If you want to sell on PriceMinister, you'll need a valid EAN barcode (GTIN) for almost every product in your catalogue. In this guide we explain exactly which code you need, how to obtain it and where to buy it so you receive it by email within minutes, with no paperwork and no annual fees.
In short
- PriceMinister is now Rakuten: the French marketplace was absorbed by the Rakuten group and, in 2020, was rebranded as Rakuten in France and Spain. The barcode requirement is identical.
- You need an EAN-13 (GTIN-13): it's the 13-digit European standard and the format the platform asks for on almost any branded product.
- The EAN links your offer to a catalogue page: when you enter the code, Rakuten ties your sale to the product's existing page; if it doesn't exist, you create a new one.
- One EAN per product and per variant: each size, colour or format needs its own unique code; never reuse or share the same number.
- The same EAN-13 works for every marketplace: with a single code you identify your item on Rakuten, Amazon, eBay and any other at the same time.
- Buy them instantly from €3: at EAN CODA you receive unique GS1 codes by email within minutes, with a single payment and no annual fees.
First, an important clarification: PriceMinister no longer exists under that name. The French platform, founded in 2001 and bought by the Japanese group Rakuten in 2010, was rebranded as Rakuten in France and Spain in 2020 as part of the group's single-brand strategy. If you arrived searching for "barcode for PriceMinister", you're in the right place: when you sell, you'll do it in the Rakuten interface, but the barcode requirement is exactly the same. You can find more details in our specific guide to barcodes for Rakuten.
Do I need a barcode to sell on PriceMinister / Rakuten?
Yes. Like most marketplaces today, PriceMinister/Rakuten organises its catalogue around unique products identified by a GTIN (Global Trade Item Number), which in Europe takes the form of an EAN-13 code. That number lets your item link to the correct product page, helps buyers find it and allows the platform to manage its inventory without dispatch errors.
The EAN is a globally recognised standard identifier: it can be read by an optical scanner at high speed and prevents confusion between similar products. That's why, except for very specific categories (handmade or unbranded products), the platform will ask for it when you create the listing. If you're not sure what it is, we explain it in detail in what an EAN barcode is.
EAN, UPC and GTIN: what they are and which one you need
These terms often get mixed up, so let's clear them up. GTIN is the family that encompasses all product identifiers; EAN and UPC are specific types within that family:
- EAN-13: 13 digits. It's the standard in Europe and the most widely used in the world. It's equivalent to a GTIN-13. This is the one you need for PriceMinister/Rakuten.
- EAN-8: 8 digits. A short version for very small packaging where the EAN-13 won't fit.
- UPC-A: 12 digits. The standard in the United States and Canada. It's also valid on many marketplaces, but in Europe the usual choice is the EAN-13.
| Code | Digits | Main use | Works on PriceMinister/Rakuten? |
|---|---|---|---|
| EAN-13 (GTIN-13) | 13 | Europe and the rest of the world | Yes, recommended |
| EAN-8 (GTIN-8) | 8 | Small packaging | Yes, for compact products |
| UPC-A (GTIN-12) | 12 | USA and Canada | Yes, accepted |
If you're torn between the two European versions, in this article we explain the difference between EAN-13 and EAN-8 and when each one is best. For the vast majority of sellers, the answer is EAN-13.
The "EAN-84" myth: the country prefix is inside the EAN-13
It's a common mistake to think that an "EAN-84" exists in Spain. That's not the case: only the EAN-13 exists. What actually happens is that the first digits of the code are the country prefix, and Spain is assigned the 84x range. In other words, an EAN-13 starting with 84 simply indicates that it was assigned through the Spanish system. The full structure of an EAN-13 is:
- Country prefix (84x for Spain): identifies the origin.
- Company prefix: identifies the manufacturer or seller.
- Product reference: distinguishes each specific item.
- Check digit: the last number, which validates that the code is correct.
The country and company prefixes are managed by GS1, the international organisation that maintains the standard. A picture of an EAN-13 broken down into these four blocks helps to visualise it, although the key point is to understand that "84" is not a different type of code, but a part of the EAN-13.
How to upload a product with its EAN on PriceMinister / Rakuten
The process for linking the code to your product is simple. Although the interface may change over time, the general steps are:
- Log in to your seller account (Espace Vendeur / Seller Panel) and choose to add a product to the catalogue.
- Enter the GTIN/EAN-13 in the product reference field (it usually appears as "barcode", "EAN", "GTIN" or "product code").
- If the product already exists in the platform's catalogue, your offer is linked to its page; if it's new, complete the title, description, images and attributes to create the page.
- Set the price, condition (new or used), stock and shipping terms, and publish.
The key is in step 2: the EAN is what connects your offer to the correct page. Rakuten uses it as the catalogue key: as soon as you enter it, it searches for that GTIN among the already-listed products and decides whether your sale attaches to an existing page or whether you have to create a new one. An incorrect or reused code can cause your product to link to a different item or the platform to reject the listing.
