EAN vs UPC vs GTIN — What Is the Difference and Which Do You Need?

If you have ever tried to list a product on Amazon, Flipkart, or any retailer's system, you have probably seen these three terms: EAN, UPC, and GTIN. They all sound similar and are often used interchangeably — yet they are different. This guide explains them clearly so you know exactly which one to buy for your business.

What Is GTIN?

GTIN stands for Global Trade Item Number. It is the umbrella term used by Amazon, Google Shopping, Flipkart, and supply chain systems to describe any globally unique product identification number. It is not a barcode format in itself — it is a concept that includes several formats.

Think of GTIN as the "category" and EAN/UPC as the specific "types" within that category.

What Is EAN-13?

EAN-13 (European Article Number, 13 digits) is the most widely used retail barcode format in the world. It is used on virtually all consumer products in India, Europe, Asia, Africa, South America — everywhere outside North America. When you see a barcode on a product in an Indian supermarket, it is almost certainly an EAN-13.

• 13 digits long
• Prefix range tells you the issuing country or organisation
• Globally accepted across all retail and e-commerce platforms
• The recommended format for Indian sellers

What Is UPC-A?

UPC-A (Universal Product Code, 12 digits) was historically the standard format in the United States and Canada. It preceded EAN and was later incorporated into the EAN standard. Today, UPC-A is accepted globally, but it is especially important if you are selling into North American markets (USA, Canada).

• 12 digits long
• Widely used in USA, Canada
• Accepted on Amazon India as well as Amazon USA
• Mathematically, a UPC-A code is an EAN-13 code with a leading zero

The Key Relationship: EAN-13 = UPC-A + Leading Zero

This is the most important technical fact to understand. An EAN-13 code and a UPC-A code for the same product are essentially the same number. For example:

• UPC-A: 012345678905 (12 digits)
• EAN-13: 0012345678905 (12 digits + leading zero = 13 digits)

They represent the same product identity. This is why every Planet Retail package includes both — you only need one product number, but we provide it in both formats for your convenience.

Comparison Table

Feature	EAN-13	UPC-A	GTIN
Digits	13	12	8, 12, 13, or 14
Used In	Globally (India, Europe, Asia…)	USA, Canada	Everywhere (umbrella term)
Amazon India	✅ Accepted	✅ Accepted	✅ Required
Flipkart	✅ Accepted	✅ Accepted	—
Retail Stores India	✅ Standard	✅ Accepted	—
Best for India	⭐ Yes	Secondary	—

Which One Do You Need?

For Indian sellers: You need an EAN-13 barcode. It works on Amazon India, Flipkart, Jiomart, retail stores, and all other Indian platforms. It is also globally accepted, so you are covered for international expansion.

For sellers targeting the USA: You need a UPC-A. But since every Planet Retail package includes both, you are covered automatically.

For Amazon, Flipkart, or Google Shopping: When they ask for a "GTIN", they mean either your EAN-13 or UPC-A number. Enter your 13-digit EAN number.