GTIN (Global Trade Item Number)

What is GTIN / GTIN Exemption / GTIN Exemption instructions

What is a GTIN?

Each product that you list to a marketplace should have a unique product identifier, such as a Global Trade Item Number (GTIN). If you sell products that don't have GTINs, such as private label goods, then you need to apply for an exemption from the marketplace. 

GS1 defines trade items as "products or services that are priced, ordered, or invoiced at any point in the supply chain". Such identifiers usually come in the form of:

• 12-digit Universal Product Code (UPC)
• 13-digit European Article Number (EAN)
• 13-digit International Standard Book Number (ISBN).

Your product GTIN is represented by the product’s barcode and associated barcode number.

Identify your product GTIN by checking the barcode, requesting the GTIN from your supplier, or use a barcode lookup website to search for the product. 

Ensure you are eligible before requesting:

• GTIN exemption from Amazon - The only exemptions from supplying a product identifier (UPC/EAN/ISBN) for listing new products on Amazon are obtaining Brand Registry or GTIN exemption from Amazon.
• Walmart GTIN exemption request: Seller Help > Items and Inventory > Request exemption > UPC exemptions. Alternatively, you can start a chat with Walmart Partner Support and request a UPC exemption

After successfully applying for a GTIN exemption, you must share a copy of the approval with marketplace-connect@shopify.com  to enable the necessary changes to your Shopify Marketplace Connect account. We recommend waiting 24hrs before attempting to list your products.

Why is it necessary to provide evidence of exemption? 

We communicate with Amazon and Walmart on your behalf via API.  Amazon and Walmart do not provide confirmation of Brand registry or granted GTIN exemption on your account.

We are protecting merchants from account suspension from listing products without approval.

GTIN Exemption Instructions (once enabled on account)

In Single Edit mode select a product that you want to list

Listing details > Brand > Enter Brand > Manufacturing Part Number - Map this against SKU > Save

Select Offer Details > Active > Save

What if products don’t have a SKU Code?

When setting up the Variation Theme (listing multivariant products), consolidating separated variants is a challenging concern as there is no 100% guarantee that Amazon will approve the combining of variants once they have been listed separately. It may need 15 minutes or re-listing (resending feed) after 24 hours for an item to be consolidated.  If this step is missed it will list the variants separately

Additional Step for Multivariant Items Only:

If listing a multivariant, Amazon requires Variation Themes to be set. This allows items to be consolidated. Things to note when setting up variation theme:

1. Set the Variation Theme before activating the item as it can be challenging to request an item to be consolidated once the listing pages were created.
2. Errors may occur or Amazon may deny listing if the Variation Theme is not congruent.
3. Each Product Type has its own set of Variation Theme. If unable to view the suited variation theme, switch to a different Product Type to provide a different set of options.

For further assistance, please reach out to marketplace-connect@shopify.com