GTIN-14 barcode for cartons and wholesale units
For the codification of outer case packaging and wholesale units we use the GTIN-14 barcode, which is global and its validity can be confirmed through the service Verified by GS1.
GTIN-14 structure depends on whether the wholesale unit is homogeneous (where all units contained in the group are identical) or not.
GTIN-14 for homogeneous wholesale units
| Indicator 1-8 |
GS1 Company Prefix + Item reference |
Check Digit |
Indicator
The digits 1to 8 at the beginning of homogeneous GTIN-14 units simply generate different numbers with different check digits that will identify the different levels of packaging for the same item (e.g. indicator 1 for 12 items, indicator 2 for 8 items and so on) . The indicators 1 to 8 may be used in any order, and some may not be used at all.
GS1 Company Prefix + Item reference
These are 12 digits deriving from the code of the contained unit, without the check digit.
Check Digit
The check digit is the last digit (rightmost) of the GTIN. It is calculated from all other digits in the number, in order to ensure that the barcode the number is correctly composed.
Example
The GTIN-13 for the item is 5201234000001, so the 12 digits without the check digit are 520123400000.
For the carton of 12 items we can use the indicator 1 and recalculate the check digit, in which case the code will be 1 520123400000 8.
For the carton of 24 items we can use the indicator 3 and recalculate the check digit, in which case the code will be 3 520123400000 2.
GTIN-14 codification for mixed wholesale units
A new GTIN-13 is allocated to the traded mixed unit, this number is not to be used on any other item/ product and is tied exclusively to the specific carton.
Then you would need to prefix the GTIN-13 with a zero.
Example
The GTINs of the products inside the carton are 5201234000001, 5201234000018 and 5201234000025.
For the carton of 8 items we allocate a new GTIN-13 5201234000032, so the barcode for this carton will be 05201234000032.
For the carton of 12 items we allocate the new GTIN-13 5201234000049, so the barcode for this carton will be 05201234000049.
Mark up
GTIN-14 numbers are depicted with ITF-14 or GS1-128.
