Key takeaways
- An EAN number is a 13-digit product barcode number (GTIN-13) issued through GS1; its prefix shows the issuing GS1 office, not where a product was made.
- Each product version needs its own code, and codes must never be reused for a different product.
- Buy codes from your local GS1 office: GS1 UK starts at £50 a year for 10 codes, and GS1 US sells single codes for $30.
In short: An EAN number (European Article Number) is a 13-digit product barcode number used to identify retail products worldwide. It is also called a GTIN-13. You usually need one for each product version you sell through retailers or marketplaces such as Amazon. You get genuine codes by joining a GS1 Member Organization, such as GS1 UK or GS1 US.
Updated October 2026: We added a quick-facts table, a table of GS1 prefixes (often called country codes) and more on how barcode scanners read EAN codes. GS1 UK and GS1 US prices were checked this month.
| EAN quick facts | Answer |
|---|---|
| Full name | European Article Number (EAN), now officially International Article Number |
| Length | 13 digits (EAN-13); 8 digits for very small products (EAN-8) |
| Also called | GTIN-13, EAN code, barcode number |
| Who issues it | GS1 Member Organizations, such as GS1 UK and GS1 US |
| Price | From £50 a year for 10 codes (GS1 UK) or $30 for one code (GS1 US) |
| Who requires it | Most retailers, and Amazon for most categories |
| Can you reuse it? | No, never for a different product |
Most people know EAN numbers as the barcode on a box. For an ecommerce seller, they do much more. They link each product to your inventory, your listings and your sales data.
What is an EAN number?
The European Article Number (EAN) is a unique product identifier that point-of-sale systems and marketplaces can scan or read. GS1, the global standards body, manages the system.
You may see it under other names:
- EAN code or EAN-13
- International Article Number (the official name today)
- GTIN-13 (Global Trade Item Number, 13 digits)
- Barcode number or product code
The number is printed as a barcode of black bars and white spaces, with the digits shown underneath. Barcode scanners at checkouts and in warehouses read the bars and turn them back into digits. If a scan fails, staff can type the printed digits in by hand. Retailers, marketplaces and logistics firms use these codes to manage stock, track sales and speed up checkout.
How is an EAN-13 code structured?
An EAN-13 barcode consists of 13 digits in four parts: a GS1 prefix, a company number, a product number and a check digit.
| Part | Length | What it shows |
|---|---|---|
| GS1 prefix | First 2 or 3 digits | The GS1 Member Organization that issued the number (for example, 50 for GS1 UK) |
| Company number | Varies | Your business. Together with the prefix, it forms your GS1 Company Prefix |
| Product number | Varies | The specific item. You assign it yourself |
| Check digit | Last digit | A calculated digit that confirms the code was scanned or typed correctly |
The prefix does not tell you where a product was made. GS1 UK confirms it only shows where the number was issued. A UK company can sell a product made in China with a code that starts with 50.
Are the first digits of an EAN a country code?
No. People often call the first digits "country codes", but GS1 says its prefixes do not identify a product's country of origin. They only show which GS1 Member Organization issued the number.
Here are some common prefix ranges from GS1's published prefix list:
| Prefix range | Issued by |
|---|---|
| 001–019, 030–039, 060–139 | GS1 US (main ranges) |
| 300–379 | GS1 France |
| 400–440 | GS1 Germany |
| 500–509 | GS1 UK |
| 680–681, 690–699 | GS1 China |
| 800–839 | GS1 Italy |
| 840–849 | GS1 Spain |
| 870–879 | GS1 Netherlands |
| 978–979 | Bookland: books with an ISBN |
So a product made in Vietnam can carry a 400 prefix if a German company registered it with GS1 Germany. Books are the exception to the company-prefix model: their 13-digit ISBN is used as the barcode number.
What is the difference between EAN, UPC and GTIN?
