Amazon Barcode Requirements - UPC Warehouse Barcodes

Amazon Barcode Requirements

This page contains common issues customers may face while trying to list on Amazon.

For information and solutions to specific amazon errors, see below:

Amazon requests that people use barcodes from the GS1 rather than 3rd party sources. This is a recommendation, and they have not yet made this a requirement to the best of our knowledge. Barcodes from GS1 can be costly, often requiring annual and membership fees. Barcodes from UPC Warehouse may be a better solution for your product. However, listing products on Amazon using non-GS1 barcodes can be tricky so we recommend purchasing a small quantity of barcodes from us first (1-10) to test on Amazon before committing to purchase a large number of barcodes as we cannot offer a refund.

Our barcodes may be suitable for you to use on Amazon unless you:

  • Are you using Amazon’s EDI system (if you don’t know what this is, you likely aren’t using it)
  • Sell your product using the Amazon Brand Registry.
  • Bundle name-brand items that have one or more National Brands
  • Need your company name to appear in the GS1 database. (Purchasing from UPC Warehouse will not grant access to GS1 Membership)

Product Labeling (putting a barcode image on your product packaging)
Because a variety of issues can occur during listing on amazon, we highly recommend that you list your product on Amazon before adding your barcode to your product. This can ultimately save you both time and money if you face any issues trying to list on Amazon. Save you time and expense should there be any issues with your Amazon listing.

Amazon Errors and solutions

When using barcodes from a 3rd party (not from GS1) as a seller on Amazon, you may find yourself running into a few error codes that stem from Amazon’s barcode policies focused on persuading the seller to purchase exclusively from GS1.

Below is a list of errors explaining why you’re seeing these errors and how you can address them.

Amazon Error Code: 5665

This error code appears to be random, but it is likely the result of an algorithm we don’t currently know of. The most successful solution to-date, by other Amazon sellers, is to input “N/A”, “N/” or “TBA” as the Brand Name. Sellers have also reported that they can change the Brand Name after the product is listed.

PLEASE NOTE: You must change both the Brand and Manufacturer Fields quickly. Otherwise, errors will continue popping up. To solve this specific issue, you must continuously close the error codes and enter the information until the errors cease.

Amazon Error Code: 5461-1

This error code appears when Amazon checks for your UPC Code/Product Brand or Manufacturer information in the GS1 GEPIR database. If you are attempting to list a product using a Brand Name that is already listed in Amazon’s Brand Registry Program (ABRP), this error message will pop up. The simplest solution to this is for you to modify the brand name you are using. I.E. Use alternate spelling, “N/A”, “TBA”, or something similar.

PLEASE NOTE: You must change both the Brand and Manufacturer Fields quickly. Otherwise, errors will continue popping up. To solve this specific issue, you must continuously close the error codes and enter the information until the errors cease.

Amazon Error Code: 5461-2

This error code may appear when attempting to sell a product with a “big brand name” that is NOT actually listed in the ABRP. Because it is a “big brand name”, Amazon has placed it into some database at some point to prevent others from selling under the name. To fix this error code, you will have to alter the name in the same way as to get past the previous error code (5461-1).

PLEASE NOTE: You must change both the Brand and Manufacturer Fields quickly. Otherwise, errors will continue popping up. To solve this specific issue, you must continuously close the error codes and enter the information until the errors cease.

Amazon Error Code: 8556

This error code will typically appear when you have entered your barcode number incorrectly. When faced with this error code, the first thing you should do is to double-check that you’ve correctly input your barcode number. Please ensure that you select “UPC” for the 12-digit UPC number and “EAN” for the 13-digit EAN number.

Amazon Manufacturer Error Code

When encountering this error code, it means that either you have already used the UPC/EAN number inputted, the UPC/EAN code is incorrectly entered, or someone else has stolen/is illegally using the number. Please ensure that you select “UPC” for the 12-digit UPC number and “EAN” for the 13-digit EAN number.

Amazon Product ID Error Code

This is another error code that commonly appears when the barcode number is incorrectly input. This is common when an individual selects the incorrect category (UPC/EAN/GTIN) and inputs the incorrect number of numbers. Remember that UPC’s are 12 digits, EAN’s are 13 digits, and GTIN’s are 14 digits.