Understanding Amazon’s UPC Policy

It was last year, 2016, when Amazon made the decision to batten down the hatches with its UPC [Universal Product Code] and GTIN [Global Trade Item Number] policies. With millions of duplicate UPC listings on Amazon, the company will now revoke — temporarily or even permanently — your account if invalid UPC listings are discovered. Why? The buyers experience becomes marred with an influx of duplicate listings; it’s confusing and waters down product reviews.


Here is what the seller now needs to know: GS1 is the only place to purchase legitimate UPCs. Since Amazon’s policy is less than two years old, if you have purchased UPC codes from a third party seller, consult the GS1 database to ensure the information is accurate. Chances are, the codes will identify another company as the brand owner. If this is the case, shut down the listing altogether and replace it with a correct GS1 UPC. Although customer reviews will disappear into the void, your account will not be at risk of suspension or worse.


Although sellers have been tempted mightily — counseled even by so-called “experts” — into purchasing less expensive UPCs from resellers, cease and desist. The original owner will be identified in the UPC company prefix, not you. It’s also a question whether or not the code has been used already. And while reselling barcodes is not an illegal act, it is a definite no-no according to Amazon’s policy.


Some exceptions:
  • If your brand name is different than your company name and doesn’t match the GS1 code, you are in compliance. Similarly, if your DBA [Doing Business As] doesn't match your company name in GS1, the matter will be resolved as soon as the DBA paperwork and GS1 certificate is produced.
  • For products listed that are not your own brand, use the barcode supplied by the manufacturer.
  • In cases where resold products don’t have a barcode, contact your supplier.
  • For products without GTINs, apply for an exemption from Amazon’s UPC requirement.
  • If a seller wishes to list private label products without a UPC, apply for an exemption through Amazon’s Brand Registry.


Bundle listings are a bit more complicated. The seller can opt to create bundles of their own private label products and use a GS1 UPC. This is the safest option. If you’re an authorized reseller, package together your bundles and ask the manufacturer for a UPC. If you do wish to bundle different brands together, some sellers are listing them under their own private label, and obtaining their own GS1-issued UPC. While sellers are taking advantage of this loophole, it isn’t as foolproof as these other two options.


Protect your listings and check the GS1 database immediately if you suspect your UPC is invalid. It’ll be easier in the long run.







 

Comments

Post a Comment

It is all about the friendly and kind conversation here. I would love to hear from you.
Be sure to check back again because I do make every effort to reply to all comments.

Audrey

Popular posts from this blog

Alternative Ways To Fight Acne

Alternative Ways to Fight Acne By Mari Bozozo As someone who has suffered from acne for the better part of her years, I can tell you, without exaggeration, that I have tried countless products, methods, and treatments that yielded very little if any results in the long run. My acne prevailed, right along with the mounting stress, depression, and anxiety, to boot. From trying the latest and so-called greatest products marketed specifically toward acneic skin, to the expensive prescriptions and treatments. I tried it ALL. However, in the end, none of these “phenomenons” went the distance nor afforded the longevity that I desperately sought. Yet and still, I tirelessly continued in my pursuit. Recently, within the last year, I broke ground. I most certainly have to credit my knowledgeable and resourceful esthetician with steering me in the right direction, by introducing me to a new and innovative way to cleanse my face. Upon first telling me about it, I must admit that I thought she wa...
Read more

What is Microdermabrasion Treatment

Image
What Is Microdermabrasion Treatment Your skin is exposed to the environmental elements every day. Over the years, the sun’s rays, pollution, and other damaging agents can take a toll on your skin. Microdermabrasion treatment can help reduce or eliminate the wrinkles and fine lines, “crow’s feet,” age spots, light acne scars, and undesired pigmentation that may appear on the skin over time. In general, good candidates are adults who are in good physical health, with realistic expectations for the outcome of their Skin Treatment. People who do not have enough available time to undergo more invasive skin resurfacing treatments such as dermabrasion, laser skin resurfacing, or heavy chemical peels may also be good candidates for microdermabrasion. Microdermabrasion is a non-chemical, non-invasive procedure that uses a spray of microcrystals to remove the outermost layer of dry, dead skin cells and reveal fresh, younger, and healthier-looking skin. Microdermabrasion also encourages th...
Read more

