What is an EAN code? The abbreviation EAN code stands for“European Article Number Code” and replaced the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) in 2009. The EAN is an internationally unique product identifier for commercial items. The number consists of 8 or 13 digits. The first 2 or 3 or 7, 8 or 9 digits are managed by the GS1 Group and issued to manufacturers on request as a “Global Location Number”.
The EAN/GTIN is usually printed on the product packaging in the form of a machine-readable barcode and can be decoded by barcode scanners. The GS1 prefix does not serve as a country code, but is merely assigned to the local GS1 organizations. Buyers of EAN codes always receive a company identifier consisting of the GS1 prefix and the company number behind it.
Buy EAN for Amazon
A new product on Amazon can only be created with a valid EAN number. There are many sellers who sell individual EAN codes and advertise that the codes can also be used for Amazon. This seems particularly lucrative for smaller retailers and Amazon FBA beginners because the costs for EAN packages at GS1 Germany are significantly higher than those for individual EANs.
The only valid EAN codes are issued exclusively by GS1. EANs on other websites have already been registered with GS1 by other companies. This can be checked via the GS1 GEPIR service. The use of EAN codes that have already been purchased can lead to problems during use and to the subsequent deletion of the Amazon listing. The use of EAN codes that have already been registered means that it is not possible to identify items without overlaps and there may be overlaps when using the codes.
When purchasing EAN codes, it is not relevant from which GS1 office they are purchased. As a German Amazon retailer, it is possible to purchase valid EANs in the Netherlands at better conditions than from GS1 Germany. The GS1 prefix only serves as a company identifier and not, as is often wrongly assumed, as a country identifier.