Barcode Registration in India (GS1): Fees, Documents & Process for Amazon and Retail

If you sell on Amazon, Flipkart or in modern retail, you will be asked for a barcode, specifically a GTIN (Global Trade Item Number). In India, genuine GTINs are issued by GS1 India.

This guide covers fees, documents, the application process, and why the cheap barcodes sold online often cause listing problems.

What a GS1 Barcode Is

• A GTIN is a unique number for each product. The barcode is how that number is printed.
• When you register with GS1, you get a company prefix, and every GTIN you create starts with it.
• Your GTINs are recorded in GS1's global database against your company, which marketplaces check.

Which Barcode Do You Need?

Use	GS1 identifier	Barcode printed
Retail item scanned at checkout or listed online	GTIN-13	EAN-13
Very small retail packs	GTIN-8	EAN-8 (allotted separately by GS1)
Outer cartons and cases	GTIN-14	ITF-14 or GS1-128
Pallets and logistics units	SSCC	GS1-128
Batch, expiry or serial data, such as for medicines	GTIN plus application identifiers	GS1 DataMatrix or GS1-128

For Amazon, Flipkart and most retail listings, you need GTIN-13 (EAN-13) codes. Cartons and pallets matter once you supply large retailers or distributors.

GS1 India Fees: An Example

Fees depend on your turnover and the number of codes. As an example, for a business with turnover up to ₹5 crore taking 100 codes (as of 1 October 2026):

Item	Amount
Registration fee	₹27,000
Annual subscription	₹13,000
GST (18%)	₹7,200
Security deposit	₹3,000
Total	₹50,200

Higher turnover or more codes cost more. Check GS1 India's current fee table for your slab before applying.

Documents Required

• Company PAN
• GST registration
• Certificate of incorporation, partnership deed or proprietorship proof
• Proof of turnover, such as the latest ITR or a CA certificate
• Cancelled cheque or bank details
• Authorised signatory details and a letter on company letterhead
• List of products you plan to barcode

Application Process

1. Apply online on the GS1 India website and choose the number of codes.
2. Upload documents and pay the fee.
3. GS1 verification of documents.
4. Allotment of company prefix and access to GS1's product data system.
5. Create GTINs for each product and enter product data.
6. Print barcodes on packaging to GS1 size and quality guidelines.

The process usually takes 7 to 10 working days after a complete application and payment.

Why Resold Barcodes Get Rejected

Many websites sell barcodes cheaply. These numbers usually belong to a prefix registered to another company. When Amazon or a retailer checks the GS1 database, the brand name does not match yours, and the listing can be rejected or suppressed. Large retailers also ask for GS1 membership proof. Getting your own GS1 registration avoids this.

Tips for Using Barcodes

• One GTIN per variant: each size, colour and pack needs its own code.
• Never reuse a GTIN for a different product.
• Print quality matters: follow GS1 size, colour and quiet zone rules so scanners read it.
• Keep the subscription active so your codes stay valid.

Common Mistakes

• Buying too few codes. Count every variant and pack size first.
• Buying resold codes to save money, then having listings rejected.
• Wrong product data in the GS1 system, which marketplaces cross-check.

How Instacertify Helps

We work out how many codes you need, prepare documents, file the GS1 application and help set up product data and barcode artwork. See our barcode registration service.