Identification Numbers
1 |
Trade Items (GTIN) |
2 |
Logistic Units (SSCC, GSIN,GINC) |
3 |
Locations - (GLN) |
4 |
Assets (GRAI, GIAI) |
5 |
Service Relationships (GSRN) |
6 |
Documents (GDTI) |
Identification Numbers
One of the concepts underpinning the GS1 System is to provide a unique, non-significant number that can be used internationally for the identification of physical products, locations, parties and relationships throughout the supply chain. This number is known as a GS1 Identification Key or GS1 Identification Number.
Types of GS1 Identification Keys
Which GS1 Identification Key you need depends on what you want to identify, whether it's a DVD, pharmaceuticals, or a loyalty program.
The table below should assist with determining the appropriate GS1 Identification Key:
| What is identified | GS1 ID Key | GS1 Identification Key Definition | Examples |
Product |
GTIN |
Global Trade Item Number |
DVDs, pharmaceuticals, cereal |
Logistic units |
SSCC |
Serial Shipping Container Code |
Pallets, cartons |
Freight consignment |
GINC |
Global Identification Number for Consignment |
Consignment for transport |
Shipment |
GSIN |
Global Shipment Identification Number |
Direct shipment of goods from the seller to the buyer. |
Location |
GLN |
Global Location Number |
Warehouses, factories, stores |
Returnable assets |
GRAI |
Global Returnable Asset Identifier |
Pallet bases, crates, drums |
Assets |
GIAI |
Global Individual Asset Identifier |
Surgical equipment, computers, components |
Service relations |
GSRN |
Global Service Relation Number |
Members of a customer loyalty scheme, patients, employees |
Documents |
GDTI |
Global Document Type Identifier |
Invoices, shipment forms, insurance policies, banking documents |
GS1 Identification Keys are generally put into barcodes but can also be used in other carriers such as RFID tags. The GS1 Identification Keys can also be used in eMessaging transactions and as a component of synchronising product data between retailer and supplier.
The GS1 System also supports the identification of additional data in the form of attribute information
Trade Item Identification – Global Trade Item Number (GTIN)
A trade item is any item (product or service) upon which there is a need to retrieve pre-defined information that may be priced, ordered, or invoiced between trading partners at any point in the supply chain.
A Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) is used for the unique identification of trade items worldwide.
A GTIN-13, GTIN-8, GTIN-12 and GTIN-14 are all used to provide trade items with unique identification.
Basic principles for the identification of trade items include:
- Each trade item that is different from another must be allocated a separate, unique GTIN i.e. a specific trade item cannot have more than one GTIN assigned to it and a particular GTIN cannot be assigned to more than one trade item.
- An assigned GTIN must never be changed as long as the item it is assigned to is not modified in such a way that it needs to be differentiated from the initial trade item for ordering, stocking, or billing.
For guidelines on items requiring separate numbers and when to change a barcode number (GTIN), refer to the section on When to change a barcode number (GTIN)
The GTIN does not carry any information related to the trade item. The brand owner responsible for assigning the GTIN must communicate this information by Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) or other means to all business partners.
For more detailed information on allocating barcode numbers to trade items, specifically in the retail and non-retail environment, please click on the web links below:
Retail Trade Items
Any trade item that is to be sold to the final consumer through Point-Of-Sale is more commonly known as a retail item or a consumer unit. This is often identified using the GTIN-13, unless the product is physically too small to accommodate the size of the accompanying barcode, in which case a GTIN-8 may be appropriate and can be requested from GS1 Australia.
Important Note: Items numbered with a GTIN-13 or a GTIN-8 can be scanned worldwide. There may be some exceptions with some retailers in the United States and Canada. Items being exported to this part of the world may require a GTIN-12.
GTIN 13
The length of the GS1 Company Prefix used to construct a GTIN-13 can vary. GS1 Australia will issue a GS1 Company Prefix and this is used to form the GTINs. Many GS1 Company Prefixes are usually a nine-digit or a seven-digit number. Please contact GS1 Australia for further clarification.
