Buy Barcodes for Amazon
We have clients on Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com and Amazon Australia selling their products, including mobile accessories, clothing, automotive supplies etc. For more examples of client’s using our barcodes on Amazon, see our Products on the Amazon page.
Please read this page carefully BEFORE purchasing barcode numbers for use on Amazon.
See IMPORTANT INFORMATION about listing on Amazon.
Watch our useful videos on listing on Amazon.
Amazon Barcode Requirements
Amazon’s barcode policy continues to change, along with variations in how strictly it is enforced. While we attempt to keep this information up-to-date, if you wish to be certain about barcode acceptance on Amazon or any other retailer, it is best to check directly with them.
Amazon uses barcode numbers (13-digit EAN or 12-digit UPC) as unique product identifiers. Then they also assign their own identification number – called an ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number).
Until a few years ago, the use of barcodes on Amazon was very uncontrolled – anyone could list any product on Amazon using any barcode number, as long as that barcode number wasn’t already being used for another product on Amazon. However, this caused problems for legitimate sellers, and some found that their number had already been stolen & used by someone else on Amazon. In late 2016, an Amazon Executive joined the board of governors for GS1, and they began implementing tighter policies, plus undertaking some ‘house-cleaning to tidy up the Amazon database. Unfortunately, legacy barcode numbers in use on Amazon conflict with the numbers we own and sell.
Checking for illegal use
We have implemented increasingly deep level searching for the Amazon databases to find these fraudulent legacy numbers to avoid problems with this. We use the Amazon APIs, which have some success with current products. But unfortunately, these are limited in how deep they search on the Amazon databases. We asked Amazon support for advice on how to search deeper, but they were unable to assist. So our tech-gurus developed some sophisticated search software that goes far beyond the traditional Amazon search options. We now have this operating on a dedicated server, searching Amazon deeply for all numbers before selling them. If it finds any of these (historic fraudulent listings using our numbers), we delete the numbers and don’t sell them. This proprietary software is much more effective than the Amazon APIs and searches much deeper than any other barcode seller.
Amazon definitely prefers barcode numbers to come directly from GS1. Unfortunately, this is very expensive, especially for smaller manufacturers as GS1 charge relatively expensive joining fees, plus annual fees for the rest of your product life, plus extra for creating barcode images (in the UK). So GS1-membership is effective for listing on Amazon, but also VERY expensive.
As mentioned above, there are thousands of products currently listed on amazon.co.uk and amazon.com using our barcodes.
Brand names
In recent years, Amazon moved to stop branded products (big brands) from being listed on Amazon using barcode numbers other than the original brand. This is possibly to stop pirating or illicit listings. To enforce this, Amazon became ‘tighter’ with barcode numbers. However, the implementation of this policy seems to vary a lot. We spoke to a customer recently who has 3 products on Amazon using our barcodes. Amazon had just asked him for further proof of ownership for one of the barcode numbers but not the others. Apparently, he provided the proof needed (of ownership), and the problem was solved. Also, we can provide documentation to our customers, if required, that demonstrates the links for their numbers back to the original GS1-licensee.
Amazon Barcode Policy
We don’t know where Amazon is heading with their barcodes policy. We hope they will be reasonable and allow people to list products using legitimate and verifiable barcode numbers (the ones we sell). However, Amazon might go crazy and become more restrictive and stop accepting our barcodes in the future – hopefully, this won’t happen.
We have customers who are continuing to use our barcode numbers to list their products on Amazon. We presume that is because if Amazon decides to check the numbers (and it is unclear whether they check many barcode numbers), then our barcode numbers can be seen on the GS1 database (hence showing that they are of GS1 origin – although the listing will show the original licensee) and also because our customers can list their product details alongside the barcode at https://barcodesdatabase.org, which also feeds to other databases … this helps our customers prove to Amazon that the barcode numbers are legitimate We can’t update the GS1 GEPIR database – no barcode reseller can do this – GS1-US don’t want any competition and hence won’t update this database.
Tips for listing on Amazon
You might need to enter our barcodes in Amazon’s system as 12-digit versions (UPC) without the leading 0. Both versions of the number are the same and belong to you, but Amazon possibly prefers the 12-digit version at the moment.
- Sometimes Amazon asks for proof of the connection between the supplier (you) and the original barcode licensee (as listed on gepir.org). We can provide our customers with a document demonstrating this chain of proof. Some of our customers have had this accepted by Amazon.
- It is possible to apply to Amazon for GTIN exemption. This allows the listing of products without a GTIN (barcode) – the process and requirements for this exemption are unclear.
