UPC barcodes are the retail barcode standard for US and North American markets. If you’ve got plans to sell into those markets, your products need valid UPCs - and as the UK’s only official UPC barcode provider, we’re here to help you get started.
Although they use the same underlying GTIN system, UPCs vary subtly from EAN-13. UPC-A uses 12 digits, EAN-13 uses 13 - but stem from the same GS1 Company Prefix. With our simple and streamlined signup process, you can use your prefix and start using UPC today.
How to get a UPC Barcode with GS1 UK
Join GS1 UK
Receive your GS1 Company Prefix
Assign a GTIN to each product
How to get a UPC Barcode with GS1 UK
Register your products in the GS1 UK registry
Generate and download your UPC barcodes
Manage your GTINs and product data
Benefits of UPC Barcodes
Access the North American Market
UPC is the retail standard across the US and Canada, and without one your products can’t be listed or scanned at North American POS.
Built on the Trusted GS1 System
Your GTIN is the same whether it’s encoded as a UPC or an EAN. Your GS1 Company Prefix covers you across both formats.
Accepted by All Major US Retailers
Walmart, Target, Amazon US, Costco, you name it. All major US retailers use UPC barcodes, opening them up to your business.
Scannable at POS Worldwide
Modern scanners read UPC and EAN interchangeably, so using UPC won’t cause you headaches in other markets.
Protect Your Brand Identity
A UPC issued by GS1 UK is linked to your Company Prefix, meaning your product data is accurate and verifiable in the database.
Fully Scalable
One GS1 Company Prefix covers your full product range across multiple markets, giving you scalability however it grows.
UPC Barcodes Are Commonly Used in…
The sheer amount of information GS1-128 barcodes can encode in one place has earned them a place as the global logistics standard. And with the number of compliance requirements increasing over time, more businesses are seeing the need to get set up. Here are some industries already taking advantage of GS1-128:
This is perhaps the biggest UPC use case. Any food or drink brand looking to sell into any US grocery chain, convenience store, or other food service retail needs a UPC on each and every SKU. Remember - each variation needs its own GTIN & UPC.
Cosmetics, skincare, supplements, personal care products - all are another common use case for UPC, especially amongst UK brands looking to enter US markets. Major chains like Walgreens, CVS, Target and others require compliant UPC barcodes.
For retailers looking to sell their products in US stores like Macy’s or Nordstrom, UPC is crucial. It’s an easy, compliant way to mark each size and colour combination in your range, ensuring they can be sold in US and North American markets with no snags.
Transform standards worldwide
GS1 delivers the traceability and data sharing infrastructure that allows business and consumers to make sustainable and safe choices. For more than 50 years we have helped our members to adapt, thrive and make ambitious improvements.
To this day, our globally recognised standards remain essential for powering the ability to identify, capture and share interoperable data.
members in the UK
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scans of GS1 barcodes every day
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Membership plans
GS1 UK membership is flexible and based on your annual turnover, making it suitable for small food producers through to established grocery brands. Pricing starts from £50 per year, with scalable packages to support expanding product ranges, pack formats and distribution channels.
| Turnover | Number of GTINs & barcodes | Price (ex VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| Up to £99,999 | 10 | £50/year |
| £100,000 - £499,999 | 100 | £100/year |
| £500,000 - £999,999 | 1,000 | £130/year |
| £1,000,000 - £9,999,999 | 1,000 | £200/year |
| £10,000,000 - £49,999,999 | 10,000 | £450/year |
| £50,000,000 - £249,999,999 | 10,000 | £1,750/year |
| £250,000,000 - £999,999,999 | 100,000 | £3,250/year |
| Over £1,000,000,000 | 100,000 | £4,250/year |
Select your annual turnover
Your membership plan will include:
- GTINs, barcodes, GLNs and QR codes
- 1 GS1 Company Prefix (GCP)
- Access to GS1 standards
- Access to partner networks
- Free support and training
Benefits of Choosing GS1 UK for Your GS1-128 Barcodes
The Only Legitimate Source
Our barcodes are guaranteed to be legitimate and will pass any and all retailer validation checks, giving you full peace of mind
Globally Verified
GTINs registered in the GS1 database will be verifiable in the global registry, meaning that leading US retailers like Amazon US and Walmart will be able to sell your products.
All Formats Covered
UPC, EAN, GS1-128 are all covered by the same Company Prefix, so as your company grows and expands into new markets you don’t need to start afresh each time
Expert UK-based Support
Selling into new markets - especially the US - can be complicated. Our UK-based support team are on hand to help with any issues you may encounter
Trusted by Thousands of UK Businesses
Our barcodes power thousands of UK businesses just like yours to realise their aspirations of selling into US and North American retailers.
We’re Not a Reseller
Only GS1 UK can provide legitimate GS1-issued barcodes in the UK, meaning that when you register with us you never need to worry about authenticity or validation issues.
UPC Resources & Support
New to UPC barcodes or selling into US markets? Start here:
Get a UPC Barcode Today
UPC barcodes from GS1 UK are the only legitimate, globally recognised route for UK businesses looking to sell into North American retail. And with our simple signup process, you can start selling into this expansive, lucrative market quickly and easily.
With your UPC barcodes issued under your GS1 Company Prefix and registered in the global GS1 database, you can be assured of acceptance by all major US retailers and platforms. So whether you’re an established exporter or you’re taking your first steps into this new market, GS1 UK is here to help.
Become a GS1 UK member to get your UPC barcode today, or talk to our team if you have any questions.
