Other Barcodes

We supply an extensive range of the most common barcode formats require in retail and management systems. Let us know if you need any other barcodes not listed on our website. We’re happy to make them for you.

Retail products in New Zealand use EAN-13 and UPC-A barcodes. EAN-13 works in most countries worldwide and contains 13 digits. UPC-A has 12 digits and suits New Zealand exporters shipping to North America. Retailers scan these codes at checkout, track inventory and manage logistics. Neither barcode encodes product details — they only reference a unique number in retailer databases. Books and magazines require ISBN or ISSN, converted into EAN-13 format.

EAN-13 Retail Barcodes 

EAN-13 barcodes appear on most retail products worldwide, except for published books and magazines. They serve as the most common barcode type internationally, except in the USA and Canada, where UPC barcodes dominate. If you mainly sell your products in the USA or Canada, consider using UPC barcodes to meet retailer requirements there. Otherwise, EAN-13 barcodes work best for New Zealand and global markets.

UPC Retail Barcodes 

UPC barcodes appear on most retail products sold in the USA and Canada. However, EAN-13 barcodes are more commonly used in New Zealand, Australia, Europe, and other international markets. If you plan to sell your products in New Zealand or overseas (outside North America), we recommend using EAN-13 barcodes. Retailers across New Zealand and most global markets scan EAN-13 barcodes at checkout. These barcodes suit nearly all retail products, except for books, magazines, and newspapers, which require ISBN or ISSN codes.

ITF-14 Carton Codes

Cartons and pallets carry ITF-14 codes — 14-digit barcodes derived from the underlying EAN-13 or UPC-A GTIN number. Manufacturers apply ITF-14 to shipping cases only; if the case reaches consumers, it still needs its own retail barcode. ITF-14 codes include bearer bars and require specific sizing standards for reliable scanning in warehouses.

2D Digital Link Codes

Many Kiwi businesses now add QR codes for marketing, digital links and interactive content. 2D barcodes. These let companies include batch numbers, expiry dates or serial numbers. The international aspiration is that stores will be able to scan 2D barcodes from 2027 onwards. Retailers will keep using their existing systems while gaining access to richer data. Customers will be able to find out more information about a product and the manufacturer through the digital links accessed via the 2D code. For more information on 2D Codes please see our sister website, IBN LINK.

Code 128 & Code 39 (Assets)

Some industries rely on alphanumeric codes like Code 128 or Code 39 for asset tracking, shipping and inventory. Code 128 encodes more data in less space and meets ISO 15417 standards.

Although barcode prefixes (000–139 for North America, 940–949 for NZ) indicate where the barcode number was issued, they do not tell the product’s origin. GS1 New Zealand issues authentic NZ prefixes and offers guidance to ensure your codes scan correctly across supply chains and retailers.

This range—from EAN-13 and UPC-A for retail to ITF-14 for shipping and GS1 2D for data-rich applications—covers all common New Zealand business needs.

GLN Numbers

A GLN (Global Location Number) is a unique 13-digit code that identifies a business, a branch, or a specific location such as a factory. Companies also use GLNs to pinpoint departments like purchasing or accounting. Often called an “Operational Point,” GLNs play a key role in purchase orders, delivery notes, and payment documents. Using GLNs helps businesses improve accuracy and efficiency in supply chain and administrative processes across New Zealand and worldwide.