What is a GTIN Barcode?

•  A Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) is a unique and internationally recognized identifier for a product. 
• It’s the number you see under a barcode and it has different types.

• GTIN-12 (UPC-A): this is a 12-digit number used primarily in North America.
• GTIN-8 (EAN/UCC-8): this is an 8-digit number used predominately outside of North America.
• GTIN-13 (EAN/UCC-13): this is a 13-digit number used predominately outside of North America.
• GTIN-14 (EAN/UCC-14 or ITF-14): this is a 14-digit number used to identify trade items at various packaging levels.

Why use GTIN Barcodes?

• It provides a common language for all of its entities and trading partners worldwide to uniquely identify the item and easily communicate information about the item
• Using barcodes allow vendors to search existing listing by barcodes before manually creating a new SKU thus benefiting from the following: 
  • to list their offer under an existing listing.
  • product grouping which will ensure fair competition between all vendors and better visibility for the best offers
  •  less operational and finance issues with reconciliation thanks to this unique product ID
  • More visibility online with better search engine ranking
• In 2020, GS1 Egypt signed an MOU with the Egyptian Tax Authority. The ETA needed to adopt e-bills instead of having to collect a long paper trail, ETA relies on GS1’s systems for item and service classification, as well as identification. Accordingly, it has become necessary for taxpayers of all fields and backgrounds to obtain a GTIN

How to get the GTIN of you product?

If your product already has a GTIN barcode

• Ask the brand owner/manufacturer to share their detailed price list or catalog with product barcodes (GTINs). Note: Barcodes (GTINs) are different from Manufacturer Part Number (MPN) and Model number. 

•  Read or Scan the barcode (GTIN) on the product or product packaging

If your product does not have a barcode

• GS1 is the official GTINs and EAN/UPC barcodes provider in Egypt
• GS1 Egypt is part of the global GS1 organization that ensures your barcodes work anywhere in the world
• Applying for a GTIN involves providing information about your product, such as its name, description, and packaging.
• For more details about getting GTINs for your products please visit: GS1 EGYPT
• Submit an exception request from adding barcodes to your products here

For more information about how to add your GTINs on the Seller Center.

Click here to add GTIN on products