Registering Your Barcodes
Make sure that the barcodes you purchase are registered!
Barcodes need to be registered on an online barcode database to ensure that no barcode is used on more than one unique product.
Barcodes that you buy will always come registered in an online barcode database. If your barcode seller cannot guarantee this, rather buy barcodes through another barcode seller who will register your barcodes for free as this is an easy process. There are plenty of legitimate barcode sellers in South Africa and internationally that will be able to supply you with registered barcodes.
In South Africa and abroad, retailers in general will only accept products with registered barcodes as this prevents duplicate barcodes being scanned into their system.
Barcodes need to be registered on an online barcode database to ensure that no barcode is used on more than one unique product.
Barcodes that you buy will always come registered in an online barcode database. If your barcode seller cannot guarantee this, rather buy barcodes through another barcode seller who will register your barcodes for free as this is an easy process. There are plenty of legitimate barcode sellers in South Africa and internationally that will be able to supply you with registered barcodes.
In South Africa and abroad, retailers in general will only accept products with registered barcodes as this prevents duplicate barcodes being scanned into their system.
Barcode Registration vs GS1 Registration
Registering your barcodes is very different to registering with GS1. While the former process is simply listing the barcode numbers that you are using on an online database, the latter process is more than that. GS1 registration means you are registering your company with the GS1 international barcode organisation, as well as subscribing to their terms and conditions.
While registering your barcodes is a free process (since it is done when you purchase your barcodes), registering your company with GS1 requires membership fees as well as renewal / subscription fees every year, for each barcode on their system that you are using. To register with GS1 online, you will need to have the following things on hand:
Although GS1 is the only international organisation that governs retail barcodes, there are alternative methods to get barcodes that are more affordable for smaller to medium sized business who do not need hundreds and thousands of barcodes.
While registering your barcodes is a free process (since it is done when you purchase your barcodes), registering your company with GS1 requires membership fees as well as renewal / subscription fees every year, for each barcode on their system that you are using. To register with GS1 online, you will need to have the following things on hand:
- Company Registration Number
- VAT Number
- Your SA ID Number
- All the contact details for your Finance department, and your GS1 contact person
- Credit Card details to pay your fees
- If you are already a member, and want a secondary range, have your existing GS1 Prefix on hand
Although GS1 is the only international organisation that governs retail barcodes, there are alternative methods to get barcodes that are more affordable for smaller to medium sized business who do not need hundreds and thousands of barcodes.