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.
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. That is, each variant you sell separately needs its own distinct barcode.
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. 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 pack and the single unit of the same product → 2 codes (the pack carries its own EAN).
Work out your real variants before buying. Buying too many is not a big deal (codes do not expire), but it is worth being clear about the number so you do not fall short when registering your listings.
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 |
Let us be transparent: at EAN CODA we are not GS1 directly; we assign you legitimate GS1 codes under a resale model. For the vast majority of marketplaces and shops, an EAN like this is perfectly valid and works just as well. If you only need a few codes, buying them saves you the GS1 registration and the annual fees.
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.
For professional printing, a high resolution is advisable. If your printer asks you for a specific format (for example, vector so you do not lose quality when enlarging), tell us and we will guide you. The important thing is that the code is not blurry, compressed or too small on the final label.
Where can I sell my product with the code?
Once you have the EAN, your product can enter almost any channel:
- 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.
- Physical shops and large retailers, which require the code to enter your item into their system.
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. If a product has variants (size, colour, flavour, format), each variant needs its own distinct EAN.
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.