Who this applies to#
- Use a UPC where a trading partner or sales channel needs a standardized scannable product identifier
What UPC requires#
- Use the GS1 identifier and barcode structure appropriate for the trade item
Shopify
A merchant can store standardized barcode data separately from its internal SKU
What this does not require#
- A UPC does not replace the merchant's internal SKU or inventory-location logic
Common mistakes#
- Using UPC and SKU interchangeably
- Treating the printed barcode and the identifier it encodes as identical concepts
UPC checklist#
- Identify the trade item
- Use the correct GS1 identifier
- Generate the matching barcode
- Keep SKU separate