Where to Purchase UPC Codes? And Why do You Need Them?

David Johnson
Published on May 11, 2024

Have you ever given a thought to the black and white stripes that you almost see on all products you purchase from the market or online? Those are barcodes or UPC codes, also known as Universal Product Codes, and they’re essential for any business that sells products. They act as a unique identifier for your product, streamlining inventory management, sales at checkout, and even customer tracking.

In short, if you’re selling products, you need UPCs. But from where you can purchase UPC codes? Here in this article, we will be discussing the topic of where to buy UPC codes and why you should choose a reputable seller.

Where to Purchase UPC Codes?

There are only two ways you can purchase UPC codes:

GS1 US (formerly the Uniform Code Council):

This is the official body that actually issued a barcode or UPCs. So, if you’re buying from here, then you don’t need to worry about all of the UPC codes because they store your data on their global database and it can be accessible from anywhere else in the world. You can buy any quantity from them, but the problem is the pricing from them is very, very high.

If you’re purchasing a single barcode from GS1, then that case you need to pay around $50, and this is a kind of renewal fee, so you have to pay this fee again in the next year.

Third-party Resellers:

If you buy UPC codes from the resellers then you only need to pay between $4 – $10 to have one single UPC. And if you want to buy more UPC code then the pricing will go down. For example, if you want to buy 100 UPC codes then you only have to pay around $50, and that’s it.

Best Third-Party UPC Code Sellers:

How Many UPC Codes Do You Need?

The need for a UPC is completely dependent on the product requirement. For example, if you’re listing a T-shirt with different colors and sizes. And you need to buy UPCs for every single variation of the product.

But if you have a product that has no variation then you only need a single UPC.

Additional Considerations

When purchasing UPC codes, consider these additional factors:

Barcode image generation: Some sellers offer barcode image generation services. This creates a high-quality image of your UPC that you can use on product packaging and marketing materials.
UPC registration process: You may need to register your UPCs with GS1 US. While not mandatory, registration offers additional benefits like increased brand protection and traceability.

Conclusion

UPC codes are essential for any business selling products. By purchasing UPC codes from a legitimate source, you ensure your products can be easily scanned and tracked throughout the supply chain. This simplifies your operations and provides valuable data for inventory management and sales analysis.

Remember, choosing a reputable seller is crucial to ensure the legitimacy of your UPCs. With the right codes in place, you’ll be well on your way to streamlining your business and reaching new customers.