Global Trade Item Number
Encyclopedia
Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) is an identifier
for trade item
s developed by GS1
(comprising among others of the former EAN International and Uniform Code Council) . Such identifier
s are used to look up product information in a database (often by inputting the number through a bar code scanner pointed at an actual product) which may belong to a retailer, manufacturer, collector, researcher, or other entity. The uniqueness and universality of the identifier
is useful in establishing which product in one database corresponds to which product in another database, especially across organizational boundaries.
GTIN is an "umbrella" term used to describe the entire family of GS1 data structures for trade items (products and services) identification. GTINs may be 8, 12, 13 or 14 digits long, and can be constructed using any of four numbering structures, depending upon the exact application. GTIN-8s will be encoded in an EAN-8 bar code. GTIN-12s may be shown in UPC-A, ITF-14, or GS1-128 bar codes. GTIN-13s may be encoded in EAN-13, ITF-14
or GS1-128
bar codes, and GTIN-14s may be encoded in ITF-14
or GS1-128
bar codes. The choice of bar code will depend on the application; for example, items to be sold at a retail establishment should be marked with EAN-8
, EAN-13
, UPC-A
or UPC-E bar codes.
The EAN-8 code is an eight-digit bar code used usually for very small articles, such as chewing gum
, where fitting a larger code onto the item would be difficult. Note: the equivalent UPC small format barcode, UPC-E, does not form part of the GTIN system, but should be processed by performing zero-expansion to form the equivalent UPC-A
as a part of conversion to GTIN-12. However, most applications can work with UPC-E internally without conversion to GTIN-12 if GTIN-8s do not need to be supported.
The numbering structure is as follows:
All books and serial publications sold internationally (including those in U.S. stores) have GTIN (GTIN-13) codes. The book codes are either constructed by prefixing the old ISBN 10 number with 978, and recalculating the trailing check digit
, or from 1 January 2007 issued as thirteen digits starting with 978 (eventually 979 as the 978 ranges are used up).
Since each type of trade item is given its own GTIN, it may be helpful to note that the term trade item refers to any product or service upon which there is a need to retrieve pre-defined information; this product or service may be priced, ordered, or invoiced at any point in the supply chain
. This includes individual items as well as all of their different packaging configurations.
In February 2005, employees and booksellers of Barnes & Noble
were informed that beginning at the end of March, their computer systems were going to add the ability to search by EAN to facilitate a switch over to the EAN (sometimes called ISBN 13 when used for books) from the current standard of ISBN 10 codes. Receipts will now list the EAN number, rather than the ISBN 10 number. Since all existing 10-digit ISBN codes are mapped to a subset of the space of 13-digit EANs, booksellers' computer systems will still be able to search by ISBN (and UPC
in the music departments) to help booksellers locate older books that have not been assigned an EAN.
By January 1, 2005 the U.S. ISBN agency requires publishers be able to communicate ISBNs as GTIN-13s. The new 979 prefix for publications will be available on January 1, 2007 or upon eventual assignment of the last 978 prefix.
Some special ranges exist. The usage for some is GS1 Member Organisation (GS1 MO) specific:
(Note: These values refer to GTIN-13/EAN. For UPC the ranges are "20 – 29" etc., for GTIN-14 "0020 – 0029" etc. Restricted distributions are often assigned for retailer use, especially for products which are packaged and labelled in stores in variable weight or quantity with the weight, quantity or price embedded into the barcode.)
, UPC, has been a dominant product identification standard in North America
since it was established in the 1970s. It is a 12 digit code, unique to a product, which allows it to be scanned and read in virtually any major retail establishment. An 8 digit "zero-compressed" version is available for items which are too small to allow a 12 digit version to be printed.
The European Article Number
, EAN, is an expanded UPC with 13 digits, the first three are the country code. It is widely used throughout the rest of the world. A UPC formed in the United States can be transformed into an EAN by prefixing it with a zero.
The Global Trade Item Number, GTIN-14, expands to a 14th digit with the new digit providing a level of packing. An example of usage would be for a carton containing identical items. It could be identified with a GTIN carton level indicator.
