What is a GTIN and how do you get one for produce?
What Is a GTIN and How Do You Get One for Produce?
If you're trying to get PTI compliant — or a retailer has asked for your GTIN — this guide explains exactly what it is, why you need one, and how to get it.
GTIN stands for Global Trade Item Number. It's a 14-digit number that uniquely identifies a specific product in the supply chain — and it's the foundation of every PTI-compliant case label you'll ever print.
Think of it as a fingerprint for your product. A case of 24-count romaine lettuce packed by your operation has a different GTIN than a case of 12-count romaine — and both are different from the same products packed by a different grower. That uniqueness is the point. When a distribution center receives a pallet and scans a case, the GTIN tells their system exactly what's inside.
🏢 Who Assigns GTINs?
GTINs are not something you make up. They are issued through GS1, the global standards organization that manages product identification for supply chains worldwide. In the United States, that means going through GS1 US at gs1us.org.
GS1 is the only legitimate source for GTINs. You may see third-party resellers offering barcodes at lower prices — avoid them.
💰 Company Prefix vs. Single GTIN — What's the Difference?
This is the most common point of confusion, so let's clear it up.
Single GTIN
One product, one number
Available for a one-time fee of $30 from GS1 US. No annual renewal required.
Best if: You have just one or two products and no pallet label requirement.
GS1 Company Prefix ⭐
Recommended for most produce operations
A block of numbers licensed to your company. Create as many GTINs as your prefix capacity allows — plus generate SSCCs for pallet labels.
Cost: $250–$10,500 depending on capacity, with annual renewal.
For most produce operations, a Company Prefix is the right choice because you likely ship more than a handful of commodity and pack-style combinations — and you'll need SSCCs for pallet labels when retailers require them.
🧮 How Many GTINs Do You Need?
Each unique combination of commodity + pack style + brand gets its own GTIN. The lot number, pack date, and harvest details change with every run — but those go on the label separately. The GTIN itself stays constant for that product configuration.
📋 Step-by-Step: How to Get Your GTINs
Go to GS1 US
Visit gs1us.org and navigate to the store. Before purchasing, use their barcode estimator tool — it asks how many products you need to identify and recommends the right prefix capacity for your operation.
License a GS1 Company Prefix
Select the prefix capacity that covers your current products plus a buffer for growth. Pay the initial licensing fee and first year's annual renewal. GS1 US will issue your unique Company Prefix — typically processed the same day.
Assign GTINs in GS1 Data Hub
Set up your products in GS1 Data Hub, their online management tool. For each commodity and pack style you ship:
• Enter the product description, brand name, and packaging level
• GS1 Data Hub assigns the next available GTIN from your prefix automatically
• Set the status to "In Use" — this permanently links that GTIN to that product
Once a GTIN is set to "In Use," the product assignment is permanent. Make sure the commodity description, pack style, and brand match exactly how you'll represent the product on your labels.
Register with Your Trading Partners
Most major retailers have a supplier onboarding portal where you register your products before your first shipment. For Costco, that's through their supplier compliance system. For retailers using Procurant, it's through that platform. Your buyer contact can point you to the right process.
📊 GTIN-14 vs. 12-Digit UPC — What's the Difference?
You may notice that retail UPC barcodes use 12 digits, but PTI labels use a 14-digit GTIN. This is the same number system — the PTI GTIN-14 simply adds two leading digits to the standard 12-digit structure.
💡 Good news for your workflow:
When your PTI labeling software generates a label, it handles this conversion automatically. You just need your GS1 Company Prefix and the product assignments set up correctly — the software formats the GTIN-14 for the GS1-128 barcode on your case label.
🚩 Common GTIN Mistakes to Avoid
Using the Same GTIN for Different Pack Styles
A 12-count and a 24-count are different products. They need different GTINs, even if it's the same commodity. Using the same GTIN will cause receiving errors at the DC.
Buying GTINs from Third-Party Resellers
Only GTINs issued directly by GS1 US are verifiable in the GS1 registry. Retailers check this — and a barcode that fails verification is a problem you'll discover at receiving, not at your dock.
Letting Your GS1 Membership Lapse
An expired prefix means your GTINs can no longer be verified, which can cause receiving failures at retail distribution centers. Set a calendar reminder for your annual renewal.
Not Planning for Pallet Labels
SSCCs — the unique identifiers used on pallet labels — can only be created with a GS1 Company Prefix. If you bought only single GTINs, you won't be able to generate SSCCs when a retailer requires them.
🌱 Once You Have Your GTINs, Then What?
Getting your GTINs is the prerequisite. Once you have them, the next step is getting those GTINs into your labeling workflow so every case that leaves your dock has a compliant PTI label printed with the correct GTIN, lot number, pack date, and voice pick code.
That's exactly what AgTag USA handles. ⭐
You enter your GTINs into AgTag once, link them to your commodities, and from that point forward every label you print is automatically formatted to PTI spec — GTIN encoded in the GS1-128 barcode, voice pick code calculated, human-readable fields populated from your order data.
Setup takes hours, not weeks. There's no template design, no IT project, and no integration consultant required.
Try AgTag USA Free for 7 Days
No credit card required. Enter your GTINs once and start printing compliant PTI labels today.
Start Your Free Trial →❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a GS1 Company Prefix?
The online application at gs1us.org typically processes immediately after payment. You can start assigning GTINs in GS1 Data Hub the same day.
Do I need a new GTIN every harvest season?
No. GTINs are assigned to a product configuration — commodity, pack style, and brand — not to a specific harvest. Your lot number and pack date on the label change with each harvest; the GTIN stays the same.
What if I grow for multiple brands or private labels?
Each brand requires its own GTINs. If you pack under your own brand and also produce a private-label product for a retailer, each configuration needs a distinct GTIN. Some retailers assign their own GTINs for private-label programs — confirm with your buyer.
Can a small farm with just a few products skip the Company Prefix?
Possibly, if you're selling direct to a single retailer and don't need pallet SSCCs. But most operations end up needing a Company Prefix eventually, and the economics usually favor getting the prefix upfront rather than buying individual GTINs and upgrading later.
Is my GTIN the same as my UPC?
They use the same number system. The UPC-A barcode format used at retail checkout is 12 digits. The PTI GTIN-14 used for produce case labels is 14 digits. Your GS1 Company Prefix underlies both.