The Complete Guide to GS1’s GTIN Barcodes

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GS1 Egypt

GTIN

Imagine a world where everyone speaks one language! Wouldn’t it be wonderful? We could easily understand each other, eliminate misunderstandings, travel freely between countries, and experience a sense of harmony without the complexities of various languages and dialects.

This could help us appreciate one another more and foster deeper connections.

From this vision, we set out to create a unified language for the business world. A language that’s been in use for over 50 years.

Every day, as you stand at the checkout counter, you hear the familiar “beep,” indicating your product has been scanned, identified, and authorized for purchase.

The journey began when the first barcode was placed on a package of chewing gum, marking the start of a growing chain that now includes over 6 billion products traded daily around the world!

What we’re talking about is GS1’s patented GTIN barcode.

In this article, we’ll cover what the GTIN barcode is, what the numbers in a barcode mean, how to identify a barcode, and more.

What is the GTIN barcode?

Have you ever wondered what the numbers on a barcode on the back, or bottom, of a product mean?

These serial numbers give each product its unique characteristics.

The Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) is the international barcode used in trade to identify products and services on a commercial scale.

This code is specific to products that have been assigned a price at any stage of the supply chain.

GTIN codes help standardize all trade operations, allowing you to access product information at any time, anywhere.

Each type of product has its unique GTIN barcode.

In summary, the GTIN code serves as a unique identifier for each product, much like your personal identification (ID). Its implementation has significantly contributed to the growth of business and trade over the past few decades.

How many digits are in a barcode?

After learning about the GTIN product barcode in terms of its name and purpose, you may be wondering, what do the barcode numbers signify?

The GTIN code can have different structures, but one of the most common formats in Egypt is the GTIN-13.

A GTIN product barcode consists of 13 digits.

The first 12 digits represent unique numbers assigned to your company by GS1 for your products. These consist of:

The GS1 branch code associated with your country, known as the Country Code.
A unique code for the contracting company, known as the Prefix Number.
A serial number for the products, which is determined based on the contracted category (ranging from 1 to 9).
The final digit in the GTIN code is a verification number called the ‘Check Digit. It is calculated using a specific formula designed to verify the accuracy of the barcode number and to ensure that it is correctly formatted.

It is crucial for these numbers to be distinct at both the company and product levels.

This uniqueness prevents data conflicts for the same product, an issue that often affects the efficiency of supply chain management.

If you have experience with supply chain challenges, you may have observed that many problems stem from the existence of multiple conflicting versions of data or inaccuracies in the information available.

Get GS1 barcodes today!

Generate anywhere from 10 to 10,000 barcodes in 48 hours. All barcodes are approved by the Egyptian Tax Authority within 24 hours. Learn more about our packages and services.

Advantages of using the GTIN barcode:

GS1 is the only authorized organization in Egypt that issues GTIN barcodes.

Since 1996, GS1 Egypt has assisted hundreds of companies in identifying their products. Besides numerous benefits, these companies have enjoyed increased sales as a result of partnering with GS1, along with saving time and effort while achieving unprecedented efficiency.

Use your GS1 barcode at major e-commerce platforms and retailers

Your GS1 barcode is recognized by all major retailers, including major retailers like Carrefour, Amazon, Noon, Jumia, Alibaba, eBay, and others.

Export your products anywhere around the world

GS1 Egypt is part of the global GS1 network, which ensures the effectiveness of your barcode worldwide.

Create millions of barcodes online

After purchasing a global barcode, you can create, manage, and record all GS1 barcodes for your products through a company-specific MyGS1 account.

Enjoy fast and secure features

24/7 technical support

The support team is available round-the-clock to assist you on your journey to streamline your business growth. Our team is available via chat, WhatsApp, and our hotline at 16841. You can also reach out to us via email at customer.support@gs1eg.org

Benefit to consumers

GS1 barcodes aren’t important for online and offline merchants and retailers. These barcodes benefit consumers. Barcodes offer a wealth of information about a product.

Frequently Asked Questions about GTIN barcodes

How to determine the country of origin from a barcode?

Look at the first three digits of the barcode. These digits represent the GS1 prefix, which indicates the contracting branch for each country around the world.

By reading the first three numbers of the GTIN barcode printed on a product, you can identify the country associated with that barcode.

For instance, products sourced from the Egyptian branch have barcodes that begin with 622.

In contrast, products sourced from the GS1 branch in China typically have barcodes that start with 690 or 699.

What information does a GTIN code include?

It contains the brand name that owns the product or service.
A detailed description of the product.
Its total weight.
Measurement for weight or volume.
Global classification for the product.

How can I get a GTIN barcode?

GS1 offers multiple barcode packages. Specify the number of barcodes you need and choose the best option from our available packages.

For more information, please call our hotline: 16841 or email us at customer.support@gs1eg.org

How many barcodes can I order?

You can order anywhere from 10 barcodes to 100,000 barcodes.

Learn more about our packages.

How long does it take to receive the barcodes?

You can receive the barcodes within 48 hours (2 business days).

Why do I have to pay an annual fee to GS1 Egypt?

The barcodes are owned by GS1, which means anyone using these codes is required to pay an annual fee to incorporate them on their products.