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GTIN

Global Trade Item Number

InventoryGlossary
Definition

A GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) is the GS1 identification number for a trade item, such as a single product or a case of that product. It is 8, 12, 13 or 14 digits long, is encoded in retail barcodes (EAN and UPC) and GS1 logistics barcodes, and identifies the same item wherever it is traded.

GTIN formats

All GTINs come from the GS1 system and end in a check digit that scanners use to catch misreads.

  • GTIN-8: short code for very small retail items, printed as an EAN-8 barcode.
  • GTIN-12: the UPC-A number used mainly in North America.
  • GTIN-13: the EAN-13 number used on retail products in most of the world.
  • GTIN-14: used for cases and other trade packs, often printed as ITF-14 or inside a GS1-128 barcode.

GTINs at each packaging level

Each distinct pack of a product gets its own GTIN. A single bottle of serum SRM-030 carries a GTIN-13 on its box. The case of 24 carries a different GTIN-14. If the brand also sells a 3-pack in shrink wrap, that pack gets its own GTIN too.

That matters in the warehouse because the GTIN tells the scanner which pack was scanned, and the pack tells the system how many base units moved. Scanning the case GTIN records 24 units; scanning the bottle records one. This is how GTINs connect to your unit of measure conversions.

GTIN vs SKU vs UPC

A SKU is your internal code, formatted however you like. A GTIN is a globally unique number that the brand owner assigns under a GS1 company prefix, so any retailer or warehouse that scans it identifies the same item. UPC is a barcode format that carries a 12-digit GTIN. One SKU typically maps to several GTINs, one per pack level, and a 3PL may see several clients' GTINs for otherwise similar goods.

GTINs inside GS1-128 and DataMatrix barcodes

Logistics barcodes often carry more than the GTIN. GS1-128 and GS1 DataMatrix codes use application identifiers (AIs) to label each piece of data: (01) is the GTIN, (10) the lot, (17) the expiry date as YYMMDD, and (21) the serial number. A case label reading (01) followed by a 14-digit GTIN, then (17)270331 and (10)LOT-0826, tells a scanner the item, an expiry of 31 March 2027 and the lot in one scan. The warehouse barcode labels guide explains the common layouts.

How NextStock uses GTINs

NextStock stores a barcode per pack in each SKU's pack hierarchy, so unit, case and pallet scans record the right quantity. At receiving, it parses GS1-128 and DataMatrix barcodes and captures the GTIN, lot, expiry and serial from the application identifiers. See barcode scanning.

Part of the NextStock warehouse glossary. Browse the full glossary

Frequently asked questions

Short, direct answers to the questions warehouse teams ask most.

Can I use a GTIN as my SKU?

You can, but it's usually a poor fit. A GTIN identifies one pack level, so the unit and the case would look like two items. GTINs are long and hard to read on a pick list, and products you make yourself may not have one yet. Keep a short internal SKU and map every GTIN for each pack to it.

How do I get GTINs for my products?

Brand owners get GTINs by licensing a company prefix from their local GS1 member organization, then numbering their own products within it. The rules on reusing numbers and assigning new GTINs when a product changes are set by GS1. Many retailers and marketplaces ask for valid GTINs, so check each channel's requirements before listing.

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