The GTIN requirement on marketplaces
Most marketplaces — Amazon.co.uk, eBay, Etsy, OnBuy, Google Shopping — require a valid GTIN (EAN-13, UPC-A or ISBN) for all new product listings. Without a GTIN, your listing will simply be rejected and your product will not appear in the catalogue.
The 3 mistakes that cause your advert to be rejected
- Code déjà utilisé — An EAN can only be used for a single product. Purchasing a code that has already been assigned will result in immediate rejection by the marketplace.
- Clé de contrôle incorrecte — Marketplaces check the checksum (Modulo 10). Check your codes using our générateur gratuit.
- Code non scannable — The barcode image must be readable by a standard scanner. Please use our HD exports (high-resolution PNG + vector SVG) rather than screenshots.
Amazon
To sell as a reseller on Amazon (Seller Central), a valid GTIN is required when creating a product listing. Our EAN-13 codes pass Amazon’s GTIN validation. Only the Amazon Brand Registry programme requires codes to be registered directly with GS1 in the brand’s name.
Marketplaces in your sector
Platforms such as eBay UK, OnBuy, Fruugo, Etsy all require a valid GTIN when creating a product listing, along with a high-definition barcode for verification. Our EAN-13 codes are perfectly suited for this purpose.
Google Shopping
Google Merchant Center requires a GTIN for Shopping listings. Products without a GTIN or with an invalid GTIN will have their listings rejected. Sharing the same GTIN across sellers is even seen as a positive factor (consolidation of product listings, sharing of reviews).
eBay
eBay requires a GTIN in most categories (since 2018). The GTIN is used to eliminate duplicate listings and enhance the buyer experience. Our EAN-13 codes are accepted on all eBay sites.
How many codes should I buy?
Un code unique par variante. In practical terms, a T-shirt available in 3 sizes and 4 colours requires 12 different EAN codes — not just one. Our page tarifs offers packages tailored to all catalogue sizes.
E-commerce platforms (Shopify, WooCommerce, PrestaShop)
On your own online shop (Shopify, WooCommerce, PrestaShop, Magento), the GTIN is not mandatory but is strongly recommended: it improves Google Shopping rankings, makes it easier to export products to marketplaces, and helps to organise your catalogue effectively. See our article at l'importance des codes EAN en e-commerce.