Are there any sellers who don’t understand what is Amazon UPC code? What are the consequences of using UPC codes obtained through informal channels? Today, the editor will talk about this topic. Friends who are interested, come and take a look!
What is a UPC code?
UPC (Universal Product Code) is a commodity barcode developed by the United States Uniform Code Council, mainly used in the United States and Canada. The UPC code is the earliest barcode to be used on a large scale. Due to its wide range of applications, it is also called the universal barcode and is widely used in international trade. UPC barcodes also have standard and shortened versions. The standard version consists of 12 digits, and the shortened version consists of 8 digits.
Sellers on Amazon North America do need UPC codes when uploading products.
How to get a UPC code?
In principle, the UPC code is applied for by the manufacturer to the local coding center to obtain a unique code. China's coding management agency is the "China Article Numbering Center (www.ancc.org.cn)".
In addition, you can also purchase it through the BarCodesTalk website officially recommended by Amazon. The Chinese version can be purchased at: https://hans.barcodestalk.cn.com/bar-code-numbers. The prices are shown in the picture below. The more you buy, the cheaper it will be.
At this point, you may start to have doubts. Just as the friend mentioned at the beginning, why are there so many people selling UPC codes on Taobao? And they are super cheap! Are these usable? In fact, it's not just Taobao. If you take a look at the posts on major forums or search on major search engines, you will find that in addition to Taobao, you can also see various automatic generators of UPC codes. So what about these two? Can they be used? Are the risks high?
First, let’s talk about Taobao. Although every store claims to be able to provide certificates, whether the UPC code is from a formal channel depends on the conscience of the seller and your luck. Who can ensure that these codes are not generated by an automatic generator? Or obtained from other informal channels?
Let’s talk about the UPC codes generated by the automatic generator. UPC codes are generated for free, in large quantities, and quickly, but the risks are self-evident. First, there is no certificate. Second, it is too easy to be duplicated with UPC codes obtained from formal channels, or they have simply been used by others.
What are the consequences of using UPC codes obtained through informal channels?
Whether you purchase it from Taobao or piece it together using an automatic generator, the result is a very high risk of misusing someone else's UPC code. If there is a complaint, the product listing will inevitably be removed, and the account may even be blocked.
Speaking of this, let me also mention the BarCodesTalk mentioned earlier. Its essence is an intermediary. The difference is that it will give a digital certificate when you purchase, and this digital certificate is recognized by the UPC Coding Management Center. It is also a proof that Amazon needs you to provide when you complain about someone else using your UPC code.
Is a UPC code required to register an Amazon account?
According to Amazon's regulations, not all products need to submit UPC codes. Only the North American site needs to submit the UPC code, while the European site needs to provide the EAN code. However, even on the US site, not all products require UPC codes. The categories that require UPC codes to add products are as follows:
Camera and Photo, Electronics, Grocery, Home and Garden, Office Products, Pet Supplies, Software, Video Games.
The products and categories that do not need to submit UPC codes mainly include: private goods, not produced by state-registered companies and factories; small product parts and accessories with special functional uses; B2B retail goods in distribution stores; and customer-customized goods. If you sell this type of product, you can apply to Amazon to exempt the upload product from using the UPC code.
Although some special products are exempt from UPC codes, basically all products need UPC codes before they can be listed. As to whether a specific product needs to provide a UPC code, please refer to the current regulations on the Amazon website.
The above is an analysis of what is the Amazon UPC code and the consequences of using the UPC code obtained through informal channels. If you want to know more about the Amazon UPC code, please continue to follow us!
