Product identification: GTIN, EAN and UPC
The GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) is the number; EAN-13 and UPC-A are the most common barcodes that carry it.
| Code | Digits | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| GTIN-13 (EAN-13 barcode) | 13 | Consumer products in Europe and most of the world |
| GTIN-12 (UPC-A barcode) | 12 | Consumer products in North America |
| GTIN-8 (EAN-8) | 8 | Very small packages |
| GTIN-14 | 14 | Trade units such as cartons that contain several consumer units |
Every variant that is sold separately needs its own GTIN – just as it needs its own SKU. The GTIN is issued from the brand owner's GS1 company prefix.
Logistics units: SSCC
The SSCC (Serial Shipping Container Code) is an 18-digit number that identifies one specific logistics unit – a pallet, a roll cage or a carton in transit. Unlike a GTIN, which says what the product is, the SSCC says which unit this is. It is printed on a GS1 logistics label (with a GS1-128 barcode) together with other data such as contents, batch or dates.
SSCCs are central in B2B flows: a retailer receives an electronic delivery notice listing the SSCCs and scans each pallet on arrival instead of counting it. See API, EDI and ASN.
GS1
GS1 is the global non-profit organisation that develops these standards and issues company prefixes through national member organisations, such as GS1 Sweden. Retailers, marketplaces and logistics systems rely on GS1 numbers being unique worldwide.
QR codes and RFID
- QR codes (and other 2D codes such as GS1 DataMatrix) hold more data than linear barcodes – serial numbers, batch, expiry date or a web link. GS1 is moving towards 2D codes at retail checkouts.
- RFID tags are read by radio without line of sight, so many items can be registered at once. It is used for high-value or high-volume flows but costs more per item than printed barcodes.
What a 3PL warehouse needs
- A scannable barcode on every product, linked to the right SKU in the item register.
- Carton barcodes (GTIN-14 or labels) when goods are stored or picked by the carton.
- SSCC labels and delivery notices if your B2B customers require them – confirm during onboarding.
At Karlholm Logistics everything we handle is scanned, from receiving to dispatch. See scanning at every step.
Source: GS1 – barcodes standards.
Frequently asked questions
Do my products need GS1 barcodes to use a 3PL?
Not always – many warehouses can label products with internal barcodes. But retailers and marketplaces usually require valid GTINs, and consistent barcodes make receiving and picking faster and safer.
Can I buy cheap EAN codes online?
Codes not licensed to your company through GS1 can be rejected by retailers and marketplaces and may already be in use by someone else. GTINs should come from your own GS1 company prefix.
When is an SSCC required?
When a customer, typically a retailer, requires labelled logistics units, often together with an electronic advance shipping notice (DESADV). The requirement comes from the recipient.
Short definitions in the glossary: Barcode · EAN – European Article Number · GTIN – Global Trade Item Number · UPC – Universal Product Code · SSCC – Serial Shipping Container Code · GS1 · QR code – Quick Response code · RFID – Radio Frequency Identification
This page gives general information about logistics terms. It is not legal, customs or tax advice, and it does not describe the terms of any specific agreement with Karlholm Logistics.