Do you need only a few numbers?

2004 - 2011

In the past I have told everyone that the only place to obtain a legitimate U.P.C. number is from the GS1 US (formerly UCC).
Since then I learned that there are several places where one can obtain a subset of a U.P.C. number issued to another company. GS1 US considers it is against their rules and inappropriate for a company to purchase a U.P.C. number from them and then resell subsets of the number to other people. However, the rules were not codified in their license agreement until August of 2002, and therefore, if a company sells a subset of a number they obtained prior to August 2002, there is little recourse available to GS1 US. Several companies are now selling numbers. They are a good alternative to buying from GS1 US, however, please read before you buy. Below is a list of resellers that I have contacted and verified to my satisfaction that they are legitimate and have a right to sell their numbers.

In the past I have listed companies that I have contacted and verified to my satisfaction that they are legitimate UPC resellers and have a right to sell their numbers. As of August 13, 2011 that list has been moved to Authenticated UPC Registration Directory.

The companies have been asked to register at the Authenticated UPC Registration Directory. This directory is a much more appropriate and authoritative site than my personal web page. It also provides considerably more information related to those that sell UPC numbers and those who have purchased numbers from them.

Those that I believe do not have a legal right to sell numbers from their prefix will continue to be listed here.

When examining the UPC resellers at the Authenticated UPC Registration Directory please check each one thoroughly. Read their terms carefully. Some companies do not offer any warranty and others only "rent" their number, retaining all rights to the number. Also note that some companies offer additional services.

Your decision should not be influenced by the "glitz" of their site. Understand that adjectives like "official", "authorized", or statements that state or imply that your U.P.C. number will be registered with GS1/UCC are only marketing hype (GS1 only registers the prefix not individual numbers). Some resellers will register your number with the Authenticated UPC Registration Directory. Choose the reseller best suited to your needs.

The following companies have sites selling U.P.C. bar codes but
I have not listed them above as verified for one or more of the following various reasons.
Those reasons include but are not limited to:

1. They did not respond to my repeated Emails requesting information.
2. The advertising at their web sites are misleading or patently untrue.
3. I could not verify the information they submitted.
4. They are prohibited by agreement with the organization issuing their prefix from subdividing and/or selling subsets of their prefix.

UPCexpress
Aurea Media
Cheap UPC Barcode

Record and CD labels:

Some record labels such as CD Baby and Ampcast include a bar code and number for a more reasonable fee when handling music CDs. See www.musicians.about.com for details.

Another record label, Independent Records offers the same service. See www.indierec.com for details.

If anyone finds other places selling subset numbers, please notify the Authenticated UPC Registration Directory for the benefit of others.
Also, if anyone finds that a company is not living up to statements they have made, please notify the Directory.

Of course a caveat is in order. GS1 US warns:
"The numbers assigned will continue to direct ownership and identify only the company to which they are assigned. This could potentially cause legal or liability issues for the company who sold the numbers and may cause disruption to you selling your product with someone else's bar code on it. However, we are not responsible for identifying products which contain someone else's bar code and the ramifications of doing so will be handled solely by your trading partners. They will ultimately decide whether your product can be sold and your sales tracked within their individual stores." from Chelsea Bailey Uniform Code Council, Inc. Customer Service (26 Nov 2003). Also Click here. to read my comments on this and other letters from GS1 US to visitors to my web site.

GS1 US has implemented the Variable Length Prefix but it is no more friendly to the small user than before. (SeeUpdate for the small user .)Therefore my advice to those needing only a few numbers remains the same: Buy the number where you get the best bargain.

Another concern expressed in several e-mails, was what happens if one needs more reference numbers that their present Variable Length Prefix allows? GS1 US said, “When a company obtains their UCC Company Prefix from the UCC, the prefix itself is licensed, not the item reference numbers or full UCC-12. If a company has exhausted the capacity under their current UCC Company Prefix, the member will need to apply for an additional UCC Company Prefix. If approved, the member will be issued another UCC Company Prefix with additional item reference capacity.”

George J. Laurer

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Revised: September 21, 2011