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