EAN codes for Amazon. What actually works.
Amazon is the one store where we tell sellers to think twice before buying codes from anyone but GS1, including us. Here is why, and what your options are.
How Amazon checks a barcode
When you create a new listing, Amazon looks the EAN up in the GS1 database. GS1 shows which company owns the prefix the code belongs to. If that company doesn't match the brand on your listing, Amazon can refuse the listing. The usual message is error 8572: Amazon asks you to prove the link between your brand and the owner of the GTIN.
Codes from a reseller, ours included, are registered to the company that originally received the prefix from GS1. So the brand on your listing won't match the GS1 record. Amazon staff on the seller forums say the same thing in plain words: buy product IDs from GS1.
Your three options
| Option | Best for | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| GTIN exemption | Unbranded, handmade, private-label products, bundles. You list without a barcode at all. | Free. Apply in Seller Central per category and brand. |
| Join GS1 | Brands that want Amazon Brand Registry, retail chains or many products. | Entry fee plus yearly fee, see GS1 costs by country. |
| Bought codes | Sellers who list on several stores and want to try Amazon too, knowing it may refuse the code. | From €3.99 per code, refunded if Amazon rejects it within 60 days. |
Fulfilment by Amazon and barcodes
Since 31 March 2026, only sellers with the Brand Representative role in Brand Registry can ship FBA stock with manufacturer barcodes. Everyone else labels units with Amazon's own FNSKU sticker. You still need a product ID or an exemption to create the listing, but the barcode printed on your packaging won't be what Amazon scans in the warehouse.
If you buy our codes for Amazon
- Try one code on one listing first. A single code costs €3.99.
- If Amazon shows error 8572 or any other refusal, send us the screenshot. We refund every rejected code within 5 business days.
- Use the rest of your codes on eBay, Kaufland, Otto, Etsy or your own shop, where they're accepted. See where our codes work.
Questions
Does Amazon accept EAN codes not bought from GS1?
Sometimes. Amazon compares the brand on your listing with the GS1 record of the code. When they don't match, the listing can fail with error 8572. Results vary by category and brand, so we can't promise acceptance.
What is Amazon error 8572?
It means the product ID you entered is registered in GS1 to a company that doesn't match your brand. Amazon asks for proof that you're allowed to use that code, such as a GS1 certificate in your name or a letter from the brand owner.
Can I sell on Amazon without any barcode?
Yes, if your product qualifies for a GTIN exemption. It's free and common for unbranded, handmade and private-label goods. You apply in Seller Central for each category and brand.
Do I need my own GS1 codes for Amazon Brand Registry?
For Brand Registry you need a registered trademark. To be the brand that owns the product IDs in Amazon's eyes, your codes should be registered to you in GS1, which means joining GS1.