Identifier
An identifier is a name that identifies either a unique object or a unique class of objects, where the "object" or class may be an idea, physical [countable] object , or physical [noncountable] substance...
for trade item
Trade item
The term trade item refers to any item upon which there is a need to retrieve pre-defined information and that may be priced or ordered or invoiced at any point in any supply chain....
s developed by GS1
GS1
Founded in 1977, GS1 is an international not-for-profit association dedicated to the development and implementation of global standards and solutions to improve the efficiency and visibility of supply and demand chains globally and across multiple sectors...
(comprising among others of the former EAN International and Uniform Code Council) . Such identifier
Identifier
An identifier is a name that identifies either a unique object or a unique class of objects, where the "object" or class may be an idea, physical [countable] object , or physical [noncountable] substance...
s are used to look up product information in a database (often by inputting the number through a bar code scanner pointed at an actual product) which may belong to a retailer, manufacturer, collector, researcher, or other entity. The uniqueness and universality of the identifier
Identifier
An identifier is a name that identifies either a unique object or a unique class of objects, where the "object" or class may be an idea, physical [countable] object , or physical [noncountable] substance...
is useful in establishing which product in one database corresponds to which product in another database, especially across organizational boundaries.
GTIN is an "umbrella" term used to describe the entire family of GS1 data structures for trade items (products and services) identification. GTINs may be 8, 12, 13 or 14 digits long, and can be constructed using any of four numbering structures, depending upon the exact application. GTIN-8s will be encoded in an EAN-8 bar code. GTIN-12s may be shown in UPC-A, ITF-14, or GS1-128 bar codes. GTIN-13s may be encoded in EAN-13, ITF-14
ITF-14
ITF-14 is the GS1 implementation of an Interleaved 2 of 5 bar code to encode a Global Trade Item Number. ITF-14 symbols are generally used on packaging levels of a product, such as a case box of 24 cans of soup...
or GS1-128
GS1-128
GS1-128 is an application standard of the GS1 implementation using the Code 128 barcode specification. The former correct name was UCC/EAN-128. Other no longer used names have included UCC-128 and EAN-128...
bar codes, and GTIN-14s may be encoded in ITF-14
ITF-14
ITF-14 is the GS1 implementation of an Interleaved 2 of 5 bar code to encode a Global Trade Item Number. ITF-14 symbols are generally used on packaging levels of a product, such as a case box of 24 cans of soup...
or GS1-128
GS1-128
GS1-128 is an application standard of the GS1 implementation using the Code 128 barcode specification. The former correct name was UCC/EAN-128. Other no longer used names have included UCC-128 and EAN-128...
bar codes. The choice of bar code will depend on the application; for example, items to be sold at a retail establishment should be marked with EAN-8
EAN 8
An EAN-8 is a barcode and is derived from the longer European Article Number code. It was introduced for use on small packages where an EAN-13 barcode would be too large; for example on cigarettes, pencils , and chewing gum packets.EAN-8 barcodes may be used to encode GTIN-8s which are another set...
, EAN-13
European Article Number
An EAN-13 barcode is a 13 digit barcoding standard which is a superset of the original 12-digit Universal Product Code system developed in the United States...
, UPC-A
Universal Product Code
The Universal Product Code is a barcode symbology , that is widely used in North America, and in countries including the UK, Australia, and New Zealand for tracking trade items in stores. Its most common form, the UPC-A, consists of 12 numerical digits, which are uniquely assigned to each trade item...
or UPC-E bar codes.
The EAN-8 code is an eight-digit bar code used usually for very small articles, such as chewing gum
Chewing gum
Chewing gum is a type of gum traditionally made of chicle, a natural latex product, or synthetic rubber known as polyisobutylene. For economical and quality reasons, many modern chewing gums use rubber instead of chicle...
, where fitting a larger code onto the item would be difficult. Note: the equivalent UPC small format barcode, UPC-E, does not form part of the GTIN system, but should be processed by performing zero-expansion to form the equivalent UPC-A
Universal Product Code
The Universal Product Code is a barcode symbology , that is widely used in North America, and in countries including the UK, Australia, and New Zealand for tracking trade items in stores. Its most common form, the UPC-A, consists of 12 numerical digits, which are uniquely assigned to each trade item...
as a part of conversion to GTIN-12. However, most applications can work with UPC-E internally without conversion to GTIN-12 if GTIN-8s do not need to be supported.
