GS1 EAN/UPC Code Company registration
Hi everyone, I am new to Amazon selling and I’ve been learning gradually the different hoops to be crossed as I go. I am not sure if this is the right medium to ask this question but I’d be glad if someone can either answer my question or point me to the right place.
I am looking to list some product that I worked with a supplier to improve and put my own brand label on. I am hoping to register a company in the future but at the moment just looking to study the market and see how things go.
The issue now is with the UPC/EAN. Since I am not looking to list my product under an existing product listing, I am required to have my own EAN. I have read about GS1 quite a lot but I am not sure if it is possible to register for GS1 with a company that is not yet registered officially or perhaps even trademarked. Does anyone have information about it? What other options do I have in case this is not possible? I learned that it is possible to buy on ebay and other sources but that Amazon is removing listings whose EAN are not registered to GS1. Any ideas?
Thanks in advance.
13 replies
Seller_5ia3Q2YxXVCxe
I’ve got GS1 codes but also a LOT of old EAN’s I bought from the internet, many years ago. I still list my non branded stuff using the old EANs, I only use the GS1’s for my branded stuff. I have NEVER had any EAN rejected / deleted etc, though of course im not saying it will NOT happen, it hasn’t yet to me. How many do you need to start off with? I’ve got loads spare. if its just a few you could have some to use.
Seller_z6B2L9xab6HlP
You can register with GS1 as an individual but set the brand name of your product to the (eventual) company name.
Amazon are very slowly going through the listings verifying them against the GS1 database. It’s probably better to do things right from the start than risk getting your listings suspended then having to faff on changing the GTIN/EAN/UPC etc.
Seller_vpQAqNlqUVowU
My company is registered (Ltd) but I dont have the trademark yet and I got my barcodes from GS1. I think you need to be registered in companies house, literally takes 1 day to get your company registered so I would rather do it. (other countries is up to a month).
Regarding Amazon removing listings, etc… I dont know, but I got my barcodes from GS1 after buying one on Barcode Mania and checking that the barcode they provided me was owned by an American company…
Hope it helps
Seller_pOVULMI4XNLqB
I’ve just bought some on ebay, so will they work or not?
Seller_NE8Yz8a2IQdn0
A word of warning about using non GSI barcode.
I used cheap one for some 8 years with no problem then in the last 2 months our product reach the no 1 spot and Amazon choice and surprise somebody decided to reg a barcode with GSI and now what is a cheap item is bought and sold by Amazon themselves on our listing causing all sorts of review problems I have raised right up to CEO and US lawyers level and still as soon as I relist they come back on sale with the cheaper product.
I have now bought a GSi EAN and have relisted under it but long process to get back to no 1.
But the good thing is I still have editing control over the old listing so no way are they going to benefit from what they have done
So what was cheap to start off with has turned out expensive lesson so just pay the £140 for 3 barcodes its worth it
Seller_WeIcN14KxLkHk
@BarryM thanks for the information. As a matter of fact I live in Belgium and I was thinking of registering with GS1 in Belgium but I checked GS1 UK prices and the prices are much more reasonable. I’d have to pay 600 eur to buy 1000 numbers in Belgium while I’d need just about 120 GBP for same quantity in the UK. Does anyone know if one is restricted to buy where they intend to open their company eventually?
Thanks.
Seller_L3E8iknKXqZNV
Bear in mind with GS1 you only rent the barcodes - they never belong to you. So if one day you pack up trading - you will need to convince GS1 that you have freed all the codes from use so they can be rented to other subscribers.
If you dont prove this to them - they will continue billing you £140 plus vat per year even after you are in your coffin.
Seller_c4Ur3qbApP3cq
If the company doesn’t exist anymore, who are they going to force to pay for the annual fee?
