Global Trade Item Number (GTIN)

give your products and packaging a globally unique identity

What is GTIN?

GTIN stands for Global Trade Item Number and is a GS1 number used to give products and packaging a globally unique identity. The number identifies products worldwide with 6 billion transactions per day – both in stores and online. For over 50 years, companies have been able to easily communicate about products using GTIN as a common language.

Watch the video about GTIN

The Global Trade Item Number contains information on:

  • product identification number
  • in which country the number is issued,
  • your company identity,

Basically all commercial products have their own GTIN which ensures that trade items are not mixed up with each other. You create GTIN with your GS1 Company prefix which you receive by becoming a customer of GS1.

Who uses GTIN?

GTIN is used globally, which makes it easier to do business both locally and abroad. GTIN most often occurs in the CPG and retail industry, online, food service, construction, technical industry and healthcare .

GS1-artikelnummer (GTIN)
Brand owner
Companies that need to identify their trade items. Often suppliers of products.
GTIN
Data receivers
Companies that receive data. Often retailers, e-retailers or wholesalers.
GTIN konsument
Consumers
End user of the product. For example, consumers or patients.
Global Trade Item Number (GTIN)

Benefits for consumers and businesses

The number ensures that products are not mixed up and helps you create barcodes or EPC / RFID tags.

  • Higher data quality in product catalogs when everyone receives correct information.

  • Simplifies when ordering goods and at the checkout.

  • Products with globally unique numbers can not be mixed up.

  • Products can be tracked and traced by everyone in the supply chain.

  • Barcodes can be scanned anywhere in the world.

  • Easier to manage inventory balance and sales statistics.

  • Better visibility and searchability for consumers online.

How to use GTIN

Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) can be used to identify types of products at different packaging levels such as: consumer unit, inner pack, case or pallet.

Produktinformation
Identify products
GTIN is a GS1 standard for identification and is used to create unique numbers for products or packaging.
About identification
Create barcodes
Use GTIN to create a barcode, 2D code or RFID tag for trade items to be sold in store or online.
Get started with barcodes
Share information
With a GTIN, a supplier can easily share trade item information to a retailer who is going to sell or share data about the product.
Get started sharing
Trace products
Thanks to the unique identity numbers, you can get traceability, transparency and security in the supply chain.
More about traceability


Create GTIN with your GS1 Company Prefix
See how GTIN is used to streamline online trading
How GTIN digitizes the construction industry
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