GTIN is the umbrella term. EAN-13 and UPC-A are two barcode formats that carry a GTIN.
| GTIN type | Barcode format | Where it is mainly used |
|---|---|---|
| GTIN-8 | EAN-8 | Very small products, mostly outside North America |
| GTIN-12 | UPC-A | Retail products, mainly in the US and Canada |
| GTIN-13 | EAN-13 | Retail products, mainly outside North America |
| GTIN-14 | Usually ITF-14 or GS1-128 | Cases and outer boxes, not scanned at the till |
Since the "Sunrise 2005" project, retail systems in North America can read both UPC and EAN codes. So a code from GS1 UK works in the US, and a code from GS1 US works in Europe. GS1 UK states that its numbers can be used in any country where you sell.
When can you use an EAN-8 code?
You can use an EAN-8 only when a product is too small for an EAN-13 barcode. GS1 assesses each request before it issues one.
GS1 Netherlands, for example, allows an EAN-8 when at least one of these is true:
- The total printable area of the pack is smaller than 80 cm².
- The largest label space on the pack is smaller than 40 cm².
- The product is a cylinder less than 30 mm in diameter.
For many small items, GS1 now suggests a GS1 QR code that carries an EAN-13 instead.
Do you need an EAN number?
Usually, yes, if you sell through retailers or large marketplaces. The law rarely requires a barcode, but most sales channels do.
- Retailers: most require a GS1 barcode before they will stock your product.
- Amazon: for most categories, you must enter a GTIN (such as an EAN or UPC) to create a new listing. Amazon treats a GTIN as invalid if it is not issued by GS1 or not recognized by the brand owner.
- Amazon GTIN exemption: if your product has no barcode, for example some private-label or handmade goods, you can apply for an exemption. Amazon grants it per brand and per category.
- Your own webshop: a code is optional, but it helps with product feeds such as Google Shopping.
Amazon then gives each product its own internal ID. Read more in our guide: What is an Amazon ASIN Number and How to Find it?. If you plan to use Amazon's warehouses, see what Amazon FBA is and how it works.
Do you need a separate EAN for each product version?
Yes. Each distinct version of a product needs its own code.
GS1 US gives sizes, flavors and packaging styles as examples. In practice, you need a new code for each:
- Size or weight (500 ml and 1 liter)
- Color or style
- Flavor or scent
- Pack type or pack count (a single item and a 6-pack)
This lets you and your sales channels track stock and sales for each version. If only the artwork changes and the product itself stays the same, check the GS1 rules for your sector before you assign a new code.
How do you get EAN codes for your products?
You get them from a GS1 Member Organization in your country. Here is the process:
- Count your products. List every version that needs a code, and allow room to grow.
- Join your local GS1 Member Organization. In the UK, that is GS1 UK. In the US, it is GS1 US.
- Get your GS1 Company Prefix or single codes. A prefix lets you create a block of codes. Some GS1 offices also sell single codes.
- Assign a code to each product. Record which code belongs to which item.
- Print and test your barcodes. Follow GS1 size and print guidance so scanners can read them.
Be careful with cheap codes from resellers. GS1 US warns that codes from unauthorized third parties may already be linked to another company. Marketplaces and retailers may then reject them.
How much do EAN codes cost?
The price depends on your GS1 office, your turnover and how many codes you need. These are the published prices as of October 2026.
GS1 UK charges an annual fee based on turnover (excluding VAT):
| Annual turnover | Annual fee | GTIN-13s included |
|---|---|---|
| Up to £99,999 | £50 | 10 |
| £100,000 to £499,999 | £100 | 100 |
| £500,000 to £999,999 | £130 | 1,000 |
| £1m to £9,999,999 | £200 | 1,000 |
| £10m to £49,999,999 | £450 | 10,000 |
Higher bands run from £1,750 to £4,250 a year. Extra codes start at £25 a year for 10.
GS1 US offers two options:
| Option | Initial fee | Annual renewal |
|---|---|---|
| 1 single GTIN | $30 | None |
| Company Prefix, 10 products | $250 | $50 |
| Company Prefix, 100 products | $750 | $150 |
| Company Prefix, 1,000 products | $2,500 | $500 |
A single GTIN suits a seller with only a few products. A Company Prefix makes more sense if you plan to grow your range.
