What is a Global Trade Item Number?

The Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) is an identifier for trade items, developed by GS1. These identifiers are used to look up product information in a database which may belong to a retailer or manufacturer. This unique identifier is useful in establishing products in databases and corresponds to which product in another database, especially across organizational boundaries.

GTINs are calculated using the GS1 company prefix. Companies must register with GS1 for their Company prefix and is assigned at the packaging level.

GTINs are used at retail point of sale and on inner packs, cases and pallets of products in a distribution or warehouse environment. GTINs are used in purchase orders and in delivery and payment documents.

The GTIN is required for the GDSN (Global Data Synchronization Network) and various types of e-commerce transactions. The GTIN is then placed in a bar code or Electronic Product Code (EPC) with the information contained in the electronic documents processed between trading partners.

The GTIN is the building block for GS1 for global trade and is established as the international standard for trade items. When items have GTINs, items can be sourced and traded globally once they are scanned and data is retrieved from GS1 compliant applications.