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What Is a GTIN?

GTIN stands for Global Trade Item Number — an umbrella term for the family of GS1 product identifiers. When Amazon, Google Shopping, or a supplier asks for a GTIN, they mean any one of four formats: GTIN-8 (EAN-8), GTIN-12 (UPC-A), GTIN-13 (EAN-13/ISBN), or GTIN-14 (used for trade cases). In practice for most e-commerce sellers, GTIN means a UPC or EAN barcode.

Tree diagram showing GTIN types: GTIN-8, GTIN-12 (UPC), GTIN-13 (EAN), GTIN-14
The four GTIN formats and where each is used

Real example

A 12-digit UPC like 012345678905 is a GTIN-12. A 13-digit EAN like 0012345678905 (same number, leading zero added) is a GTIN-13. A retailer asking for 'your GTIN' is asking for whichever of these you have.

How a GTIN is used in e-commerce

  • Amazon's Add a Product form has a field labeled 'GTIN' — a UPC or EAN satisfies it.
  • Google Shopping requires GTIN for most product categories to improve shopping ad matching.
  • Walmart Marketplace requires a GTIN for all product listings.
  • EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) systems used by large retailers reference products by GTIN.

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Common questions

Related terms

UPC codeEAN codeGS1FNSKUASIN