How to Get a Barcode for a Product in India

If you are launching a new product, getting a barcode is usually one of those things you start thinking about when the packaging is almost ready.

You may already have the product name, packaging design and price finalized, but then your printer, retailer or distributor asks, “Do you have the barcode?”

That is where things can become confusing.

When you search online, you will come across terms such as EAN-13, GS1, GTIN, barcode registration and barcode generator. You will also find different companies offering barcode services, which can make it difficult to understand which option is right for your business.

The good news is that getting a barcode does not have to be complicated. The important part is understanding which barcode solution is suitable for your product and where you plan to sell it.

In this guide, we explain how to get a barcode for a product in India, how many barcodes you may need, when GS1 India registration may be required, how EAN-13 works and what you should check before printing the barcode on your packaging.

How Do You Get a Barcode for a Product in India?

The process is fairly straightforward when you do it in the right order.

1. Make a list of your products and product variants.
2. Decide where you plan to sell them.
3. Check the barcode requirements of your retailer, marketplace or distributor.
4. Find out whether you need GS1 India-issued identification.
5. Choose the appropriate barcode route.
6. Calculate how many barcode numbers you need.
7. Obtain the required barcode numbers.
8. Assign each number to the correct product.
9. Get suitable barcode artwork for printing.
10. Test the printed barcode before producing packaging in large quantities.

The important thing is to make these decisions before your packaging goes to print.

First, Decide How Many Products Need Barcodes

Before buying a barcode package, start with your product list.

Suppose you manufacture a face wash in two sizes:

• Face Wash – 50 ml
• Face Wash – 100 ml

Although the brand and product name are the same, these are two different sellable variants.

The same situation can happen with:

• Different clothing sizes
• Food pack sizes
• Different flavours
• Cosmetics shades
• Different product quantities
• Different models of an electronic product
• Single packs and multipacks

If you only have a few products, this is easy to calculate. If your business has 50, 100 or more products, it is better to prepare a simple spreadsheet before ordering your barcodes.

If you are unsure about the quantity, read our guide:

How Many Barcodes Do I Need for My Products?

Which Barcode Is Commonly Used for Products in India?

For retail products, EAN-13 is one of the commonly used barcode formats.

You have probably seen EAN-13 barcodes on packaged food, cosmetics, clothing, electronics and household products.

It consists of a series of vertical bars with a 13-digit number printed underneath.

One thing that often causes confusion is the difference between the barcode number and the barcode image.

The number is the product identifier. The barcode is the machine-readable representation of that number.

When a scanner reads the barcode, the number can be matched with the product information stored in the retailer’s POS, inventory or product management system.

Do You Need GS1 India Registration?

This is one of the most important questions to answer before getting a barcode.

GS1 India is the authorised organisation in India for issuing GS1 barcodes beginning with the 890 prefix.

If a retailer, marketplace, distributor or other business specifically requires a GS1 India-issued GTIN, you should follow the GS1 India registration process.

GS1 India’s registration requirements and fees depend on factors such as the business turnover, barcode capacity and subscription period.

You can check the current information directly from:

GS1 India – Register for Barcodes

This is worth checking before purchasing a barcode from any third-party provider.

What If You Don’t Need GS1 India Registration?

There are independent barcode service providers that offer EAN-13 barcode numbers through a different model, often as a one-time purchase.

This is different from registering your company directly with GS1 India.

Whether an independent EAN-13 barcode service is suitable depends on your intended use and the requirements of the businesses you sell to.

For example, if your retailer specifically says that you must provide a GS1 India-issued GTIN, you should follow that requirement rather than choosing another option simply because it is cheaper or faster.

On the other hand, if your intended sales channel does not require GS1 India registration, an independent EAN-13 barcode service may be an option worth considering.

NovoBarcode is an independent barcode service provider. We provide EAN-13 barcode numbers and digital barcode artwork for businesses that need product identification.

Our service is separate from GS1 India registration. If your retailer, marketplace or trading partner specifically requires GS1 India-issued identification, you should use the official GS1 India registration route.

How to Get an EAN-13 Barcode Online

Once you have determined which barcode route is appropriate for your business, the process is simple.

For an independent EAN-13 barcode service, the usual process is:

Choose the quantity → place the order → provide the required information → receive the barcode → assign it to your product → add it to your packaging.

For example, if you have 25 different products, you need to plan for enough barcode numbers to cover those products.

If you have a larger product catalogue, you may prefer a bulk package instead of purchasing individual barcodes one at a time.

You can check the current NovoBarcode packages here:

Buy EAN-13 Barcodes Online

Keep a Record of Which Barcode Belongs to Which Product

This may seem like a small thing when you have only a few products, but it becomes very important as your product range grows.

Keep a simple record such as:

You don’t need complicated software for this. A spreadsheet is enough for most small and medium-sized businesses.

The important thing is to avoid assigning the wrong barcode to a product or losing track of which number belongs to which SKU.

How Do You Put a Barcode on Product Packaging?

Getting the barcode number is only one part of the job. The barcode also needs to be printed correctly.

Your packaging designer should pay attention to:

• Barcode size
• Clear space around the barcode
• Contrast between the bars and background
• Print quality
• Packaging material
• Curved surfaces
• Folds and seams
• Barcode placement

For example, placing a barcode directly over a curved bottle can make scanning more difficult.