Can you reuse an EAN code?
No. Once you assign a code to a product, you should never give it to a different product.
This GS1 rule has applied worldwide since January 1, 2019. It holds even after you stop selling the old product. Old codes can still sit in retailer and marketplace databases, so reuse causes listing errors.
What are common EAN code mistakes to avoid?
The most common mistakes are using codes not issued by GS1, sharing one code across versions and printing barcodes badly.
- Buying codes from unofficial resellers: they may already belong to another company.
- Using one code for several versions: sizes and colors then get mixed up in stock and sales data.
- Reusing codes: a discontinued product's code must stay retired.
- Poor printing: a barcode that is too small, too light or cut off may not scan.
- Messy records: keep a list of which code belongs to which product.
Is an EAN number the same as a VAT number or customs code?
No. An EAN identifies a product. It plays no part in your tax registrations.
- A VAT number identifies your business for VAT.
- A commodity code (HS code) classifies goods for customs duty.
- An EAN identifies a single product for sales and stock.
If you sell across borders, you may need all three. For Amazon sellers who store stock in Europe, our guide to Amazon FBA VAT in Europe explains the VAT side.
What should you do next?
List your product versions, get codes from your local GS1 office and assign one code to each version. Then keep a clear record so you never reuse a code.
EAN codes aren't mandatory for all products. But they help you meet retailer and marketplace requirements and keep your stock data clean.
Related guides:
- What is an ASIN? How Amazon links your EAN to its own product code.
- What is Amazon FBA? Prep and barcode rules for Amazon's warehouses.
- Taxually for ecommerce: VAT registrations, calculations and returns for online sellers.
Book a free call with one of our VAT experts to find solutions for your business, manage your VAT costs, and sell to new customers.
Sources
- GS1 UK: membership plans and annual fees
- GS1 UK: what barcode prefixes do and don't show
- GS1 UK: can I reuse barcode numbers?
- GS1 US: how to get UPC barcodes (pricing)
- GS1 US: what is a GTIN?
- GS1 Netherlands: GTIN-8/EAN-8 criteria
- GS1 Canada: GTIN non-reuse standard
- GS1 Global (gs1.org/prefixes): list of GS1 prefixes
- Amazon Seller Central: provide product IDs (GTINs) for listings
How Taxually handles this
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Related guides
Frequently asked questions
What is an EAN number?
An EAN number (European Article Number) is a 13-digit product barcode number used to identify retail products worldwide. It is also called a GTIN-13 or International Article Number.
What does EAN stand for?
EAN stands for European Article Number. Its official name today is International Article Number, but EAN is still the common term.
Do I need an EAN number for each variation of my product?
Yes. Each distinct version, such as a different size, color, flavor or pack type, needs its own code.
How can I get an EAN code?
Join your local GS1 Member Organization, such as GS1 UK or GS1 US. You then get a GS1 Company Prefix or single codes and assign one code to each product.
How much does an EAN code cost?
GS1 UK charges from £50 a year (excluding VAT) for 10 codes for businesses with turnover up to £99,999. GS1 US charges $30 for a single GTIN with no renewal fee, or $250 plus $50 a year for a 10-product Company Prefix.
Are EAN codes mandatory for selling online?
Not by law in most cases. But most retailers require them, and Amazon requires a GTIN for most categories unless you get a GTIN exemption for your brand and category.
Can I reuse EAN codes for new products?
No. Since January 1, 2019, GS1 rules say a code assigned to a product must never be reassigned to another product, even after the first one is discontinued.
Is the EAN prefix a country code?
No. The first digits show which GS1 Member Organization issued the number, for example 500–509 for GS1 UK. GS1 says prefixes do not identify a product's country of origin.
Can US barcode scanners read EAN codes?
Yes. Since the "Sunrise 2005" project, retail systems in North America can read both UPC and EAN codes, so a code from GS1 UK also works in the US.
