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UPC errors are one of the most common headaches for Amazon sellers. A simple mistake with your barcode can lead to listing rejections, delays in product launches, and ultimately, loss of sales. Whether it’s an incorrect UPC, duplicate listings, or other barcode-related issues, these problems can set you back significantly.
If you’ve spent hours perfecting your product listing only to have it rejected due to a UPC issue, you’re not alone. Even after getting your listing approved, you might discover that your product is competing with others that have the same UPC, which can affect your ranking and visibility. But the good news is that with some basic knowledge, you can avoid most of these errors.
In this article, we’ll break down what UPCs are, why they matter, and how to prevent errors from causing trouble for your Amazon store. We’ll also give you step-by-step instructions for solving common UPC issues.
A Universal Product Code (UPC) is a unique code used to identify a product. It’s a 12-digit barcode that you see on almost every product sold in stores and online. Amazon requires sellers to use UPCs to list products on its marketplace, and these codes must be GS1-compliant.
GS1 is a global organization that manages and issues UPCs to ensure they are unique and properly registered to the manufacturer or brand owner. When you list products on Amazon, having a valid GS1 UPC helps Amazon verify that the product is legitimate and traceable back to its original source.
Without a proper UPC, Amazon may remove your listing, suspend your account, or flag your product for further verification. This can disrupt your sales and cause unnecessary delays.
UPC errors can occur in a variety of ways. Here are some of the most common types:
Invalid UPCs:
This happens when the UPC you’re using does not match the one registered in the GS1 database. Amazon will reject the listing if the UPC is invalid.
Duplicate UPCs:
In some cases, multiple sellers may unknowingly use the same UPC for different products. This often happens when sellers purchase UPCs from unofficial sources like eBay.
Non-compliant UPCs:
If you use a UPC that is not GS1-compliant, Amazon may remove or suppress your listing.
UPC Mismatch:
Sometimes, sellers list products under an incorrect UPC, causing confusion for both Amazon and customers.
These errors can slow down your listing process and, in some cases, lead to financial losses. But the good news is that all of these problems can be avoided.
Amazon has been known to suddenly remove listings without warning when UPCs don’t meet their standards. These removals can happen without any email, notification, or performance alert. Your product could simply disappear from the platform overnight. This is especially common if Amazon finds that the UPCs used are not GS1-compliant.
Once Amazon flags a listing for having an invalid UPC, you cannot simply change the UPC for that product (ASIN). This can leave you with very few options to fix the issue, making the process time-consuming and frustrating.
Many sellers face significant financial losses due to these sudden removals. Not only do they lose current sales, but they also have to deal with the costs of restoring their listings or creating new ones. If you’re relying on certain products for your primary income, a UPC error can be devastating.
To avoid these UPC-related issues, it’s important to be proactive and make sure your barcodes are compliant with Amazon’s standards. Here are some key steps you can take:
Use GS1-Compliant UPCs
Always obtain your UPCs directly from GS1. This ensures that the UPC is unique to your product and properly registered in the GS1 database, which Amazon recognizes. Avoid purchasing UPCs from unofficial sources like eBay, as these are often expired or recycled codes that could lead to listing problems.
Double-check Your UPCs
Before submitting a new product listing, always verify that the UPC matches the one registered for your product. You can do this by checking the UPC on GS1.org, which will confirm whether it’s active and assigned to your brand.
Avoid Using Retired or Expired UPCs
Sometimes, sellers unknowingly use old or retired UPCs. These are codes that have been deactivated by GS1, and using them can cause issues with Amazon’s verification system. Make sure all of your UPCs are current and valid.
If you’ve already run into a UPC error, don’t worry—there are steps you can take to resolve the issue and get your listings back on track.
Start by visiting GS1.org to check the status of your UPC. This will tell you if the code is active, retired, or not properly registered to your brand. If the UPC is retired or expired, you’ll need to take action to fix the problem.
If your current UPCs are invalid or non-compliant, you’ll need to switch to new GS1-compliant codes. Here’s how:
Purchase new UPCs from GS1: Go directly to the GS1 website to buy new UPCs that are valid and recognized by Amazon.
Create new ASINs: You may need to create new ASINs (Amazon Standard Identification Numbers) for your products using the new UPCs. This will ensure that your listings meet Amazon’s requirements.
