A barcode is a technology that visually represents data in a machine-readable format. 1D retail barcodes use alternating black and white bars to encode a unique string of numbers. These numbers can be scanned and decoded using an optical scanner, which retrieves information about the product, such as its price, name, and brand.
The primary barcode format used in Hong Kong is EAN-13, which is the international standard outside of North America. The 12-digit UPC-A format, although originally intended for North America (United States and Canada), is also accepted in Hong Kong and internationally. Additionally, EAN-8 and UPC-E barcodes are used for smaller product packaging. These are compact 8-digit versions of EAN-13 and UPC-A, designed to fit on smaller items.
EAN-13 and UPC-A barcodes are suitable for all retail products, except for books and magazines (which require ISBN and ISSN codes) and pharmaceuticals (which use pharmacodes).
Barcode requirements are set by retailers, not a governing authority. While barcodes are not legally mandatory, nearly all retailers require them on stocked products. Barcodes help retailers manage pricing, ordering, sales data, point of sale, and inventory. An EAN-13 barcode is commonly required for products in a retailer’s inventory, both in Hong Kong and globally. To ensure your product can reach the widest market possible, it is strongly recommended that you acquire a barcode for your product.
When supplying products to a retailer, you’ll typically complete a product information form, linking your product and company details to the unique barcode number. The retailer will then enter your product details into their sales and inventory systems. This allows your product to be scanned at the point of sale and monitored by stock tracking software, ensuring smooth operation and accurate inventory management.
Barcode Savers’ barcodes originate from the UCC (now known as GS1) and are accepted by the vast majority of retail stores in Hong Kong and globally. However, we always recommend that you contact the retailers where you intend to stock your products to inquire about their barcode policies before making a purchase with us. Barcode restrictions, such as a direct GS1 membership requirement, are typically outlined in the vendor agreement. You can request a vendor agreement or application from most retailers.
No barcode reseller can guarantee universal acceptance, as retailers set their own guidelines and policies. Thankfully, only a small number of retailers worldwide require direct GS1 membership and we have thousands of clients successfully using our barcodes in stores globally without any issues. Please visit our barcode acceptance page for known restrictions.
Registering with GS1 HK can be prohibitively expensive for small business owners and traders. GS1 requires an initial membership fee, along with ongoing yearly subscription charges, which can quickly add up, even if you only need a single barcode.
Our barcodes originate from GS1’s predecessor, the Uniform Code Council, and are not subject to licensing fees. This means that when you purchase from us, there are no subscription charges. It’s a cost-effective way to get your products to market while saving money during the early stages of your business.
Yes, your barcode is completely unique and, once assigned by you, is exclusively linked to your product. All barcodes sold by Barcode Savers originate from the Uniform Code Council (UCC, now known as GS1 US) and are guaranteed to be unique. Our certificates guarantee that the barcodes are of UCC origin, belong to the purchaser, are globally unique, and will never be assigned to a third party.
The barcodes supplied by Barcode Savers Hong Kong start in the 060 – 089 number range. These are GTINs (Global Trade Item Numbers) of UCC/GS1 origin, suitable for use on products in Hong Kong and globally.
The 489 series barcodes, however, are only available through direct membership with GS1 Hong Kong. It’s important to note that 489 barcodes do not indicate a product’s country of origin, contrary to common misconception. Additionally, 489 barcodes require ongoing annual fees to maintain, which can be costly for small businesses and startups.
Our 060 – 089 range of barcodes is an excellent alternative, offering the same global recognition and no ongoing annual fees, making them an affordable and viable option for businesses both in Hong Kong and internationally.
For more details, see our 489 Barcodes Page for further clarification.
No, barcodes do not store product or brand information. The only information encoded in the barcode is a unique number, known as the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN). This number serves as a unique identifier for your product, which is used to retrieve product information from a retailer’s internal database at the point of sale. The barcode itself only encodes this number, while the actual product and brand data is stored in the retailer’s database.
No, your barcode will not expire. Only GS1 requires annual payments to maintain barcode numbers. The barcodes we provide were issued by the Uniform Code Council (UCC) before GS1 introduced annual fees, and as GS1 no longer manages these numbers, they are not subject to such fees. Barcodes purchased from Barcode Savers Hong Kong are yours for life with no subscription or renewal fees.
Each product variation, such as size, color, or style, requires a unique barcode. For example, if a sweater comes in three sizes, you’ll need a barcode for each size. If the same sweater is available in five colors, each color variant will need its own barcode.
It’s also a good idea to get extra barcodes to cover future product additions or variations in your range, ensuring you have enough to support your business’s growth.
No, Barcode Savers Hong Kong cannot add your company information to GS1’s GEPIR or Verified by GS1 website. Barcode resellers do not have the ability to update or manage the GS1 database.
Here’s why:
GS1 Barcodes: The barcodes we supply are originally issued by the Uniform Code Council (now GS1 US), but after the first holder, they are no longer managed or updated by GS1.
GEPIR Database: GEPIR (Global Electronic Party Information Registry) only displays information for the first holder of the barcode, not for subsequent users. It does not show product data, descriptions, or link products to store databases.
Verified by GS1: While GS1 is starting to include some product information, it does not integrate with retailer systems. You are still required to submit your product details alongside the barcode number. GEPIR would only be needed if your retailer requires direct GS1 membership, but this is a small number of retailers globally. See our Barcode Acceptance Page for more details.
To make your product data accessible online and help prevent unauthorized use of your barcodes, we recommend using the following databases:
GTIN Lookup
UPC Database
For more information on how to register and manage your barcodes, check out our [User Guide].
No, Barcode Savers does not charge annual fees. Unlike the Global Standards Body (GS1), which requires yearly fees to maintain a barcode prefix, our barcodes come with a one-time payment. If you’re only looking for barcodes for a small number of items, the annual costs associated with GS1 membership can be significant. We have secured large quantities of genuine EAN-13 and UPC-A numbers not subject to GS1 annual fees, allowing us to offer them without recurring fees or hidden costs. You remain the sole owner of your barcodes.
Yes, we offer ITF-14 barcodes as part of our Special Orders service. If you need carton codes to accompany your existing product barcodes, please contact us, and we’ll be happy to assist you.
To get started, simply visit our purchase page, select the barcode package that suits your needs, and begin assigning the barcodes to your products. Before making a purchase, please make sure you have reviewed our Conditions of Sale to ensure everything is clear.