# Barcode Registration (GS1 India)

> Retail barcodes in India are issued by GS1 India, the national affiliate of the global GS1 standards body set up under the Ministry of Commerce. A brand owner subscribes to GS1 India, receives a company prefix, and assigns a unique Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) to each product and variant, which is printed as an EAN-13 barcode. Fees depend on turnover and the number of barcodes, with an annual subscription.

Practice: Business Licences & Registrations — https://www.industax.com/services/business-licences/

Large retailers and marketplaces verify GTINs against the GS1 registry, so barcodes bought from resellers often cause listing rejections. Each size, flavour or pack variant needs its own GTIN.

We complete the GS1 application, set up your numbering scheme for products and variants, and coordinate barcode artwork with packaging and legal metrology labels.

## Key facts

| Item | Detail |
| --- | --- |
| Issuer | GS1 India |
| Identifier | GTIN printed as EAN-13 |
| Per product | One GTIN per product variant |
| Fees | Based on turnover and number of codes; annual subscription |

## Who needs this

- FMCG, apparel and consumer brands
- Sellers on Amazon, Flipkart and modern retail
- Exporters of retail-packed products

## What's included

- GS1 subscription application
- Product numbering plan
- Barcode artwork coordination

## Documents

- Business registration and GST
- Turnover proof
- Product list

## Process

1. **Apply** — GS1 India subscription filed.
2. **Number** — GTINs assigned per product.
3. **Print** — Barcodes added to packaging.

## FAQs

### Can I buy cheap barcodes from resellers?

Barcodes resold from another company's prefix aren't registered to your brand, and marketplaces and retailers that check the GS1 registry may reject them. A direct GS1 India subscription avoids this.

### Do I need a different barcode for each size?

Yes. Each distinct product variant — size, colour, flavour or pack quantity — needs its own GTIN.

### Is barcode registration mandatory?

It isn't required by law for most products, but it is required by most retailers and marketplaces, which makes it practically essential for retail sales.

## Official sources

- GS1 India: https://www.gs1india.org/

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Publisher: Indus Tax — CA-led tax and compliance firm (https://www.industax.com). Contact: info@industax.com, 9059139258.
This is general information, not advice for your specific facts.