These companies bought bulk quantities of UPC prefixes years ago (before GS1 changed its licensing rules) and sell individual codes to small businesses. They are much cheaper but come with some risks regarding retail acceptance. 2. Where to Buy

When buying UPCs online, you generally have two options: buying directly from the official source or using a third-party reseller.

If your primary goal is selling on , be very careful. Amazon’s policy states that they verify UPCs against the GS1 database. If your barcode doesn't match the brand name in the GS1 registry, your listing could be suppressed or removed. For long-term success on Amazon, buying directly from GS1 is highly recommended. 4. How to Complete Your Purchase

Visit gs1us.org. They recently introduced a "Single GS1 US GTIN" for around $30 with no annual renewal fee, making it much more affordable for small startups than it used to be.

You’ll need your company name and basic contact details.

GS1 is the global organization that sets the standards for barcodes. When you buy from them, you get a Company Prefix that identifies your brand. This is the gold standard and is required by many major retailers (like Walmart, Target, and increasingly, Amazon).

Never just invent a 12-digit number. It won’t scan, and it will cause massive logistical headaches.