GS1 Barcode FAQ

A GS1 barcode is essentially a number represented by an image of varied widths of black bars on a white surface. The barcode is scanned by a scanner at the point of sale, each time the product is purchased at the store. The scanner then pulls up the information that is assigned to that particular barcode number – such as the company name, product information and price. Each sale is recorded, which assists with keeping accurate inventory data – making it easier for Trading Partners to notify you when they need more products to be sold.

No. The GS1 barcodes licenced are considered blank and we do not encode the product information into the code. Your designers, upon taking your barcodes and products to them, will encode your barcode number & symbol and product information is retrieved from the GS1 GDSN network by your trading partners.
Finally GS1 Activate allows you to generate symbols.

Use the Barcode Estimator

No, you do not need to provide us with a tax identification number if you don’t have a business registration number, send us a copy of your ID.

Licensing GS1 Barcodes from GS1 South Africa is simple and quick – Here is a link to the Online Barcode Portal.

GS1 barcodes are accepted by all stores around the world.

Yes, unlike other businesses who claim to create legal barcodes, our GS1 barcodes are the only codes authorised throughout Africa and the rest of the world. Choosing GS1 barcodes means you never have to worry about validity because it’s all globally verified by GS1.

GS1 has a list of Accredited Alliance Partners in the printing industry. These are printers accredited by GS1 South Africa on the standards for good quality barcodes. This gives you, our members peace of mind.

GS1 South Africa’s Alliance Partners Program, assists not only with printing barcodes onto your products, but also with providing services such as verifying barcodes and item measurement.

Yes, it is possible to print your barcode images in colors other than black and white, the image below shows other suitable colour combinations. See our colour guide here.

Yes, you can. Not only are the registered barcodes you buy from us accepted at all retail stores in South Africa, but they are also accepted at the majority of retail stores across the world too.

GS1 South Africa are standing by, ready to take your calls and answer any barcode questions you may have. Please call us between 8am and 5pm on 011 777 3300 for all your barcode-related questions, or send us an email to: services@gs1za.org

GTIN stands for Global Trade Item Number and is more commonly known as the barcode number. GS1 South Africa is licenced to create GTINs for Africa, in fact we are the only registered provider in the SADC countries.

All the barcodes used by the GS1 System have a standardized data content component, which means that they can be used by any company that has adopted the GS1 System.

GS1 barcodes also have special features to ensure they are not confused with any other barcodes.

The barcodes used by GS1 include GTIN 13, GTIN 12, GTIN 8, GS1 DataBar family of symbols, GS1-128, GTIN 14, GS1 DataMatrix, GS1 QR Code, and Composite Component.

If you intend to or are already trading with any of the major retailers or hospital groups within South Africa, GS1 South Africa offers a product data listing portal.

This portal is known as Trusted Source and will assist members with listing their product information in one central point for all of their trading partners.