- We have been advised by customers occasionally that Amazon require their website address (URL) on the barcodes invoice. Please let us know (when you purchase barcodes or later) if you would like your website address on the invoice/receipt.
- Recently (since late 2019), Amazon has tightened up on the ‘brand’ field when listing. They are pushing suppliers to register on the Amazon brand Directory (see below). However, we have been able to list products using ‘N/A’ in the brand field (as recommended by Amazon). Other Amazon suppliers report being able to use ‘Generic’ or ‘unbranded in this brand field.
It is also possible to register with Amazon’s Brand Registry, making it easier to have products approved on Amazon and reduce the occasional problems with barcodes. HOWEVER, this requires a registered UK trademark, which is expensive and time-consuming, plus it seems to take a long time for Amazon to process.
Amazon Barcodes
If you have products that you want to list on Amazon, you will need barcode numbers for them. Amazon requires a unique barcode number for each listing on its websites. Our EAN-13 barcode numbers are perfect for use as “Amazon Barcodes”. Amazon has historically advised that our Amazon barcode numbers are acceptable and meet their standards – but with the changing requirements for Amazon, this is now somewhat uncertain.
We have many customers using our barcode numbers on their Amazon products (see our products on the Amazon page). Our barcode numbers are suitable for other online shops (eg. CD Baby or Play.com), and in normal retail stores.
NOTE: You need a unique barcode number for each separate listing on Amazon. It is your choice to make separate listings for each different variation (size/colour/design) of your product or just make one general listing for your product & get your customers to specify the size/colour after ordering.
If you prefer your barcode in 12-digit UPC-A format (instead of 13-digit EAN-13 format), that is fine – just let us know when making your order – we can supply these Amazon barcode numbers as either 13-digit EAN13 barcodes or as 12-digit UPC barcodes.
NOTE: the product below is our standard barcode number, which can be used on products in retail stores and as an Amazon barcode for listing your products on Amazon. We have kept this product simple and cheap by not including the barcode images – if you are shipping the product yourself and only selling on Amazon, you don’t need to print the actual barcode on your product – you need the barcode number to enable you to list your product on Amazon. If you require the barcode images as well, please see our Barcode Packages.
“How do I use my barcode number on Amazon?”
After we receive your order, we will email your Amazon barcode numbers to you. You can then assign your barcodes to your products and start listing your products on Amazon using these barcode numbers. You can begin using your barcode numbers on Amazon straight away – all you need to do is type the barcode number into the form when making a listing for your product on Amazon. Later, Amazon will assign their own identification number – an ASIN (an Amazon Standard Identification Number) – to your product.
NOTE: If you are storing and dispatching your products yourself, you will only need a 13 digit EAN-13 (or 12-digit UPC-A) barcode number, which you can purchase above (Amazon Barcode). However, if Amazon is storing and dispatching your products for you, you will need a barcode image to put onto your product packaging or label. A ‘barcode image’ is the actual barcode picture that gets decoded by scanning machines (ie. Vertical black bars & spaces with the barcode number underneath). If you require the barcode images as well, please see our Barcode Packages.
If you need barcode images for your number, please order them here. We will send your barcode images to you via email in 5 different digital formats (eps, tiff, BMP, pdf & jpeg) – you can choose which format you prefer and put the barcode onto your product packaging or label.
Need help?
Here are some common questions:
This means that if the retailers only use barcodes for option 1, you can get away with having the same barcode for 2 product variations (i.e., different colors of the same product). However, if the retailer uses barcodes for option 2, then a different barcode will be required for each product variation.
In general, retailers prefer to stock products that will be straightforward to manage. Some retailers prefer not to stock products if they have to manually count how many are left of each size and reorder accordingly. Therefore, it is recommended that you have a different barcode for each variation.
Selling in the USA = UPC-A
Selling internationally = EAN-13
Don’t see what you’re looking for? Please take a look at our answers to common questions.
More of our client’s products listed on Amazon with our barcode numbers.
What our customers say…
“Brilliant service – thank you, was up and running (on Amazon) in 10 minutes. Thanks again – I will be definitely back for more!” Miranda.
“The first Amazon bar code you sold me for selling my DVD on Amazon has brought quite a few sales” Mike.
“Just to let you know that our first product is available on Amazon now!” Nora.
“Hi David, Many Thanks for the codes, these are for Amazon, I’m sure we will be back for more.” Tony.
“Thank you very much. I am going to add a new product on Amazon. If it all works out ok I will be back to buy more!” Louise.
We have a variety of barcode packages online.