In 2024, over 5 billion products are scanned every day using EAN codes across the globe. These seemingly simple black-and-white stripes are a backbone of modern trade, logistics, and automation. Without them, retail and warehouse operations would be almost impossible.
What Is an EAN Code and Why Is It Important?
EAN (European Article Number) is a standard international product identifier printed as a barcode on product packaging. It enables instant product recognition, provides information about its origin, and tracks its journey from manufacturer to customer.
EAN codes are used in over 100 countries and are a critical part of global supply chains.
EAN, UPC, and Barcodes — What’s the Difference?
Although EAN, UPC, and “barcode” are often used interchangeably, they are different:
- Barcode — a general term for all machine-readable codes consisting of bars and spaces.
- UPC (Universal Product Code) — a 12-digit barcode format used mainly in the U.S. and Canada.
- EAN — a European standard compatible with UPC, but more common outside North America. The most used format is EAN-13 (13 digits).
In short: EAN and UPC are both barcode formats, but EAN dominates outside North America.
Read more:
- What Is a UPC Code and How to Use It in eCommerce
- SKU | What is SKU: Meaning, Examples, How to Use in Business
Comparison of Common Barcode Standards
| Feature | EAN-13 | UPC-A | GS1-128 (EAN-128) |
| Digits | 13 | 12 | Variable (data + AI prefixes) |
| Main Use Regions | Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa | United States, Canada | Global (logistics, healthcare, warehousing) |
| Compatibility | Fully compatible with UPC-A | Compatible with EAN (leading zero added) | Not for POS scanning; logistics only |
| Primary Purpose | Retail product identification | Retail product identification | Supply chain data (batch, expiry, serial number) |
| Example Prefixes | 400–440 (Germany), 690–699 (China), 890 (India) | N/A (UPC managed by GS1 US) | Uses AI codes like (01) for GTIN, (17) for expiration date |
| Marketplaces Accepting | Amazon, eBay, Lazada, Shopee, Carrefour, Tesco | Amazon US/CA, Walmart, Target | Backend logistics, not customer-facing |
Types of EAN Codes
- EAN-13 — 13 digits; standard format for most products.
- EAN-8 — 8 digits; for small items with limited space.
- GS1-128 (EAN-128) — includes extra data for logistics (batch, expiry, weight, etc.).
Structure of EAN Codes
EAN-13
- 3 digits — GS1-assigned country/regional prefix (does not indicate manufacturing location).
- 4–5 digits — manufacturer code.
- 5–4 digits — product code (unique to manufacturer).
- 1 digit — check digit.
Example prefixes:
- 400–440 — Germany
- 690–699 — China
- 890 — India
- 500–509 — United Kingdom
EAN-8
- 2–3 digits — country or company prefix.
- 4–5 digits — product code.
- 1 digit — check digit.
GS1-128 (EAN-128)
- Can include multiple variables (serial number, expiry date, etc.)
- Uses Application Identifiers (AIs) such as (01) for GTIN, (17) for expiration date.
How to Calculate the EAN-13 Check Digit
- Add digits in odd positions (1st, 3rd, 5th, etc.).
- Add digits in even positions, multiply by 3.
- Add both sums.
- Round up to the nearest multiple of 10.
- Subtract your total from that number — this is the check digit.
How to Get an Official EAN Code
The only way to get globally recognized EAN codes is through GS1, the nonprofit that manages barcode standards.
- Register with your local GS1 member organization:
- Obtain a company prefix.
- Create unique product codes using your prefix.
If you sell on Amazon, eBay, Walmart, Lazada, Shopee, or major retailers, you’ll need official GS1 codes.
Generating Barcodes for Internal Use or Testing
You can create EANs yourself for non-retail purposes:
- Choose a 12-digit number.
- Calculate the check digit.
- Use an online generator:
Finding Product Information by Barcode
Suppose you have a physical store and an online marketplace (online store). You want a customer who visits your offline location to be able to scan a product’s barcode and go to its page on the digital platform. In this case, inform the customer in advance about the opportunity to learn more about the product, for example, through services such as:
- Google Lens — scans and identifies products.
- Barcode Scanner (Android), QRbot (iOS) — reads product details.
- Barcode Lookup — global barcode database.
Using EAN Codes in eCommerce
In Your Online Store
EAN helps with:
- Unique product identification.
- Auto-filling product attributes from databases.
- Synchronizing stock with ERP/WMS.
- Reducing returns and shipping mistakes.
In Marketplaces
Global marketplaces like Amazon, Walmart and some categories on eBay, Lazada, and Shopee typically require valid GS1 barcodes for branded products. Benefits:
- Avoids duplicate listings.
- Speeds up listing approval.
- Enables automatic attribute import.
- Reduces return/fulfillment errors.
- Speeds up warehouse operations.
- Ensures marketplace compliance.
- Improves SEO with consistent product data.
Using EAN Codes in CS-Cart
CS-Cart supports EAN codes both natively and via add-ons, enabling global product identification in your store.
Adding EAN to Products
To add an EAN field to products in CS-Cart, there are common approaches:
- Use Product Features. You can add an EAN as a product feature. This is a standard method but may have limitations such as no support for product combinations and requiring entry for each language individually.
- Use Marketplace Add-ons. There are add-ons like “Product Import Match EAN,” which use EAN as a key for matching products during import to avoid duplicates. The “Product Search By Barcode” add-on also allows managing products with EAN codes and supports barcode scanning.
- Customize the Product Data Structure. You can add a separate EAN field by modifying the CS-Cart database and templates. This involves adding a “product_ean” field to the cscart_products table and editing backend product. If you are in doubt whether to customize by yourself or not, contact an official CS-Cart developer.
Learn more from: Expanding CS-Cart | When to Opt for CS-Cart Customization
Best Practices
- One unique EAN per product variant.
- Validate before import.
- Include on shipping labels and picking lists.
- Use barcode scanners with CS-Cart POS/admin.
Conclusion
Implementing a reliable barcode system with EAN codes is essential for any eCommerce business aiming to reduce errors, improve warehouse operations, and ensure marketplace compliance. CS-Cart provides a robust platform to manage EAN codes efficiently, whether for your own store or when selling on major marketplaces. For businesses looking to fully customize their CS-Cart platform and optimize EAN integration, Simtech Development offers expert solutions to tailor the system to your unique inventory, logistics, and marketplace needs.