Selling on an existing page or creating a new one
Like much of the European marketplaces, Rakuten works with a shared catalogue: a single product page per item, on which several sellers can compete. The EAN-13 is what determines which of the two scenarios applies to you.
- Existing page: if you enter an EAN that another seller (or the brand itself) has already listed, your offer is added directly to that page. You don't fill in a title or photos: you use the ones already there and compete on price, shipping costs and reputation. This is the usual case when reselling well-known branded products.
- New page: if the EAN isn't in the catalogue —because you sell your own product or a reference no one has uploaded before—, you become the one who creates the page. Here the EAN is essential: without it you can't list the product, and the quality of the data (title, images, attributes) will determine how it ranks and how future sellers will see it.
In both cases the EAN must be the correct, unique one for that item. If you use the wrong code when attaching to a page, your sales will be attributed to another product; if you invent or duplicate it when creating a new page, the platform may reject it or block it later on.
Common mistakes when using barcodes on marketplaces
- Reusing an EAN from another product: each code must be unique per item and variant. Repeating it makes two products get confused in the catalogue.
- Using "free" codes of dubious origin: they may be duplicated or blocked, and end up suspending your page when the platform detects the conflict.
- Confusing EAN-13 with UPC: remember, 13 digits versus 12. A code with the wrong number of digits will be rejected during validation.
- Failing to assign a different EAN to each variant (size, colour, format): each one needs its own, or stock and orders will get mixed up.
- Mistyping the code or the check digit: a single wrong digit links your offer to another page or gets it rejected. Always copy and paste the EAN, don't type it by hand.
- Attaching to the wrong page: if the catalogue product doesn't match yours exactly (a different edition, a different pack), create a new page instead of attaching to the existing one.
How to get the barcode for PriceMinister / Rakuten
You have two routes. The first is to register directly with GS1, which involves membership paperwork and, usually, recurring annual fees; it's the logical option for large manufacturers with thousands of references and their own brand.
The second, faster and cheaper for most sellers, is to buy the codes through a reseller like EAN CODA. We assign you legitimate, unique GS1 codes, without you having to handle the registration or pay fees year after year. A single payment, and you receive them by email within minutes, ready to paste into your listings.
To be clear: we are not GS1, but a reseller that provides you with valid codes instantly. It's the usual route for anyone who only needs a few references to sell on marketplaces.
Buy your EAN codes instantly
At EAN CODA the codes cost from €3, in a single payment and with no annual fees. You choose the quantity you need, pay by card and receive them by email within minutes. You can do it right now from our EAN code shop.
The same EAN-13 works for several marketplaces at once. If you sell in more places, you might be interested in our guide to barcodes for Amazon and the one for barcodes for eBay: with a single code you identify your product across all of them.
In what format do I receive the codes?
Along with the EAN-13 number you'll receive the barcode image ready to use. The usual formats are JPEG/PNG (compatible with any design or listing), TIFF (useful when you need a transparent background) and EPS (vector, ideal for printing and maximum quality). This way you can paste the code onto your packaging or upload the image wherever you need it.
Secure payment methods
You can pay by credit or debit card, securely and without having to provide any product details. We only need the basic information to issue the purchase; the codes are generated and sent automatically to your email.
Frequently asked questions
Are PriceMinister and Rakuten the same thing?
Yes. PriceMinister is the former brand of what is now Rakuten in France and Spain. The Japanese group Rakuten bought the marketplace in 2010 and unified the brand in 2020. If you used to sell or buy on PriceMinister, you now do it on Rakuten, with the same account and the same barcode requirements.
Is the EAN mandatory on PriceMinister / Rakuten?
For the vast majority of products, yes: the platform needs the GTIN/EAN-13 to link your offer to the correct product page. Some specific categories (handmade or unbranded products) may have exceptions, but as a general rule you'll need it, especially if you create a page from scratch.
Do I need an EAN if I sell on a page that already exists?
Yes: the EAN-13 is precisely what Rakuten uses to find that page and attach you to it. Even though you don't fill in the product details because they're already there, you have to enter the correct code so your offer appears under the right item.
Does the same EAN work for several marketplaces?
Yes. The EAN-13 is a standard international identifier, so the same code works for PriceMinister/Rakuten, Amazon, eBay and any other platform. You don't need a different code per marketplace, just one per product.
How many codes do I need?
You need a different EAN for each product and each variant. If you sell a T-shirt in three sizes and two colours, that's six variants and therefore six codes. Count your actual references before buying.
Are the codes unique and legal?
Yes. The codes we assign are legitimate GS1, unique and never reused. Each one is delivered to a single customer, so you don't run the risk of duplicates that could block your listing.
How long do they take to arrive?
Once payment is confirmed, you receive them by email within minutes. There are no waits or membership procedures: you buy, you pay and you start publishing your products.
Start selling today
Getting the barcode for PriceMinister/Rakuten is the last step before publishing your products, and with EAN CODA it's a matter of minutes. Unique, legal EAN-13 codes, from €3, single payment and instant delivery by email. Choose how many you need and buy them now from our EAN code shop.