Format
| Name | Former name(s) |
|---|---|
| GTIN-14 | – |
| GTIN-13 | EAN·UCC-13, EAN-13, CIP |
| GTIN-12 | EAN·UCC-12, UCC-12, UPC Universal Product Code The Universal Product Code is a barcode symbology , that is widely used in North America, and in countries including the UK, Australia, and New Zealand for tracking trade items in stores. Its most common form, the UPC-A, consists of 12 numerical digits, which are uniquely assigned to each trade item... |
| GTIN-8 | EAN·UCC-8, EAN-8 |
| Num.-system | GTIN-Format | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position of digits | T1 | T2 | T3 | T4 | T5 | T6 | T7 | T8 | T9 | T10 | T11 | T12 | T13 | T14 |
| GTIN-14 | N1 | N2 | N3 | N4 | N5 | N6 | N7 | N8 | N9 | N10 | N11 | N12 | N13 | N14 |
| GTIN-13 | 0 | N1 | N2 | N3 | N4 | N5 | N6 | N7 | N8 | N9 | N10 | N11 | N12 | N13 |
| GTIN-12 | 0 | 0 | N1 | N2 | N3 | N4 | N5 | N6 | N7 | N8 | N9 | N10 | N11 | N12 |
| GTIN-8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N1 | N2 | N3 | N4 | N5 | N6 | N7 | N8 |
The numbering structure is as follows:
- T1 - Indicator digit, used for GTIN-14, "0" to "8" indicates a packaging level and "9" a variable measure item. There is however, no worldwide consensus on which number indicates which packaging level and in some countries (Germany) a leading zero is used independently from item hierarchy.
- T1-T3 GS1 country code
- T1-T6 or T1-T7 or T1-T8 GS1GS1Founded in 1977, GS1 is an international not-for-profit association dedicated to the development and implementation of global standards and solutions to improve the efficiency and visibility of supply and demand chains globally and across multiple sectors...
Company Prefix. - Item (product or service) reference number. This part of the numbering structure is allocated by the user company. Each different type of trade item is allocated a different number and, for ease of administration, it is recommended that companies do this sequentially (001, 002, 003, etc.).
- T14 And a check digitCheck digitA check digit is a form of redundancy check used for error detection, the decimal equivalent of a binary checksum. It consists of a single digit computed from the other digits in the message....
, the last one, which follows a standard GS1 algorithm.
All books and serial publications sold internationally (including those in U.S. stores) have GTIN (GTIN-13) codes. The book codes are either constructed by prefixing the old ISBN 10 number with 978, and recalculating the trailing check digit
Check digit
A check digit is a form of redundancy check used for error detection, the decimal equivalent of a binary checksum. It consists of a single digit computed from the other digits in the message....
, or from 1 January 2007 issued as thirteen digits starting with 978 (eventually 979 as the 978 ranges are used up).
Since each type of trade item is given its own GTIN, it may be helpful to note that the term trade item refers to any product or service upon which there is a need to retrieve pre-defined information; this product or service may be priced, ordered, or invoiced at any point in the supply chain
Supply chain
A supply chain is a system of organizations, people, technology, activities, information and resources involved in moving a product or service from supplier to customer. Supply chain activities transform natural resources, raw materials and components into a finished product that is delivered to...
. This includes individual items as well as all of their different packaging configurations.
In February 2005, employees and booksellers of Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble, Inc. is the largest book retailer in the United States, operating mainly through its Barnes & Noble Booksellers chain of bookstores headquartered at 122 Fifth Avenue in the Flatiron District in Manhattan in New York City. Barnes & Noble also operated the chain of small B. Dalton...
were informed that beginning at the end of March, their computer systems were going to add the ability to search by EAN to facilitate a switch over to the EAN (sometimes called ISBN 13 when used for books) from the current standard of ISBN 10 codes. Receipts will now list the EAN number, rather than the ISBN 10 number. Since all existing 10-digit ISBN codes are mapped to a subset of the space of 13-digit EANs, booksellers' computer systems will still be able to search by ISBN (and UPC
Universal Product Code
The Universal Product Code is a barcode symbology , that is widely used in North America, and in countries including the UK, Australia, and New Zealand for tracking trade items in stores. Its most common form, the UPC-A, consists of 12 numerical digits, which are uniquely assigned to each trade item...
in the music departments) to help booksellers locate older books that have not been assigned an EAN.
