A Thorough Guide to Buying UPC Codes for Amazon

Are you ready to start a business and sell your products on Amazon? There are many things that you need to prepare. One of them is UPC codes.

UPC (Universal Product Code) is a barcode used to identify products. There are so many products being sold on Amazon. To make product inventory and identification easier, every Amazon product must have its own UPC codes.

Now, the question is, how do we buy UPC codes for Amazon? The process is easy, but you need to know the trick. This article will show you how to buy UPC codes so you can start selling your products on Amazon.

Buy Through GS1 or Reseller?

There are two ways to obtain a UPC. Firstly, you can buy it from the GS1 website directly. This is the safest method since you will surely get legitimate codes. You will get a standard price which can be pretty expensive.

You can buy the codes through a reseller if you want to save money. This option is cheaper, but you need to be careful because some resellers sell replicated UPCs. If you use a replicated code, Amazon will remove your listing, and there is a high chance that your seller account will be suspended. Therefore, make sure you purchase from a reputable reseller. Do your research first, and don’t get easily swayed by a low price.

Single GTIN or GS1 Company Prefix?

Now that you know where to buy your UPC code, you need to decide whether to buy a single GTIN or a GS1 company prefix. If you have a small business and don’t have many products, purchasing a single GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) is the best option. It is cheaper and doesn’t require an annual fee.

But if you have plenty of products, you can purchase a company prefix. A UPC barcode consists of 12 digits. The first six or nine digits is your company prefix, and it will be the same in all of your products. The rest of the numbers will be different in each of your products. There is no right and wrong when it comes to choosing a single GTIN or GS1 company prefix, you can select the one that suits your needs the most.

Calculate the Number of UPC You Need to Buy

The next step is to figure out how many UPC codes you need to buy. Don’t forget that the primary function of a UPC is to identify individual products. It means if your product comes in multiple colors or sizes, those variations need their own individual UPC codes.

For example, if an item has two sizes and each size comes with two color variations, you need to provide four different barcodes. You don’t have to worry about calculating the number wrong because the GS1 website has a barcode estimator to help you calculate how many barcodes you need.

There are still many other steps you need to think about after you get your UPC codes. You need to place the barcodes on your product. Make sure you follow all the steps thoroughly so that you can get the best result from your business.