Barcode types
- UPC — 12 digits, North America retail
- EAN-13 — 13 digits, EU + global retail
- ISBN — 13 digits, books
- GTIN — umbrella term (UPC + EAN + ISBN all fit)
Where to enter
Variant edit → Inventory → Barcode field. Enter GTIN. Bulk-editable via bulk editor or CSV Barcode column.
Google Shopping requirement
Google requires GTIN on branded products. Missing GTIN = feed rejection or reduced impressions. Print It My Way + Shopify auto-sync barcode to Merchant feed.
Get barcodes
Buy from GS1 (official issuer) for retail. For internal use only (POS-only), any unique format works.
Frequently asked questions
How to add barcode to Shopify variant?
Variant edit → Inventory → Barcode field → enter UPC/EAN/GTIN.
What barcode format for Shopify?
UPC (12 digits US), EAN-13 (13 digits EU/global), ISBN (books). Shopify accepts any string.
Does Google Shopping require barcodes?
For branded products, yes. Missing GTIN = feed rejection. For your own brand, GS1 barcodes required for retail.
Where to buy barcodes?
GS1 (official issuer) for retail-facing UPC/EAN. Third-party resellers sell single codes cheaper but not GS1-registered.
Can two variants share a barcode?
Retail rules: no — each SKU needs unique GTIN. Shopify allows duplicates internally.
How to bulk add barcodes?
CSV Barcode column or bulk editor.
Do POS scanners work with any barcode?
Yes if barcode encoding is standard (UPC-A, EAN-13, Code 128). Enter Shopify's barcode value; POS looks up variant.
Custom barcode format for internal use?
Any string works. E.g. 'SKU-12345'. POS scans + Shopify looks up variant.
Related reading
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