Do I Need a GS1 Barcode? When to Use GS1 vs Non-GS1
If you’re preparing to launch a product and need a UPC barcode, one of the most common questions is:
“Do I need a GS1 barcode, or can I use a third-party barcode service?”
This article clears up the confusion by explaining how GS1 works, what “GS1-compliant” really means, and why buying GS1-origin barcodes outright—like the ones offered at UPCs.com—can save your business time and money while remaining compliant.
What Is GS1?
GS1 (Global Standards 1) is an organization that issues and manages global product identifiers—including the UPC barcode. When you buy barcodes from GS1 directly, you purchase a company prefix license that identifies your business and allows you to create a certain number of UPCs under that license.
But here’s the catch:
GS1 now charges high setup fees and annual renewal costs, even if you don’t use all your codes.
The Truth About Third-Party Barcode Sellers
Not all barcode resellers are created equal. Some sell fake or reused codes, which can cause Amazon rejections or retail compliance issues.
At UPCs.com, we do things differently.
- Every code we sell was originally issued by GS1.
- We purchased these codes in bulk before GS1’s restrictive license model.
- You’re buying valid, unique GS1-origin codes with no ongoing fees.
- You receive instant delivery and printable barcode images.
- Our codes are accepted on Amazon, eBay, Etsy, Walmart Marketplace, and many other platforms.
These are real GS1 barcodes—you just own them outright, instead of renting them year after year.
GS1 vs GS1-Origin Codes from UPCs.com
| Feature | GS1 Direct | UPCs.com |
|---|---|---|
| GS1-issued | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| One-time cost | ❌ No (Annual fees) | ✅ Yes (Own forever) |
| Cost for 100 UPC codes | 💰 $750 setup + $150/year (as of 2025) | 💵 One-time $90 (no renewals) |
| Works on Amazon, eBay, Etsy | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Works for Walmart in-store | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Immediate delivery | ❌ No (manual approval) | ✅ Yes (instant access) |
Summary:
Both options provide valid UPC barcodes originally issued by GS1. The main difference is in ownership and cost structure:
- With GS1 Direct, you’re essentially renting barcodes. You pay an expensive upfront setup fee plus annual renewal fees—forever.
- With UPCs.com, you’re buying the barcodes outright. No renewals, no hidden costs, no expiration. You get full, permanent ownership of your GS1-origin codes at a fraction of the cost.
For most businesses—especially online sellers—UPCs.com offers a much more flexible and affordable way to stay compliant and launch products quickly.
Some sellers assume they must buy directly from GS1, but in reality, that’s often not necessary.
Barcodes from UPCs.com are GS1-origin codes and have been successfully used by:
- ✅ Brands with hundreds or thousands of SKUs
- ✅ Sellers registered under Amazon Brand Registry
- ✅ Products sold through large retailers, including both online and in-store
- ✅ Distributors, wholesalers, and supply chain partners worldwide
Why UPCs.com Is the Better Choice
For most small-to-medium businesses and online sellers, buying GS1-origin codes from UPCs.com offers the best of both worlds.
✅ You want GS1-compliant barcodes without the recurring cost
Our barcodes were issued directly by GS1 before the licensing model changed—so they’re still compliant and unique.
✅ You’re selling on Amazon, Etsy, eBay, or Shopify
Our barcodes work seamlessly across these platforms. Unless you’re applying for Brand Registry, they’re fully accepted.
✅ You want to launch multiple products without recurring fees
No renewals, no subscriptions, no software licenses—just one-time barcode ownership.
✅ You need instant delivery and printable barcodes
Every order includes barcode images (EPS, PNG, and SVG) and a certificate of authenticity.
Common Myths About UPC Barcodes
❌ “Only GS1 barcodes are valid.”
Fact: UPCs.com barcodes are GS1-origin barcodes. They were issued by GS1—just not registered under your company prefix.
❌ “Amazon will reject third-party barcodes.”
Fact: Amazon accepts our barcodes on millions of listings. Only sellers applying for Brand Registry need to worry about GS1 registration.
❌ “I can reuse a UPC code.”
Fact: You should never reuse UPCs for different products. Every variation should have a unique code—even when it’s from GS1 or UPCs.com.
Final Thoughts
If you’re launching a product and want a valid, compliant UPC code, you have two options:
1. Buy or rent from GS1
💸 High upfront costs + annual fees
2. Buy GS1-origin codes from UPCs.com
✅ Best for Amazon, Etsy, eBay, and Shopify sellers
✅ One-time cost, no renewals or hidden costs
✅ Fast, affordable, and reliable
🔒 Trusted by Over 150,000 Businesses Worldwide
At UPCs.com, we’ve helped thousands of sellers get started with reliable, scannable, GS1-origin barcodes—backed by decades of experience and world-class customer support.
👉 Get your barcodes now
👉 Need barcode labels too? We print and ship them