Product selection and buyer
satisfaction are instrumental to Amazon's success. By providing
industry-standard product identifiers for their listings, sellers improve the
quality of the Amazon catalog as a whole.
Promoting confidence in the range of products depicted in
the Amazon catalog - from Books to Jewelry to Tools - helps to ensure a
high-quality experience for customers.
Most categories require sellers to use a
product identifier to create new product pages and
listings. The specific GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) required for product page
creation and matching varies by category, although EANs or UPCs are most
commonly used. The requirements of each category, including exceptions and
exemptions where available, are summarized in the table on the Overview of Category Requirements for Product IDs
page.
Understanding Product IDs
Using the product identifier to create new
product pages is an important element for ensuring a high-quality experience for
customers. Using standard identifiers also makes it easier for other sellers to
make subsequent data contributions to product pages.
Guidelines for
UPC and GTIN
Most categories require
sellers to use a Global Trade Identification Number (GTIN), such as an EAN,
a UPC, EAN, or an ISBN as a product identifier when creating new product
pages or matching up with existing pages in the Amazon catalog.
Sellers must use the correct product
identifier for the item they are listing. The use of false product
identification information by a seller, including incorrect or purchased
EAN/UPC codes, is prohibited and can result in the suspension of your seller
account.
In some categories, sellers may list
products that do not have a product identifier. For rare or collectible
items, publisher information or manufacturer model and part numbers may be
accepted in place of an ISBN or EAN/UPC.
In some categories, sellers may list
products that do not have a product identifier. For rare or collectible
items, manufacturer model and part numbers may be accepted in place of an
EAN/UPC.
For brands that have no verifiable barcodes, sellers can
request EAN/UPC exemptions. Requirements
for these exceptions may vary across categories or for different types of
products in the same category.
Certain products are not allowed on the
Amazon website under any conditions. Our Restricted
Products section provides information about prohibited and
permitted products.
Valid UPCs
We verify the authenticity of product
identifiers by checking the GS1 database. EANs/UPCs that do not match the
information provided by GS1 will be considered invalid. We recommend obtaining
your product identifier directly from GS1 (and not from other third parties
selling EAN/UPC licenses) to ensure the appropriate information is reflected in
the GS1 database.
Note: All invalid product EAN or UPC listings will be removed and may result in
your ASIN creation or selling privileges being temporarily or permanently
removed. For more information on licensing EANs/UPCs from GS1, see the GS1
website.