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What Is a GS1 Company Prefix? Your Brand's Barcode Foundation
The GS1 Company Prefix is the number that makes a barcode officially YOURS. Here is what it means, what it costs, and how to apply.
A GS1 Company Prefix is a unique 4-12 digit number that GS1 assigns to your brand. It's the foundation of every authorized UPC barcode, EAN-13 code, GTIN, ITF-14 case code, and GLN location identifier you'll ever issue. The prefix identifies you as the official owner of every product number you create within its namespace, registered to your company in the global GS1 database.
Without a GS1 Company Prefix, your 'UPC' is just a number — Amazon, Walmart, Google Shopping, and Target verify against the GS1 database and reject codes that don't resolve to a registered brand. The prefix is what makes the barcode legitimately yours and globally scannable.
How a GS1 Company Prefix works
GS1 assigns you a prefix between 4 and 12 digits long — the LENGTH determines how many products you can identify. A 12-digit prefix leaves room for only 1 product number; an 8-digit prefix leaves room for ~100,000. The prefix becomes the leading digits of every GTIN you create. Example: if your prefix is 0614141, your products become 0614141-XXXXX-Y (where XXXXX is your assigned product number and Y is the check digit).
GS1 Company Prefix pricing (US, 2026)
GS1 US tiered pricing: 1 GTIN — $30 initial fee, $0 annual renewal (one-time). 10 GTINs — $250 initial, $50/year. 100 GTINs — $750 initial, $150/year. 1,000 GTINs — $2,500 initial, $500/year. 10,000 GTINs — $6,500 initial, $1,300/year. Higher tiers available. The single-GTIN tier is the cheapest entry point if you only need a handful of barcodes. Other countries' GS1 offices have similar tiered structures (GS1 UK, GS1 Germany, etc.).
How to apply for a GS1 Company Prefix
Visit gs1us.org (US) or your country's GS1 affiliate listed at gs1.org/regional-offices. Choose the GTIN capacity tier matching your SKU count. Pay the initial fee. GS1 issues your prefix within minutes for the smaller tiers (1-100 GTINs); larger tiers take 1-2 business days. After approval, log into GS1 US Data Hub (free with your prefix) to create individual GTINs and generate barcodes.
GS1 prefix vs GLN vs SSCC
GS1 Company Prefix = your brand's namespace. GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) = a product number created within your prefix. GLN (Global Location Number) = identifies a physical or legal location (warehouse, office, business unit). SSCC (Serial Shipping Container Code) = identifies an individual shipping unit (pallet, container). All built on top of your Company Prefix.
FAQ
How much does a GS1 prefix cost?
GS1 US: $30 initial fee for 1 GTIN with NO annual renewal. $250 initial + $50/year for 10 GTINs. $750 initial + $150/year for 100 GTINs. $2,500 + $500/year for 1,000 GTINs. Pricing scales by SKU count. Other countries (GS1 UK, Germany, India, etc.) have similar tiered structures.
What is the difference between GS1 Company Prefix and GLN?
GS1 Company Prefix is your brand's namespace — the leading digits of every product number you create. GLN (Global Location Number) is a separate 13-digit identifier for a physical or legal location (warehouse, office, business unit). Your Entity GLN is listed on your GS1 Company Prefix Certificate.
What are GS1 identification codes?
GS1 issues several identifier types: GTIN (Global Trade Item Number — product), GLN (Global Location Number — location), SSCC (Serial Shipping Container Code — shipping unit), GIAI (Global Individual Asset Identifier — asset), GSIN (Global Shipment Identification Number — shipment). All are built on top of your GS1 Company Prefix.
What is the benefit of having a GS1 company prefix?
Three things. First, your products are LEGITIMATELY identified — Amazon, Walmart, Google Shopping verify against the GS1 database. Second, supply-chain transparency — your prefix tracks every product back to your brand globally. Third, capacity — you create as many GTINs as your prefix tier allows without needing GS1 approval for each one.
Can I make my own GS1 barcode?
No — you need to license a Company Prefix from GS1 first, then generate barcodes within that prefix's namespace. GS1 US's lowest tier ($30 one-time for 1 GTIN) includes free lifetime access to GS1 US Data Hub for barcode creation. Self-generated 'GS1-style' barcodes without a real prefix won't pass Amazon/Walmart verification.
How long is a GS1 Company Prefix?
Between 4 and 12 digits, assigned by GS1 based on your SKU capacity tier. Shorter prefixes (4-7 digits) reserve more space for product numbers — companies with thousands of SKUs get short prefixes. Longer prefixes (10-12 digits) leave room for only a handful of products — single-GTIN buyers get long prefixes.
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