The Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) is an

identifier An identifier is a name that identifies (that is, labels the identity of) either a unique object or a unique ''class'' of objects, where the "object" or class may be an idea, person, physical countable object (or class thereof), or physical mass ...

for trade items, developed by the international organization GS1. Such identifiers are used to look up product information in a database (often by entering the number through a

barcode A barcode or bar code is a method of representing data in a visual, Machine-readable data, machine-readable form. Initially, barcodes represented data by varying the widths, spacings and sizes of parallel lines. These barcodes, now commonly ref ...

scanner pointed at an actual product) which may belong to a retailer, manufacturer, collector, researcher, or other entity. The uniqueness and universality of the identifier is useful in establishing which product in one database corresponds to which product in another database, especially across organizational boundaries.

Format and incorporated standards

The GTIN standard has incorporated the

International Standard Book Number The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a numeric commercial book identifier that is intended to be unique. Publishers purchase or receive ISBNs from an affiliate of the International ISBN Agency. A different ISBN is assigned to e ...

(ISBN),

International Standard Serial Number An International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) is an eight-digit to uniquely identify a periodical publication (periodical), such as a magazine. The ISSN is especially helpful in distinguishing between serials with the same title. ISSNs a ...

(ISSN),

International Standard Music Number The International Standard Music Number or ISMN (ISO 10957) is a thirteen-character alphanumeric identifier for printed music developed by ISO. Overview The original proposal for an ISMN was made by the UK Branch of IAML (International Associat ...

(ISMN),

International Article Number International Article Number, also known as European Article Number (EAN), is a global standard that defines a barcode format and a unique numbering system used in retail and trade. It helps identify specific types of retail products based on thei ...

(which includes the

European Article Number International Article Number, also known as European Article Number (EAN), is a global standard that defines a barcode format and a unique numbering system used in retail and trade. It helps identify specific types of retail products based on thei ...

and Japanese Article Number) and some

Universal Product Code The Universal Product Code (UPC or UPC code) is a barcode#Symbologies, barcode symbology that is used worldwide for tracking trade items in stores. The chosen symbology has bars (or spaces) of exactly 1, 2, 3, or 4 units wide each; each decimal ...

s (UPCs), into a universal number space. GTINs may be eight, 12, 13, or 14 digits long, and each of these four numbering structures are constructed in a similar fashion, combining Company Prefix, Item Reference and a calculated Check Digit (GTIN-14 adds another component- the Indicator Digit, which can be 0–9). GTIN-8s will be encoded in an EAN-8 barcode. GTIN-12s may be shown in UPC-A, ITF-14, or GS1-128 barcodes. GTIN-13s may be encoded in EAN-13, ITF-14 or GS1-128 barcodes, and GTIN-14s may be encoded in ITF-14 or GS1-128 barcodes. The choice of barcode will depend on the application; for example, items to be sold at a retail establishment could be marked with EAN-8, EAN-13, UPC-A or UPC-E barcodes. The EAN-8 code is an eight-digit barcode used usually for very small articles, such as

chewing gum Chewing gum is a soft, cohesive substance designed to be chewed without being swallowed. Modern chewing gum is composed of gum base, sweeteners, softeners/plasticizers, flavors, colors, and, typically, a hard or powdered polyol coating. Its tex ...

, where fitting a larger code onto the item would be difficult. Note: the equivalent UPC small format barcode, UPC-E, encodes a GTIN-12 with a special Company Prefix that allows for "zero suppression" of four zeros in the GTIN-12. The GS1 encoding and decoding rules state that the entire GTIN-12 is used for encoding and that the entire GTIN-12 is to be delivered when scanned.

Format and encodings

The numbering structure is as follows: * T1 – Indicator digit, used for GTIN-14, "1" to "8" indicates a packaging level and "9" a variable measure item. There is, however, no worldwide consensus on which number indicates which packaging level and no significance should be built into this number. Zero in this position is not considered a valid value. * T2 through T13 GS1 Company Prefix & Item (product or service) reference number. The GS1 Company Prefix is allocated to the member company and the Item Reference is allocated by the user company. Each of these elements varies in length depending on the length of the allocated GS1 Company Prefix. Each different type of trade item is allocated a different number and, for ease of administration, it is recommended that companies do this sequentially (001, 002, 003, etc.). * T14 is a

check digit A check digit is a form of redundancy check used for Error detection and correction, error detection on identification numbers, such as bank account numbers, which are used in an application where they will at least sometimes be input manually. It ...

, which follows the standard modulo 10 calculation. Note that GTIN-12 numbers can be encoded as GTIN-13 by adding a padding zero in the T2 position. Likewise, a GTIN-13 can be retrieved from a GTIN-14 by removing the T1 digit. All books and serial publications sold internationally (including those in U.S. stores) have GTIN (GTIN-13) codes. The book codes are either constructed by prefixing the old 10-digit ISBN with 978, and recalculating the trailing

, or from 1 January 2007 issued as thirteen digits starting with 978 (eventually 979 as the 978 ranges are used up). Each type of trade item is given its own GTIN, with the understanding that there is a potential need to retrieve predefined information from such items; this product or service may be priced, ordered, or invoiced at any point in the

supply chain A supply chain is a complex logistics system that consists of facilities that convert raw materials into finished products and distribute them to end consumers or end customers, while supply chain management deals with the flow of goods in distri ...

. This includes individual items as well as all of their different packaging configurations.

References

External links

Global Trade Item Number
at GS1 website
Introduction to GTIN Structure, Barcodes and GS1

An Introduction to the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN)
{{Webarchive, url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715085534/https://www.gs1us.org/DesktopModules/Bring2mind/DMX/Download.aspx?Command=Core_Download&EntryId=174&language=en-US&PortalId=0&TabId=134 , date=2021-07-15 , Adobe PDF file
Breakdown of GTIN structure – Informational site
GS1 standards Identifiers Unique identifiers

Format and incorporated standards

Format and encodings

See also

References

External links