Detailed explanation of Amazon UPC code and guide to obtain it

On the Amazon platform, UPC (Universal Product Code) is a common term. As a type of product barcode, UPC consists of 12 digits and is used to uniquely identify specific products and merchandise. For sellers, it is important to understand UPC and its role.

What is Amazon UPC?

Amazon UPC is a widely used product identification standard managed by the American GS1 organization. When sellers sell products on Amazon, they usually need to provide a unique UPC code for each independent product to ensure that the product is listed on Amazon Uniqueness and identification in the marketplace. By using UPC codes, Amazon is able to better track and manage product inventory, orders, and delivery.

The role of using Amazon UPC

  • Product Identification and Uniqueness: Each product has an independent UPC code, which allows Amazon to accurately track and manage inventory, orders, and deliveries.
  • Product Listing and Category: When creating a product listing, providing the product’s UPC code can help Amazon correctly list the product in the appropriate product category. This makes it easier for buyers to search and Browse related products.
  • Sales and Inventory Management: Whenever a buyer purchases your product, the system will perform inventory deductions based on the product’s UPC code and update the inventory quantity. At the same time, the UPC code helps ensure Products cannot be confused with products from other sellers.

How to obtain UPC code?

Official channels

  • Brand owners can apply for brand protection on Amazon. After success, Amazon will provide a GCID code, which can be used instead of the UPC code.
  • Manufacturers should purchase their own UPC codes directly through GS1, and Chinese sellers need to apply to the China Article Coding Center. Business licenses and organization codes must be provided when applying [[1][3]].

Third-party channels

  • If it is not a factory or manufacturer, it is best to ask a supplier with a good relationship to apply and authorize the use, and pay a certain usage fee every year.
  • Joining the Chinese product barcode system is also an option, but corporate sellers need to apply and pay the corresponding fees [[3][4]].

Informal channels

  • It is not recommended to purchase UPC codes through informal channels, nor should you use UPC codes generated by automatic generators. These methods may lead to duplicate UPC codes, which will affect the normal sales of products [[3][4]].

Notes

  • Make sure that the UPC code you use does not start with 5 or 05, as Amazon reviews such codes more strictly.
  • If you are a brand registered seller, you can directly fill in the key attributes without submitting the UPC code [[3][4]].
  • Note that each SKU corresponds to a unique UPC code, and the uploaded UPC code cannot be changed or used for other products [[3][4]].

In short, obtaining and using UPC codes correctly is very important for Amazon sellers. Obtaining a valid UPC code through formal channels not only helps to improve the uniqueness and identification of products on the platform, but also effectively avoids problems caused by violations [[3][4]].