By January 1, 2005 the U.S. ISBN agency requires publishers be able to communicate ISBNs as GTIN-13s. The new 979 prefix for publications will be available on January 1, 2007 or upon eventual assignment of the last 978 prefix.
Prefixes
Each country gets one or several three digit prefixes assigned. List of GS1 country codesSome special ranges exist. The usage for some is GS1 Member Organisation (GS1 MO) specific:
- 020 – 029 Restricted distribution (GS1 MO defined)
- 040 – 049 Restricted distribution (GS1 MO defined)
- 050 – 059 Coupons
- 200 – 299 Restricted distribution (GS1 MO defined)
- 977 Serial publications International Standard Serial NumberInternational Standard Serial NumberAn International Standard Serial Number is a unique eight-digit number used to identify a print or electronic periodical publication. Periodicals published in both print and electronic form may have two ISSNs, a print ISSN and an electronic ISSN...
(ISSN) - 978 – 979 BooklandBooklandBookland can refer to:*Bookland, a fictitious location corresponding to a 978 prefix that converts a 10 digit ISBN into EAN-13 barcode .*Bookland , a category of land in Anglo-Saxon law*Various bookshops call themselves "Bookland"...
International Standard Book NumberInternational Standard Book NumberThe International Standard Book Number is a unique numeric commercial book identifier based upon the 9-digit Standard Book Numbering code created by Gordon Foster, Emeritus Professor of Statistics at Trinity College, Dublin, for the booksellers and stationers W.H...
(ISBN)- 9790 International Standard Music NumberInternational Standard Music NumberThe International Standard Music Number or ISMN is a thirteen-character alphanumeric identifier for printed music developed by ISO...
(ISMN)
- 9790 International Standard Music Number
- 980 Refund receipts
- 981 – 982 Common Currency Coupons
- 990 – 999 Coupons
(Note: These values refer to GTIN-13/EAN. For UPC the ranges are "20 – 29" etc., for GTIN-14 "0020 – 0029" etc. Restricted distributions are often assigned for retailer use, especially for products which are packaged and labelled in stores in variable weight or quantity with the weight, quantity or price embedded into the barcode.)
Comparison of UPC, EAN and GTIN
The Universal Product CodeUniversal Product Code
The Universal Product Code is a barcode symbology , that is widely used in North America, and in countries including the UK, Australia, and New Zealand for tracking trade items in stores. Its most common form, the UPC-A, consists of 12 numerical digits, which are uniquely assigned to each trade item...
, UPC, has been a dominant product identification standard in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
since it was established in the 1970s. It is a 12 digit code, unique to a product, which allows it to be scanned and read in virtually any major retail establishment. An 8 digit "zero-compressed" version is available for items which are too small to allow a 12 digit version to be printed.
The European Article Number
European Article Number
An EAN-13 barcode is a 13 digit barcoding standard which is a superset of the original 12-digit Universal Product Code system developed in the United States...
, EAN, is an expanded UPC with 13 digits, the first three are the country code. It is widely used throughout the rest of the world. A UPC formed in the United States can be transformed into an EAN by prefixing it with a zero.
The Global Trade Item Number, GTIN-14, expands to a 14th digit with the new digit providing a level of packing. An example of usage would be for a carton containing identical items. It could be identified with a GTIN carton level indicator.
See also
- European Article NumberEuropean Article NumberAn EAN-13 barcode is a 13 digit barcoding standard which is a superset of the original 12-digit Universal Product Code system developed in the United States...
- EAN - Japanese Article Number - JAN
- Part numberPart numberA part number is an identifier of a particular part design used in a particular industry. Its purpose is to simplify referencing to that part...
- Universal Product CodeUniversal Product CodeThe Universal Product Code is a barcode symbology , that is widely used in North America, and in countries including the UK, Australia, and New Zealand for tracking trade items in stores. Its most common form, the UPC-A, consists of 12 numerical digits, which are uniquely assigned to each trade item...
- UPC