GTIN stands for Global Trade Item Number. It is a numbering system developed by GS1 System (http://www.gs1.org) for identifying trade items such as products and services. The system provides unique identification worldwide and a GTIN can be used in barcodes or as Electronic Product Codes in Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags.
GTIN is an umbrella term introduced to ensure consistent terminology worldwide. It is important not to confuse a GTIN with a barcode. A GTIN can be represented by 8, 12, 13 or 14 digits. The number is encoded using existing barcode symbology. The following tables show the different GTINs and the barcode used for encoding the number.
Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) Barcode
GTIN-8
Using EAN8 Barcode
GTIN-12
Using UPCA Barcode
Using UPCE Barcode
GTIN-13
Using EAN13 Barcode
GTIN-14
Using UCCEAN 128 (now known as GS1-128)
Using ITF14 Barcode
Using Reduced Space Symbology (now known as GS1 Databar 14) Barcode
About GS1
The GS1 organization is formed in 2005 and comprises of the former EAN International and Uniform Code Council (UCC) organizations. UCC is known for successfully implementing the 12-digit identification number known as the Universal Product Code (UPC) in the United States. EAN International later developed the UPC system for use outside North America.
Creating GTIN Barcodes using ConnectCode
ConnectCode supports all the different variations of GTIN-based barcodes. This includes EAN8 (for GTIN-8), UPCA/UPCE (for GTIN-12), EAN13 (for GTIN-13) and ITF14/UCCEAN128/GS1Databar14 (for GTIN-14).
