While shopping or selling an item on Amazon, you must have come across some codes with unique blocks of numbers and letters. These Amazon codes serve their purpose and are also referred to as Product IDs.  

Each product ID is unique and helps identify one individual product from another. There are different product IDs for Amazon and the most commonly used one is Amazon UPC (Universal Product Code). 

Let’s discuss more on each of the different Amazon codes and how to use them for your products on Amazon.  

ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number) 

Amazon Standard Identification Number (ASIN) is a ten-digit alphanumeric unique code to identify one product from another.  

When you upload an item to Amazon’s catalog, a new ASIN is created for the product. Except for books, almost every product on Amazon has an ASIN.  

The ASIN can be used to track and locate product inventory, recognize an item or find information about the product. 

You can find the ASIN of a product easily on Amazon by checking the URL or the product description of the item.  

ASIN barcodes can also be used to find a product you are looking for by simply entering the number in the search box. If the item is listed in Amazon’s catalog, you will find it in the search results.  

ISBN (International Standard Book Number) 

International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a unique 13-digit number specially assigned to books. You can find them printed on the back cover of the books. 

It helps identify books used by publishers and booksellers to keep track of orders and sales, and manage inventory. 

The ISBN can also be used to find any book made available publicly as well as look up information regarding the book. 

EAN (European Article Number) 

European Article Number (EAN) is a 13-digit unique identification code and is similar to UPC.  

It is mostly used in Europe and everywhere else globally except US and Canada.  

UPC (Universal Product Code) 

Universal Product Code (UPC) is a 12-digit unique number used to identify products within the US and Canada. It is also the most widely used and accepted identification code on the Amazon marketplace. 

The UPC is used to make barcodes and helps manufacturers and retailers know the number of units sold worldwide.  

When you have to upload a new item but don’t have UPC, you can register the item with GSI, the only provider of UPCs.  

To create a UPC for an item, you will need a GTIN – Global Trade Item Number which is an internationally recognized system to identify products.  

Without a UPC, it is next to impossible to sell the product on the Amazon marketplace. 

Conclusion  

Knowing and keeping track of all these Amazon codes can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to worry as there are tools out there to help you. Over time, you will understand more about them, and using them in your Amazon selling business will become second nature.  

As mentioned in the beginning, each Amazon code serves its own purpose but above all, they are used to identify a product. If your product doesn’t have any identification code, Amazon will not allow you to sell in its marketplace.    

Hope you get an understanding of each of these Amazon codes and be able to use them for your product identification.  

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