Similarly, putting the barcode too close to another design element can reduce the clear space around it.

For more information, see our guide:

EAN-13 Barcode Size & Placement on Product Packaging

Always Test the Barcode Before Printing in Bulk

This is one step that businesses often overlook.

A barcode may look perfectly clear on your computer screen but fail to scan properly after it has been printed.

Problems can occur because of:

• Low-resolution artwork
• Incorrect barcode size
• Poor contrast
• Insufficient clear space
• Printing defects
• Glossy or reflective packaging
• Curved surfaces
• Incorrect placement

If you are printing thousands of boxes or labels, don’t wait until everything has been produced.

Print one production-quality sample first and test the barcode.

It is much cheaper to fix one sample than thousands of finished packages.

How Much Does a Barcode Cost in India?

There isn’t one fixed price for every barcode service in India.

The cost depends on the type of service you choose and the number of barcode numbers you need.

For GS1 India registration, the cost can depend on factors such as:

• Business turnover
• Barcode capacity
• Registration period
• Applicable taxes

Independent barcode providers may instead offer fixed packages based on the number of EAN-13 barcodes purchased.

This means you should not compare barcode prices without first checking what type of service you are actually getting.

A lower price is not necessarily better if your retailer or marketplace requires a different type of product identification.

The first question should always be:

“Will this barcode meet the requirements of the channel where I plan to sell?”

Once that is clear, you can compare prices properly.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Barcode?

The time depends on which route you choose.

GS1 India’s current information states that its registration process generally takes around 7–10 working days after the required registration information, documents and payment have been submitted.

Independent online barcode providers may have a different delivery process, particularly when the service involves digital barcode files.

If you are preparing new packaging on a tight deadline, check the expected delivery time before placing an order.

Example: A New Skincare Brand

Let’s say you have started a small skincare company with six products:

• Face Wash – 50 ml
• Face Wash – 100 ml
• Face Serum – 30 ml
• Moisturiser – 50 ml
• Moisturiser – 100 ml
• Sunscreen – 50 ml

You first make sure that all six products are correctly identified.

Then you decide where you plan to sell them.

If your retailer requires GS1 India-issued identification, you follow the GS1 India route.

If your intended sales channel accepts the type of EAN-13 service you are considering, you can choose an appropriate package and obtain the required barcode numbers.

You then assign each number to the correct product, add the barcode to your packaging design and test a printed sample.

That’s essentially the process.

Common Barcode Mistakes to Avoid

There are a few mistakes that are easy to avoid if you plan ahead.

Buying a barcode before checking retailer requirements

Don’t assume that every retailer or marketplace accepts every type of barcode. Check the requirements first.

Using the same barcode for different variants

Different sizes, flavours, colours, quantities or other product variations may require separate product identification.

Confusing a barcode image with barcode registration

A barcode generator can create the visual bars from a number, but creating an image does not automatically mean that you have obtained an appropriate product identifier.

Printing the barcode too small

The barcode needs enough space and suitable print quality to be scanned reliably.

Not keeping a barcode record

As your product range grows, a simple barcode-to-product spreadsheet can prevent a lot of confusion.

Printing thousands of packages without testing

Always test the actual printed barcode before approving a large packaging order.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a barcode for a product in India?

First decide which products and variants you need to identify, where you intend to sell them and whether your sales channel requires GS1 India-issued identification. Then choose the appropriate barcode route, obtain the required numbers and add the barcode artwork to your packaging.

Can a small business get a barcode?

Yes. Small businesses and startups can need barcodes just as larger manufacturers do. The number of barcodes you need mainly depends on your product range and variants.

Do I need GS1 India to get a barcode?

Not necessarily. It depends on your intended use and the requirements of your retailer, marketplace or trading partner. If GS1 India-issued identification is specifically required, register through GS1 India.

Can I buy just one barcode?

Some independent barcode providers offer single-barcode packages. Whether that option is suitable depends on where you plan to sell the product.

How many barcodes do I need?

Start by listing your products and variants. Different sizes, flavours, colours, quantities or pack configurations may require separate product identification.

How much does a product barcode cost in India?

There is no single price. GS1 India registration has its own fee structure, while independent providers may offer fixed packages based on quantity.

Can I print an EAN-13 barcode on my product label?

Yes. EAN-13 barcode artwork can be printed on suitable product packaging and labels. The size, contrast, clear space and print quality should be appropriate for reliable scanning.

Does an EAN-13 barcode contain my product price?

No. A standard EAN-13 product identifier does not contain your complete product description or price. The number is scanned and then matched with product information in the relevant system.

What should I do if my barcode doesn’t scan?

Check the physical printed barcode for size, contrast, clear space, print quality and placement. Don’t rely only on how the barcode looks on your computer screen.

Getting a Barcode Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated

If you’re launching your first product, barcode registration can initially look more complicated than it really is.

Start with four simple questions:

What products am I selling?

How many variants do I have?

Where will I sell them?

Does my buyer require GS1 India-issued identification?

Once those questions are answered, choosing the right barcode solution becomes much easier.

If your requirements are suitable for an independent EAN-13 barcode service, you can view the available NovoBarcode packages here:

View EAN-13 Barcode Packages →

If you’re still unsure about the quantity, read our detailed guide:

How Many Barcodes Do I Need for My Products?