Article 1 — Purpose
These Terms and Conditions govern the contractual relationship between EAN Express and any customer purchasing EAN-13 codes via the ean-express.com website.
Article 2 — Nature of the codes supplied
EAN Express assigns its customers unique, technically valid EAN-13 codes (structure compliant with the EAN-13 standard and correct check digit), drawn from historical numbering ranges that are freely transferable.
The subject matter of the contract is the transfer of the exclusive right to use a valid EAN-13 number that is unique within our catalogue. It does not extend to the acceptance of that number by any third party whatsoever.
Important: the codes assigned are not registered in the customer's company name in the international GS1 register. They remain technically valid, unique within our catalogue, and are assigned for the customer's exclusive use upon payment. Every order comes with a certificate of use and high-definition barcode images (PNG and SVG).
The codes currently available begin with the digit 0. This prefix identifies the organisation that originally issued the code; it indicates neither the country of manufacture nor the owner of the code. Customers cannot choose their prefix.
Article 3 — Acceptance by third-party sales channels
Every retailer, marketplace, distributor, wholesaler, purchasing group or logistics provider freely defines its own listing requirements, barcode rules and verification procedures. EAN Express does not guarantee that its codes will be accepted by any third party.
These policies change over time: a sales channel that today accepts codes obtained through resale may, at any time and without notice, require codes subscribed directly by the brand owner with the official numbering organisation — including retroactively, on existing product listings. Such decisions rest solely with the third party concerned and are beyond EAN Express's control.
The following are known in particular to apply a check on official assignment: Amazon, notably through its Brand Registry programme, when creating a product listing under a brand — attaching to an existing listing and applying for a GTIN exemption remain viable routes; and large-scale retail together with its purchasing groups, which rely on shared data pools requiring official registration. This list is indicative and not exhaustive.
It is the customer's responsibility to check the applicable requirements with each intended sales channel before placing an order. Our customer service team is available to answer any question prior to purchase.
Article 4 — Prices and payment
Prices are shown in euros, VAT included for private and business customers based in France. For business customers based in another EU country with a valid intra-EU VAT number, VAT is reverse-charged (article 196 of directive 2006/112/EC). For customers outside the EU, codes are sold VAT-free (export exemption).
Payment is made online via Stripe (bank card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, SEPA depending on the country). The order is validated upon payment confirmation.
Article 5 — Delivery
EAN codes are delivered digitally, by email, within a few minutes after payment validation. No physical delivery is made. A personal access link allows the customer to retrieve their codes, invoice and usage certificate at any time.
Article 6 — Right of withdrawal
Consumer customers. In accordance with Article L221-18 of the French Consumer Code, consumers have a period of fourteen (14) days in which to exercise their right of withdrawal.
However, pursuant to Article L221-28 13° of the same code, this right may no longer be exercised for the supply of digital content not provided on a tangible medium where performance has begun after the consumer's express prior consent and express waiver of the right of withdrawal. A tick box is presented for this purpose at the payment stage for orders of 100 € including VAT or more: the customer thereby requests immediate delivery of their codes and acknowledges losing their right of withdrawal upon that delivery. Where no such box has been ticked — which is the case for all orders below 100 € including VAT — the fourteen-day right of withdrawal remains fully applicable, including after the codes have been delivered.
Business customers. The right of withdrawal does not apply to purchases made in the course of a professional activity.
Article 7 — Guarantees
What we guarantee. EAN Express guarantees that every code delivered is technically valid (correct EAN-13 structure and check digit) and that it will not be assigned to any other customer in our catalogue. In the event of a confirmed duplicate in our catalogue or of a technical defect, we replace the code concerned free of charge, or refund the customer if replacement is not possible.
What we do not guarantee. This guarantee does not cover the refusal of a code by a third-party sales channel applying its own rules (see Article 3), nor the consequences of any change to those rules. Such a refusal does not constitute a defect in the code delivered.
Statutory guarantees. These provisions are without prejudice to the statutory guarantee of conformity (Articles L217-1 et seq. of the French Consumer Code) and the guarantee against hidden defects (Articles 1641 et seq. of the French Civil Code), from which consumer customers benefit in any event.
Article 8 — Complaints and mediation
Any complaint should be sent to commande@ean-express.com. We undertake to reply within 48 working hours.
In accordance with Article L612-1 of the French Consumer Code, consumer customers may, free of charge and where a prior written complaint has been unsuccessful, refer the matter to the following consumer ombudsman: CM2C — Centre de la Médiation de la Consommation de Conciliateurs de Justice, 49 rue de Ponthieu, 75008 Paris, France. Cases may be filed online at cm2c.net or by email to declarer-un-litige@cm2c.net.
Customers may also use the European online dispute resolution platform, available at ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr.
Article 9 — Governing law and jurisdiction
These terms and conditions are governed by French law.
For business customers, any dispute falls within the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts having jurisdiction over EAN Express's registered office.
For consumer customers, in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1215/2012, consumers retain the right to bring proceedings before the courts of their place of domicile and may only be sued before those courts.