The GTIN-13 structure is –
| GS1 Company Prefix > < Item Reference | Check Digit |
|||||||||||
N1 |
N2 |
N3 |
N4 |
N5 |
N6 |
N7 |
N8 |
N9 |
N10 |
N11 |
N12 |
N13 |
GTIN-8
Sometimes products are too small to accommodate a barcode that represents the GTIN-13. The GS1 System provides an alternative, which is a number and barcode that can be used on small products. These are called GTIN-8s and they are represented in EAN-8 Barcodes.
GS1 Australia follows strict application guidelines when approving and issuing GTIN-8s.
Before application, all efforts must be made to incorporate a GTIN-13 and its corresponding EAN-13 Barcode onto product packaging. If there is no possible way to alter packaging design to accommodate the EAN-13 Barcode, a GTIN-8 can be applied for.
When applying for a GTIN-8, it is necessary to provide GS1 Australia with:
- A sample of each product, label or actual size artwork (unless many products share identical packaging, in which case one sample will suffice).
- A complete list of every product requiring a GTIN-8.
- Written justification of why the package should be allocated a GTIN-8 and that all efforts have been made to accommodate an EAN-13 Barcode.
The GTIN-8 structure is -
| GS1-8 Prefix > < Item Reference | Check Digit |
||||||
N1 |
N2 |
N3 |
N4 |
N5 |
N6 |
N7 |
N8 |
An application form can be found here.
Non-retail trade items
Non-retail items are trade items not intended for sale to the consumer at the retail Point-Of-Sale (POS).
In the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector these are commonly referred to as trade units but in other sectors they could be any item that can be used without passing through a retail Point-Of- Sale environment.
Some examples of non-retail trade items are –
- An outer carton
- A pallet containing several cartons
- A display carton
- A piece of steel
- A reel of paper
- A pack of timber pieces
There are different options for the type of GTIN used for non-retail trade items. You can:
- Allocate a GTIN-13 from your current range of numbers
- Allocate a GTIN-14
The GTIN-14 structure is -
| Indicator | GTIN of the items contained (without Check Digit) |
Check Digit |
|||||||||||
N1 |
N2 |
N3 |
N4 |
N5 |
N6 |
N7 |
N8 |
N9 |
N10 |
N11 |
N12 |
N13 |
N14 |
If there is a possibility of a non-retail trade item being sold at retail POS, it must carry a GTIN-13 represented in an EAN-13 Barcode or a GTIN-12 represented in a UPC-A Barcode.
To view more information on how to allocate a Non-Retail GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) please refer to our fact sheets.
Exporting to US and Canada
Although North America set a sunrise date of January 2005 for the global use of the GTIN-13 and GTIN-8, a GTIN-12 may still be required at retail Point-of-Sale in the United States and Canada. This is because many North American retailers cannot accommodate a GTIN-13 or GTIN-8 in their 12-digit database files.
The GTIN 12 structure is -
| GS1 Company Prefix > < Item Reference | Check Digit |
||||||||||
N1 |
N2 |
N3 |
N4 |
N5 |
N6 |
N7 |
N8 |
N9 |
N10 |
N11 |
N12 |
While retailers in the US and Canada are gradually upgrading their systems, companies exporting to the US are strongly advised to ask their distributors if GTIN-13s and GTIN-8s are compatible with their retail customers' systems.
Currently, if you do need to number and barcode your retail items that will be sold in North America, you will need to become a member of GS1 Australia to obtain numbers that can be used. To obtain the required numbers contact our Customer Service Department on 1300 366 033.
Logistic Unit Identification
A logistic unit is an item of any composition established for transport and/or storage which needs to be managed through the supply chain. Tracking and tracing logistic units in the supply chain is a major application of the GS1 System.
There are identification numbers for:
- individual logistic units
- multiple logistic units for consignment
- multiple logistic units for shipment.
Individual Logistic Units
The Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC) is a standard number used for the unique identification of logistic units.
The SSCC is a unique, non-significant, 18-digit number, which is assigned by the company constructing the unit. It remains the same for the life of the unit.