A Perspective on All This

I don't know this man but I ran into this heart felt article and I really had to share it. We can all relate to it. One way or another. Hope you feel it as much as I did:) "A Perspective on All This Sometimes God gets to call a time out, and while high school coaches get either 30 or 60 seconds, the Man gets as long as He needs, as long as it takes. Why this? Why now? To me, something had to do it and if not now, when? And if not this, then what? We’ve been crippled before – we survived Ebola and Y2K – and we’ll never forget the days of September 11th. Still, I recall September 12th, when perfect strangers hugged on the streets, when there were two-minute standing ovations to the National Anthem when the games began again. Now, as I’ve written, some don’t even bother to stand anymore. For some reason, we were chosen – we were the winning sperm cells – we get to play. We’ve enjoyed piano recitals and 4th of July celebrations, competing win, lose, or draw. We’ve got t...
Read more
Managing Sensitive And Acneic Skin By Mari Bozozo Although having both sensitive and acneic skin is not necessarily a mutually exclusive occurrence, it is more common than not for a person to have both. Yes, some of you may have acneic skin, but are not necessarily sensitive. In your case, that is terrific! But for those of us who have bouts with both, it can be a particularly slippery slope in dealing with it. I have had very sensitive skin for as long as I can remember. The horrors that I have suffered were thankfully not repetitive once I pinpointed the culprits. From those episodes, I learned to take better care of my skin by the process of elimination going forward. One of the main perpetrators for me was the chemical preservative Oxybenzone, a common ingredient found in commercial sunscreens. Without having prior knowledge of my allergy to this ingredient, I recall slathering it on practically all of my body in preparation for a fun day at an amusement park many moon...
Read more

Keeping Acne At Bay During The Summer

Keeping Acne At Bay During the Summer By Mari Bozozo The Dog Days of Summer are undoubtedly here. Along with the long lazy days, beachcombing, sunbathing, and buying our fair share in stocks of bug repellent sprays and antihistamines, we must also tango with the soaring temperatures. And if you’re not blessed enough to reside in areas such as the west coast or the southwest, the heat becomes especially unbearable when coupled with oppressive humidity. Of course, the challenges become amplified for the acne sufferer. Sigh. Is Autumn here yet?! As you may tell, Summer is not my favorite season, and for the reasons mentioned above. However, as someone with a propensity toward challenged skin, I am determined to navigate my way through it, regardless of the darts that the sun rays and the relentless dew points throw at me. One way that I do this is by trying my hardest to keep my sweat to a minimum, particularly when exercising. This is why I avoid any vigorous activity that involves be...
Read more
Acne Prescription Medicine- Is It Really Worth It? By Mari Bozozo As chronic acne sufferers, we’ve all been there at some point or another. After trying everything under the sun to absolve ourselves of a seemingly lifetime sentence with this issue, in a fit of despair, we go to a dermatologist with our proverbial fingers crossed in the hopes that we will find a permanent solution, putting an end to our miseries. It would not be an exaggeration to say that I have tried every medication imaginable and under the sun. From antibiotics such as Tetracycline, Minocycline, and Dioxycycline, to the Vitamin A derivative Isotretinoin, I’ve exhausted every possibility, and in vain, might I add. From experiencing antibiotic resistance, allergic reactions, ineffectiveness, to downright playing Russian Roulette with my health on account of the hazards involved, I had to wonder if any of it was truly worth it. Take the Isotretinoin that I used, for example. I felt that for every day that I took it,...
Read more

What About Men With Acne?

What About Men With Acne? By Mari Bozozo As a woman, I know all too well that the lot of us are subjected to acne for a plethora of reasons, with hormonal imbalances heading at the top of the list. This would not only explain our cyclical skin eruptions but why we appear to be the sex that appears to struggle with it at a higher rate, thus making us far more vocal about this issue. But what about men with acne? While I believe that they are just as susceptible to it as women, it appears that they adopt a stance of silence and inaction toward it. Thus, resulting in more challenges dealing with it. Certainly, I am not undermining a woman’s insufferable experiences with acne. If that were the case, I’d be undermining my very own. However, if I’m to do a “comparative analysis” in regards to which sex is at a more disadvantage in having acne, I’d be compelled to admit that it very well may be men. Ponder over this for a moment: As women, what is the #1 go-to weapon in our arsenal to eithe...
Read more