A barcode is a technology that visually encodes data, allowing machines to easily read and decode it. In retail, 1D barcodes use alternating black and white bars to represent a unique string of numbers. Optical scanners read these patterns and decode the information, which can include details such as price, product name, and brand.

The most common retail barcode types are the 13-digit EAN-13 (International Article Number) and the 12-digit UPC-A (Universal Product Code). Both of these are included in every standard barcode package order we supply.

In South Africa, the primary barcode format used for most retail items is EAN-13, an international standard. Exceptions include books and magazines (ISBN/ISSN) and pharmaceuticals, such as prescription medicine (Pharmacodes). Additionally, the 12-digit UPC-A barcode, originally designed for North America, is also accepted in South Afrca and is recognised globally

Almost every retailer today requires barcodes on stocked items to manage ordering, pricing, sales data, point of sale, and inventory. An EAN-13 or UPC-A barcode is commonly required for all products in a retailer’s inventory. To ensure your products can reach the widest market possible, it is strongly recommended that you acquire barcodes for your products.

A unique EAN-13 or UPC-A barcode is required for each individual item you intend to sell. Product variations, such as size and colour, also require their own unique barcode. For example, if you are selling socks in different colours and sizes, a separate barcode would be needed for each variant.

We recommend obtaining a sufficient quantity of barcodes to cover both your existing products and any future additions to your product range. Any unused barcodes can be assigned at a later date, as there is no expiry or time limit on their use.

When you supply your products to a retailer, they will link the unique barcode number to your product details, such as name, type, price, etc. This allows the product information to appear when it is scanned at checkout. Typically, you will need to complete a product information form that associates your product and company details with the unique barcode number for each item. The retailer will then enter this information into their sales and inventory systems, enabling your product to be scanned at the point of sale and tracked using their stock management software.

Barcodes from Barcodes Savers SA provide authentic GTIN numbers sourced from the same system as GS1 (UCC), making them accepted by the majority of retailers in South Africa and worldwide. However, some international retailers may specifically require direct GS1 membership. We recommend reviewing the latest barcode requirements on our Barcode Acceptance page. Before purchasing, it’s a good idea to check with the retailers you plan to stock to understand their specific barcode policies.

While our barcodes are widely accepted, some retailers may require a Barcode Verification Report to ensure proper scanning at checkout. You can arrange this through a third party or directly with GS1, even if you obtained your numbers from us. Our barcodes typically pass verification if printed correctly within the 80% – 200% magnification range and are not significantly altered in graphic design.

Many sellers on Amazon successfully use reseller barcodes like ours to list their products. However, we cannot guarantee that our barcodes will always be accepted on Amazon, as Amazon may use GS1’s GEPIR/Verified by GS1 system, among other methods, to verify brand ownership. For further clarification and to review any known limitations of using GTINs on Amazon, please visit our Amazon Acceptance page.

No, Barcode Savers does not upload your product or company data to GS1’s GEPIR/Verified by GS1 database. No barcode resellers can do this. The numbers we supply pre-date the GS1 subscription model and are no longer managed by GS1. GS1 does not update their database to reflect the current owners of pre-subscription model barcodes.

It’s a common misconception that the GEPIR database links barcode numbers to products. In fact, the GEPIR database only provides information about the original holder of the prefix and does not link your product to your barcode in most retail stores. Additionally, while the new Verified by GS1 website may display product information, it is not integrated with retail stores and functions only as an online database. We recommend using gtinlookup.org to list your barcode and product data online for free.

Yes, our barcode packages of 10, 100, and 1000 include a globally unique company prefix with product allocation ranges. Specifically, the ranges are 0-9 for 10 barcodes, 00-99 for 100 barcodes, and 000-999 for 1000 barcodes. Other packages do not include this feature, but rest assured, all barcodes we supply are globally unique. For more details, please visit our Company Prefixes page.

Joining GS1 South Africa and licensing barcodes directly from them can be costly for small businesses. GS1 charges upfront and annual fees, which can total thousands of dollars, even for just one barcode. In contrast, our barcodes come from the same global body as GS1 but without hidden or subscription fees. You’ll receive a barcode for your product’s lifetime, with no additional costs.

We believe in simplicity. You shouldn’t need a seminar or a thick manual to understand barcoding. We make it easy for small businesses by reducing costs and complexity. Forget about annual fees, complicated forms, and dealing with GS1 Alliance partners. We simplify the product identification process for you.

Yes, your barcode number is completely unique and linked only to the product you assign it to. All barcodes sold by Barcode Savers originate from GS1 (formerly the Uniform Code Council) and are guaranteed to be globally unique. Each barcode is supplied with a PDF certificate of authenticity.

Occasionally, customers ask us to store their product information “in” the barcode. However, the barcode itself only encodes a unique number. Product details such as price, brand, and name are stored in the retailer’s database. The unique number is used to retrieve this information for quick and efficient checkout.

No, barcodes supplied by Barcode Savers pre-date GS1’s subscription model and are not subject to expiry. When you purchase barcodes from us, they are yours for life.

No, GS1 cannot assign your barcodes (purchased at Barcode Savers) to another company. Barcodes from the Uniform Code Council (UCC) era were ruled to be the property of the companies to which they were originally issued. Early attempts by GS1 to impose annual fees on UCC-issued prefixes led to a class-action lawsuit, resulting in a $3.8 million settlement. As a result, these prefixes remain the property of the original companies.

The UCC-era barcodes we supply have been purchased outright from the previous prefix holders under these terms. GS1 no longer manages UCC-era barcodes or prefixes and has no legal rights over them.

It should be noted that a search in GS1’s database will show the first holder of a UCC prefix, as GS1’s records reflect historical ownership.

When you purchase barcodes from GS1, you’re required to pay upfront fees along with additional annual charges. For businesses with only a small number of products, the costs associated with GS1 membership can be quite high. At Barcode Savers, we’ve secured bulk quantities of genuine GTIN numbers and charge a one-off fee for your purchase. Our numbers pre-date GS1’s subscription model and are not subject to any annual fees. You retain full ownership of your barcodes, and there are no hidden or ongoing costs.

Yes, we offer ITF-14 barcodes as part of our Special Orders service. If you need carton codes to accompany your product barcodes, feel free to contact us. For more information about ITF-14 Carton Codes, please visit our support article.

To get started, simply visit our purchase page and select the barcode package that suits your needs. Before making a purchase, please ensure you have read our conditions of sale. If you have any questions or uncertainties, feel free to explore the comprehensive resources available on our site or contact us for assistance.

For further details, visit our support section or email us at contact@barcodesavers.co.za.