The Serial Shipping Container Code provides a link between the physical logistic unit and information pertaining to the logistic unit that is communicated between trading partners using Electronic Data Interchange (EDI).
The SSCC is constructed as follows -
| Extension Digit |
GS1 Company Prefix > < Serial Reference | Check Digit |
|||||||||||||||
N1 |
N2 |
N3 |
N4 |
N5 |
N6 |
N7 |
N8 |
N9 |
N10 |
N11 |
N12 |
N13 |
N14 |
N15 |
N16 |
N17 |
N18 |
The SSCC is encoded in a GS1-128 Barcode and is represented by the Application Identifier (00). For further information on Application Identifiers please click here.
Multiple Logistic Units – Global Identification for Consignment
Consignments can comprise of one or more logistics units. A Global Identification Number for Consignment (GINC) identifies a logical grouping, the components of which are not necessarily physically attached together.
The GINC is assigned by the freight forwarder or carrier of the transport units.
GS1 uses the term shipment when referring to multiple logistic unit identification for trade.
The GINC is constructed as:
| GS1 Global Company Prefix > < Consignment Reference > |
|||||||||||||||
N1 ... Ni |
Xi+1 ... Xj (j <= 30) |
||||||||||||||
Multiple Logistic Units – Global Shipment Identification Number
Shipments can comprise of one or more logistics units. A Global Shipment Identification Number (GSIN) identifies a logical grouping, the components of which are not necessarily physically attached together.
The GSIN is assigned by a seller (sender) of the goods.
GS1 uses the term consignment for when referring to multiple logistic unit identification for transport.
The GSIN is constructed as:
| GS1 Global Company Prefix > < Shipper Reference | Check Digit |
|||||||||||||||
N1 |
N2 |
N3 |
N4 |
N5 |
N6 |
N7 |
N8 |
N9 |
N10 |
N11 |
N12 |
N13 |
N14 |
N15 |
N16 |
N17 |
Location Identification – GS1 Global Location Number (GLN)
Global Location Numbers (GLNs) offer an internationally-recognised standard solution for the identification of locations and parties.
Once assigned at the source - generally by the party owning the location - a GLN becomes a unique and universal reference which can be used by all trading partners. It is a non-significant 13-digit number and is simply used to identify:
- Physical Location - A site (an area, a structure or group of structures) or an area within where something was, is, or will be located.
- Party - Any legal entity or organisation (including regulatory or other public bodies), business function, group, or individual actor, a participant in one or more business processes.
Note: A party may have an address associated with it, whereas a physical location always has a geographical address.
The format of a GLN is structured in the same way as the GTIN-13 numbering structure:
| GS1 Company Prefix > < Location Reference | Check Digit |
|||||||||||
N1 |
N2 |
N3 |
N4 |
N5 |
N6 |
N7 |
N8 |
N9 |
N10 |
N11 |
N12 |
N13 |
GLNs can be used in EDI transactions to identify the sender and recipient of an electronic transmission, as well as any other party involved in the transaction. They also can be used in a barcode format to identify a physical location or to encode the identification of relevant parties in logistic applications, such as a 'ship-to' number.
For further information on GLN Allocation Rules, please click here
Although a GLN does not carry any information on the location it identifies, details associated with a GLN, such as:
- name and address
- location type
- contact person
- communications numbers
- banking information
- delivery condition, etc
can be stored in the computer files of system-users for later retrieval.
A GLN is automatically assigned by GS1 Australia to the company when they join as a member. If the member company requires subsequent GLNs, then they can create them by using their own GS1 Company Prefix from their pool of numbers, in the same way other 13-digit barcodes (GTINs) are allocated.
Companies who require a GLN and are not currently members of GS1 Australia can apply for a GLN-only membership.
GLN and Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)
In an EDI Message Interchange Header segment, there is a need to identify both sender and receiver and a GLN is ideal for this purpose. At the beginning of a commercial relationship using EDI, trading partners would advise each other of their GLNs. The information could subsequently be used to associate GLNs with location information and related operational, administrative, commercial and financial data of the trading partner.