Merge old and new ASINs: To avoid losing reviews and product history, you can perform a product merge between your old and new ASINs. Amazon’s support team can help with this process, though it often comes with a service fee (typically around $500 per UPC).
If your listing has been removed due to a UPC error, you can request to have it reinstated by Amazon.
Submit a reinstatement request: For a fee (around $1,000), you can request Amazon’s reinstatement service to restore your listings.
Provide documentation: You’ll need to submit a GS1 certificate and other relevant documents to Amazon Seller Support. This helps verify that your UPCs are now compliant.
Switching to new UPCs may require you to update your inventory system. Make sure your new barcodes are printed on labels and packaging, and that all future inventory uses the updated codes. It’s a good idea to temporarily keep the old UPCs in the system to avoid disruptions, but ensure that new stock reflects the updated GS1 barcodes.
If managing UPC errors and compliance issues seems overwhelming, consider consulting a professional service. Our Amazon agency offers a UPC to GS1 Barcode Change Service, which can help you navigate the process, merge ASINs, and ensure that your listings are compliant with Amazon’s rules.
UPC errors can be frustrating, but they don’t have to ruin your business. By using GS1-compliant UPCs, verifying your codes, and following Amazon’s guidelines, you can avoid costly mistakes. If you do encounter problems, taking prompt action to correct them will help you minimize disruptions to your sales. And when in doubt, seeking professional support can make the process smoother. Keep your listings compliant, and you’ll be better positioned to succeed on Amazon.
UPC (Universal Product Code) is a 12-digit barcode used to identify products. Amazon requires UPCs for product listings to ensure the product is unique and traceable to its original source. Sellers must use UPCs that are GS1-compliant, meaning they are registered and validated through the GS1 organization.
If you use a non-compliant, expired, or invalid UPC, Amazon may remove or suppress your listing. Additionally, you will not be able to edit the UPC once it’s flagged as invalid, which can lead to listing rejections, sales delays, and financial losses.
Yes. Amazon has been known to remove listings without prior notice if the UPC is found to be invalid or non-compliant with GS1 standards. You may not receive an email or notification, and your listing could disappear overnight, which can disrupt your sales.
If your UPC is flagged as invalid, you should:
Check the status of the UPC on GS1.org to confirm if it’s valid and properly registered.
If the UPC is retired or invalid, switch to GS1-compliant UPCs by purchasing new ones directly from GS1.
Create new ASINs with the updated UPCs and request product merges to keep reviews and product history.
To verify your UPC:
Visit GS1.org and use their search tool to check if your UPC is active and registered under your brand.
Ensure that the UPC matches the product you are listing on Amazon to avoid errors.
No, Amazon does not allow sellers to change the UPC of an existing product listing (ASIN) once it has been created. If you need to update the UPC, you will need to create a new ASIN using the correct UPC.
To avoid UPC errors, follow these steps:
Always use GS1-compliant UPCs obtained directly from GS1 to ensure they are valid.
Check your UPCs before listing a product to make sure they are properly registered and linked to your brand.
Avoid purchasing UPCs from third-party sources like eBay, as these may be expired or non-compliant.
If Amazon removes your listing due to a UPC problem, you can:
Submit a reinstatement request to Amazon Seller Support. This may require providing a GS1 certificate and other documents.
For a fee (around $1,000), you can also request Amazon’s reinstatement service to help restore your listing.
The cost to reinstate a listing that was removed due to a UPC problem can vary, but sellers often pay around $1,000 for reinstatement services. This fee includes submitting the necessary documentation to prove your UPC is now valid.
Yes, after switching to GS1-compliant UPCs, you can request a product merge to combine your old and new ASINs. This will help you keep the reviews, sales history, and product details of the original listing. Amazon charges a service fee for this process, typically around $500 per UPC.
When switching to new UPCs:
Update your barcodes for future inventory and print new labels with the GS1-compliant codes.
Temporarily allow old UPCs to coexist with new ones during the transition, but ensure that all future stock uses the updated UPCs.
Managing UPC transitions can be complex. If you need assistance, our Amazon agency offers a UPC to GS1 Barcode Change Service to help you smoothly navigate the process, ensure compliance, and avoid listing problems. You can also consult professional services for managing UPC errors and reinstating listings.
