Home · Learn · What Is a GS1 Company Prefix? Your Brand's Barcode Foundation
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 member organizations license prefixes in tiers: an initial fee plus an annual renewal that scales with how many GTINs you reserve, with single-GTIN entry tiers available in some countries. Exact rates vary by country and are published by your local GS1 member organization. If you only need a handful of verified codes for standard marketplace listings, our Buy UPC Codes page starts at $5 one-time.
How to apply for a GS1 Company Prefix
Apply through your local GS1 member organization. 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?
Prefix licensing is tiered by SKU count — an initial fee plus annual renewal in most tiers — and every country's GS1 member organization sets its own rates. For a handful of verified codes without a prefix, our Buy UPC Codes page starts at $5 one-time.
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 — real GS1 numbers exist inside a licensed Company Prefix namespace, and self-generated 'GS1-style' barcodes without GS1-derived backing won't pass Amazon/Walmart verification. Verified GS1-derived codes start at $5 on our Buy UPC Codes page; brands that need codes in their own name license a prefix through their GS1 member organization.
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.
Related generators
Need a real barcode now?
Generate a valid UPC-A barcode in seconds — no signup, no watermark. Free for casual use; paid plans from $9/mo for higher volume.