These details would be stored in each party's computer system, in readiness for exchanging EDI messages.
Note: EDI is computer-to-computer data exchange and helps in the electronic creation and maintenance of commercial documents used in the procurement of goods and services.
Asset Identification
The GS1 System provides a method for the identification of assets. Best practices may dictate that the trade item manufacturer apply the asset identifier during the manufacturing process. Asset identifiers may be used for simple applications (eg. Personal computer). They can also be used for more complex applications such as recording the characteristics of a returnable asset (eg. reusable drum), its movements and its life-cycle history.
There are identification numbers for:
- returnable assets
- individual assets.
Global Individual Asset Identifier
In the GS1 System, an Individual Asset is considered a physical entity made up of any characteristics.
The Global Individual Asset Identifier (GIAI) is the GS1 Identification Key used to identify a particular physical entity as an asset (eg. aircraft parts).
The GIAI is assigned by the owner of the asset.
The GIAI structure is:
| GS1 Company Prefix > < Individual Asset Reference > |
|||||||||||||||
N1 ... Ni |
Xi+1 ... Xj (j <= 30) |
||||||||||||||
Global Returnable Asset Identifier
A returnable asset is a reusable package or transport equipment of a certain value, such as a beer keg, a gas cylinder, a plastic pallet, or a crate. The GS1 Identification Key for a returnable asset, the Global Returnable Asset Identifier (GRAI), enables tracking as well as recording of all relevant data with the individual asset or asset reference. The GRAI is assigned for the lifetime of the asset.
The GRAI is constructed as:
| GS1 Company Prefix > < Asset Type | Check Digit |
Serial Number (optional) |
||||||||||||
0 |
N1 |
N2 |
N3 |
N4 |
N5 |
N6 |
N7 |
N8 |
N9 |
N10 |
N11 |
N12 |
N13 |
X1 variable X16 |
Service Relationships Identification
The Global Service Relationship Number (GSRN) is the GS1 Identification Key used to identify the recipient of services in the context of a service relationship (eg. membership in a frequent flyer or loyalty program). It is used to enable access to a database entry for recording recurring services. The GSRN is usually assigned by the service provider.
The GSRN is constructed as:
| GS1 Company Prefix > < Service Reference | Check Digit |
||||||||||||||||
N1 |
N2 |
N3 |
N4 |
N5 |
N6 |
N7 |
N8 |
N9 |
N10 |
N11 |
N12 |
N13 |
N14 |
N15 |
N16 |
N17 |
N18 |
Document Identification
The term “document” is applied broadly to cover any official or private papers that infer a right (eg. proof of ownership) or obligation (eg. call for military service) upon the bearer.
The Global Document Type Identifier (GDTI) is the GS1 Identification Key for a document type combined with an optional serial number and used to access database information that is required for document control purposes. The GDTI is assigned for the life time of the document type.
The GDTI is constructed as:
| GS1 Company Prefix > < Document Type | Check Digit |
Serial Number (optional) |
|||||||||||
N1 |
N2 |
N3 |
N4 |
N5 |
N6 |
N7 |
N8 |
N9 |
N10 |
N11 |
N12 |
N13 |
N1 variable N17 |
Attribute Information
Attribute information is any information over and above the item identification number, the GTIN. In the GS1 System, Application Identifiers (AIs) allow you to represent attribute information such as batch numbers, serial numbers, expiration dates, and measurements, as well as item identification, locations, assets, and shipments in a standard format. Please note any attribute data must be associated with the appropriate GS1 Identification Key, which also has its own Application Identifier.
Each AI is a two to four-digit prefix that defines the meaning and format of the data that follows. AIs allow data to be represented in barcodes in a form that can be scanned and interpreted by any company in the supply chain.
The data following the AI may comprise of alphabetic and/or numeric characters, of any length up to 30 characters, in either fixed or variable length fields depending on the AI. Individual AI structures are available in the GS1 Australia User Manual, Numbering and Bar Coding.
