they will also ask you for the EAN to register your product in their warehouse and on their delivery notes before reselling it to their network of shops.
The big advantage is that the same EAN-13 works for all those channels at once: you do not need one code for the physical shop and another for Amazon. One reference, one code, and you use it everywhere.
Common mistakes when adding a barcode to your product
- Using the same code for several variants: it breaks the inventory. One reference, one code.
- Reusing an old EAN from a discontinued product for a new one: each code must identify a single item over time.
- Printing the code too small or blurry, so that the scanner cannot read it.
- Buying too few without counting the variants and having to order again halfway through the launch.
Frequently asked questions
Does the barcode expire?
No. The EAN you buy is yours and has no expiry date or annual fees. Once assigned to your product, it remains valid for as long as you sell that item.
Is the EAN code valid across the EU and the rest of the world?
Yes. The EAN-13 is the European standard and is accepted internationally, including the US market, where it coexists with the UPCs. It is the most universal format for selling inside and outside Europe.
Does it work for Amazon?
Yes. For most categories, Amazon asks for a valid EAN or UPC to create the product listing, and the codes we deliver meet that requirement. You have the details of the process in our guide to barcodes for Amazon.
Can I reuse a code for another product?
It is not advisable. Each code must identify a single reference. If you launch a different product, assign it its own EAN to avoid inventory conflicts on the platforms.
Do I need a code for each product?
One for each reference, not for each generic product. If a product has variants (size, colour, flavour, format), each variant needs its own distinct EAN. Multiply all the variants together to know how many to buy.
Do I have to register with GS1 or is buying the codes enough?
It depends on the volume. If you are going to manage hundreds or thousands of references, or you need a prefix in your name, direct registration with GS1 and its annual fees is the way to go. If you have few references or are just starting out, buying GS1 codes through resale is cheaper (one-off payment, no fees) and works on practically every channel.
Does a resale code work for Amazon Brand Registry?
For creating and selling listings on Amazon, yes. Brand Registry is based on your registered trademark, not on who issued the EAN. However, if Amazon or an audit require the code's prefix to appear in your name in the GS1 database (GEPIR), then you need direct registration with GS1. For day-to-day selling, a resale EAN does the job.
Do I have to send you my product details?
No. The EAN is a neutral numeric identifier: you only tell us how many codes you want. After that, you are the one who assigns each EAN to its reference and registers it on your sales platforms. We do not need to know what the product is.
Get your barcodes today
Adding a barcode to your own product does not have to be expensive or slow. Work out your references, place the order and receive your certified EAN-13s by email in minutes. From €3, one-off payment and no annual fees.
Buy my EAN barcodes and start selling your product on any channel.