Do I need an ISBN AND an ASIN or UPC or EAN?
I am getting quite confused by the different barcodes etc. I have two of my own products to list and have also bought a pack of ISBNs with Bowker (myidentifiers.com) to use on different versions and translations. My specific questions are:
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I want to sell method cards used to design products. These are physical cards in a box. I notice similar cards use an ISBN. Do I also have to have an ASIN or UPC or EAN? I want to sell them internationally and need to know what i need to print on the boxes.
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I have a self-published book that I want to sell hard copy. I know I need an ISBN, so that’s fine. But do I also need an ASIn, UPS or EAN as well? Also to be sold internationally.
Any help would be so appreciated as I am going round in circles trying to figure this out. Thank you.
5 replies
Seller_esvgLzKXw2YAl
The actual type of identifier depends on what the thing is that you are selling.
So for a book, you would use an ISBN, and for pretty much anything else, it’s a barcode (EAN).
It is just one identifier per item, that makes it unique.
Just to add, a UPC is just the same as a barcode.
Seller_Kk6le8JPH6uoQ
For the Book you would only need an Isbn.
Seller_DROodOAYHftnc
As you obviously know ISBNs are for books, and as far as I know these have to be acquired from Neilsens, though I may be wrong there. If you book has an ISBN you do not need a UPC as well.
The ASIN is a unique number generated by Amazon - it is their own Amazon Standard Identification Number.
Here is Amazon’s own page explaining the various identifiers:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/seller/asin-upc-isbn-info.html
Sorry cannot advise re. selling these internationally.
Seller_64jziShTiTjOq
They shouldn’t! ISBNs are meant for books and software. However, they are now identical to/compatible with EANS which are used for other types of goods - 13 digits. An EAN beginning 978 indicates a book. If you have either an ISBN or an EAN, as appropriate, you don’t need an ASIN as well
