The Barcode Shop
Recently we have had questions from customers regarding The Barcode Shop. This barcode sales site has cropped up in various countries claiming to sell barcode numbers with individual country prefixes for a one-off cost. They do not have the permission of GS1 in any of these countries and are not legally selling these barcode numbers.
It is currently unclear as to what will happen to this company in the future. However, they are currently being investigated by The Advertising Standards Authority and are unlikely to remain open for very long.
Suppose you require barcode numbers with your genuine company prefix, the only way to acquire these through GS1 in your country. No barcode reseller can supply these legally. Fortunately, very few retailers actually require this, and alternative barcode numbers with a US Country code (07) can be purchased through other reputable barcode resellers or us. These can be purchased here.
Please see our Why Buy From Us page and our Barcode Acceptance page for more information. We have thousands of customers using tens of thousands of our barcodes in close to 100 countries without issues and have been in business for over 9 years. Hence we are ideally placed to advise you on your barcode requirements.
When buying barcodes, choose a company with a clear history, transparent ownership, and proven barcode acceptance. A credible supplier should explain exactly where the barcode numbers come from and whether they are suitable for retail use. Avoid any company that promises “official” country prefixes unless it is GS1 itself.
Do your homework before buying
Often a quick phone call will tell you about the reliability of the company. A trustworthy barcode company will answer your questions before you buy. They should help you understand whether you need EAN-13, UPC-A, ISBN, ISSN, ITF-14, or other barcode formats. They should also provide barcode images in usable formats, along with clear instructions for printing and retailer submission.
Price matters, but reliability matters more. Cheap barcode numbers can become expensive if a retailer rejects them or if the seller disappears. Always look for a supplier with long-term customer support, a real website, contact details, and a track record of helping businesses get products into stores.
Barcodes.co.nz has supplied barcode numbers to thousands of businesses in New Zealand and overseas. We give practical advice, supply high-quality barcode images, and support customers after purchase. You can buy with confidence, knowing that we understand barcode requirements and retail expectations.