Country Code Prefix Barcode
What is this and what does it mean?
Barcode numbers that begin with specific country codes are barcode numbers that come directly from the GS1 of a particular country or are issued by an official standards agency in that country.
In countries where there is GS1, The only legal way to get started with these custom country codes is to join GS1 – this means completing their membership forms and paying the joining fee and annual membership fee to GS1 – which is very expensive (the GS1 license just numbers you – so you have to pay its annual fee every year for the rest of the life of your product). Please read this article by Peter Strong (Chairman of the Small Business Council of Oman) on “Shadow Regulators”. These are not for-profit organizations that have a monopoly control over the business community.
In countries with a non-GS1 standards body, Figures for each country can be obtained from that body, or the International Barcode Network Agency in that country.
Many people mistakenly believe that the first few digits of barcode numbers indicate the country of origin of the product. However , The barcode number does not say anything exactly about the country of origin of the product. The only thing these first few numbers show is the country of origin of the barcode number itself. So , In fact , Products that come from any particular country can have any barcode on them.
If you want to prove that your product is made in your country, for example , New Zealand, The best way to do this is to print “Made in New Zealand” or something similar on the product. This is a declaration claim and must be substantiated if it is challenged. (Some manufacturers also print “Made in New Zealand” directly above the barcode to help customers.)
The myth of the barcode number stating the country of origin of the product is an ancient myth that has been completely debunked. Please see the Snopes article on the origins of this myth as well as its debunking.
All barcode and barcode systems are designed for international use, So there are almost no restrictions based on country of origin worldwide. Any specific examples of stores that place any kind of restrictions on barcodes can be seen here .
We are a member of an international network of barcode sellers and have customers in over 120 countries who use our barcodes without any issues.
Here is a list of country codes from GS1 organizations and other standards agencies around the world:
0 | USA / Canada |
1 | United States of America |
30 – 37 | France and Monaco |
380 | Bulgaria |
383 | Slovenia |
385 | Croatia |
387 | Bosnia and Herzegovina |
389 | the black Mountain |
390 | Kosovo |
40-44 | Germany |
45 | Japan |
46 | Russia |
470 | Kyrgyzstan |
471 | Taiwan |
474 | Estonia |
475 | Latvia |
476 | Azerbaijan |
477 | Lithuania |
478 | Uzbekistan |
479 | Sri Lanka |
480 | philippines |
481 | Belarus |
482 | Ukraine |
483 | Turkmenistan |
484 | Moldova |
485 | Armenia |
486 | Georgia |
487 | Kazakhstan |
488 | Tajikistan |
489 | Hong Kong |
49 | Japan |
50 | United kingdom |
520, 521 | Greece |
528 | Lebanon |
529 | Cyprus |
530 | Albania |
531 | Macedonia |
535 | Malta |
539 | Sultanate of Oman |
54 | Belgium and Luxembourg |
560 | Portugal |
569 | Iceland |
570 | Denmark |
590 | Poland |
594 | Romania |
599 | Hungary |
600-601 | South Africa |
602 | Boys |
603 | Ghana |
604 | Senegal |
608 | the two seas |
609 | Mauritius |
611 | Morocco, West, sunset |
613 | Algeria |
615 | Nigeria |
616 | Kenya |
618 | Côte d’Ivoire |
619 | Tunisia |
620 | Tanzania |
621 | Syria |
622 | Egypt |
623 | Brunei |
624 | Libya |
625 | Jordan |
626 | Iran |
627 | Kuwait |
628 | Kingdom Saudi Arabia |
629 | The United Arab Emirates |
64 | Finland |
660 | Benin – Issued by ANM Benin |
69 | China |
70 | Norway |
729 | Israel |
73 | Sweden |
740 | Guatemala |
741 | El Salvador |
742 | Honduras |
743 | Nicaragua |
744 | Costa Rica |
745 | Panama |
746 | Dominican Republic |
750 | Mexico |
754-755 | Canada |
759 | Venezuela |
760-769 | Schweizer and Liechtenstein |
770-771 | Colombia |
773 | Uruguay |
775 | Peru |
777 | Bolivia |
779 | Argentina |
780 | Chile |
784 | Paraguay |
786 | Ecuador |
789-790 | Brazil |
800 – 839 | Italia |
840 – 849 | Spain |
850 | Cuba |
858 | Slovakia |
859 | Czech Republic |
860 | Serbia |
865 | Mongolia |
867 | North Korea |
868 – 869 | Turkey |
87 | Holland |
880 | South Korea |
885 | Thailand |
888 | Singapore |
890 | India |
893 | Vietnam |
896 | Pakistan |
899 | Indonesia |
90-91 | Austria |
93 | Sultanate of Oman |
94 | New Zealand |
955 | Malaysia |
958 | Macau |
96 | GS1 Global Office: GTIN-8 customizations |
977 | Serial Publications (ISSN) |
978-979 | Bookland (ISBN) |
980 | Return vouchers (redemption receipts) |
981-983 | Coins Coupons |
990-999 | Coupon Codes |