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Global Trade Item Number (GTIN)

Core concepts11/27/2025Basic Level

A globally unique 14-digit number used to identify trade items, crucial for product identification in e-commerce and logistics.

What is Global Trade Item Number (GTIN)? (Definition)

A Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) is a globally unique 14-digit number used to identify trade items, products, and services. It is the umbrella term for various common barcodes and product identifiers, including UPC (Universal Product Code) in North America, EAN (European Article Number) in Europe, and ISBN (International Standard Book Number) for books. GTINs are essential for unambiguous product identification across the supply chain, retail, and e-commerce, enabling efficient tracking and management of inventory and sales.

Why Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) is Important for E-commerce

For e-commerce, accurate GTIN management is fundamental. Marketplaces like Amazon and Bol.com often require GTINs for product listings to ensure uniqueness and prevent counterfeits. GTINs facilitate efficient inventory management, automated point-of-sale scanning, and seamless data exchange between trading partners. Without correct GTINs, products may fail to list on major channels, leading to lost sales opportunities and operational inefficiencies.

Examples of Global Trade Item Number (GTIN)

  • 1An EAN-13 barcode on a physical product package in a European supermarket, also used for its online listing.
  • 2A UPC-A code on a product sold in the US, required for Amazon's product catalog.
  • 3An ISBN for a book listed on an online bookstore.
  • 4A GTIN-14 used for a case of 24 soft drinks, distinct from the GTIN-12 for a single can.
  • 5Identifying a product's global identity across different countries despite local variations in packaging or naming.

How WISEPIM Helps

  • Centralized GTIN Management: WISEPIM stores and manages all GTINs (UPC, EAN, ISBN) in a single, accessible location, ensuring accurate product identification.
  • Enhanced Marketplace Compliance: Easily syndicate correct GTINs to e-commerce platforms and marketplaces, meeting their stringent product identification requirements.
  • Improved Data Accuracy: Validate GTINs to prevent errors and ensure each product has a globally unique identifier, reducing listing rejections and data inconsistencies.
  • Efficient Product Tracking: Use GTINs as a key identifier within WISEPIM for seamless integration with inventory, logistics, and sales systems.

Common Mistakes with Global Trade Item Number (GTIN)

  • Using incorrect GTINs, such as internal SKUs mistaken for official GTINs, or GTINs belonging to different products, leading to listing rejections.
  • Failing to validate GTINs against official GS1 databases or marketplace requirements, which results in products not being approved for sale.
  • Inconsistent GTIN application across different sales channels, causing data discrepancies and issues with inventory synchronization.
  • Not updating GTINs when product variations, packaging changes, or bundle configurations occur, leading to outdated or invalid product identification.
  • Purchasing GTINs from unofficial resellers or third-party websites instead of directly from GS1, risking non-unique or invalid identifiers.

Tips for Global Trade Item Number (GTIN)

  • Obtain GTINs directly from GS1, the official global standard organization, to ensure their authenticity, uniqueness, and compliance with industry standards.
  • Implement a robust PIM system to centralize GTIN management, enabling consistent data across all sales channels and reducing manual errors.
  • Regularly audit your product catalog to verify GTIN accuracy, ensuring compliance with marketplace requirements and preventing listing rejections.
  • Train your product data teams on GTIN best practices, including when to apply new GTINs for product variations, bundles, or significant packaging changes.
  • Utilize GTINs for internal inventory tracking and warehouse management alongside external channel requirements to streamline operations and improve efficiency.

Trends Surrounding Global Trade Item Number (GTIN)

  • Enhanced Data Quality with AI: AI-driven validation and enrichment of GTIN data to automatically detect errors, suggest corrections, and improve accuracy across product catalogs.
  • Digital Product Passports (DPP) and Sustainability: GTINs become a core identifier for linking products to their Digital Product Passports, providing detailed information on origin, materials, and lifecycle for regulatory compliance and consumer transparency.
  • Automated GTIN Assignment and Management: Increased automation in PIM systems for assigning and managing GTINs, reducing manual effort and ensuring compliance with marketplace requirements.
  • Blockchain for Supply Chain Traceability: Integration of GTINs with blockchain technology to provide immutable records of product movement, enhancing transparency and combating counterfeiting.

Tools for Global Trade Item Number (GTIN)

  • WISEPIM: Centralizes product data, including GTINs, facilitating validation, enrichment, and syndication to various e-commerce channels and marketplaces.
  • Akeneo: A leading PIM solution for managing comprehensive product information, including GTINs, across multiple locales and sales channels.
  • Salsify: Offers a PIM and Product Experience Management platform to manage GTINs and deliver rich product content that drives sales.
  • GS1 GEPIR: A global registry and search tool to verify GTINs and company prefixes, ensuring the authenticity and validity of product identifiers.
  • Shopify/Magento: E-commerce platforms that integrate with PIMs to leverage GTINs for accurate product listings, inventory management, and streamlined checkout processes.

Related Terms

sku-stock-keeping-unitproduct-data-standardizationmarketplace-integrationproduct-catalogproduct-information-management-pimproduct-data-quality

Also Known As

UPCEANISBNproduct identifier (specific type of)