GS1 UAE Barcodes in 2026: How to Get GTINs, What Plans Exist, Renewal Terms and Marketplace Use

To get a barcode number (GTIN) for products you sell in the UAE, join GS1 UAE. GS1 UAE states it is the only authorised provider of unique GTINs in the UAE, and GS1's own support page says GTINs are only available from GS1 and that you must join a local GS1 member organisation. Plans start at 25 barcodes. GS1 UAE bases fees on annual turnover but the pages we opened published no AED prices, so you must request a quote. This page is current as of October 2026.

What is a GTIN and why do UAE sellers need one?

A GTIN is the number under the barcode, also called an EAN or UPC. GS1 UAE says you need one to identify your product whether you sell in a store or online. For the short definition see the glossary entry on GTIN.

Two reasons it matters beyond the listing form:

• Marketplaces use the GTIN to match your offer to a product page. GS1 UAE's FAQ says one genuine GS1 GTIN per product variant is accepted by every major marketplace, naming Amazon, Noon and Carrefour.
• Regulators can expect a barcode on the pack. Dubai Municipality's supplement guideline says the identification code (barcode) must be clear and unique for each product.

If you own a brand and your barcodes are not from GS1, read Amazon.ae GTIN exemption first. This page covers buying GS1 numbers, not exemptions.

How do you get a GS1 UAE barcode?

GS1 UAE lists three steps:

1. Sign up to GS1 UAE on the plans page.
2. Log in to the My GS1 portal to create GTINs and barcodes and manage product data.
3. Put the barcodes on physical products or online listings.

The FAQ says you need a valid trade license, Ejari or any proof of billing. The get-a-barcode page does not state turnaround. The FAQ says Amazon may take up to 72 hours after you join to recognise your numbers.

Which plan do you need, and what does it cost?

GS1 UAE's plans page lists these packages:

A Tatmeen Traceability Project option exists for hospitals, pharmacies, clinics and medical stores. GS1 UAE says its fee structure is based on annual turnover and that the cost varies by package. It states no AED amounts on the pages we opened. Payment is by bank transfer. The FAQ gives conflicting timings, one answer saying payment is due on receipt of the invoice and another saying 30 days from the invoice date, so confirm the terms on your quote.

So the cost question has a short answer: get a quote from GS1 UAE for your turnover and package. Be wary of any third-party price list, because we could not verify one against GS1 UAE's own pages.

How many barcodes will you need?

Count variants, not products. GS1 UAE's FAQ says each product variant, such as different sizes, colours or flavours, needs its own unique barcode. GS1 UAE provides a GTIN estimator tool on its site.

For example, a brand selling 6 shampoo scents in 2 sizes has 12 variants, so it needs 12 GTINs. Ask GS1 UAE how multipacks and cartons should be numbered, because the pages we opened do not say. The example is illustrative, using the variant rule above.

If you expect to pass 25 variants soon, ask for a quote on the next plan now. At renewal your existing GTINs stay valid and renewal only extends the license. GS1 UAE's FAQ also says packages cannot be upgraded, downgraded or combined after ordering, so extra barcodes come as a separate new set.

What are the renewal terms?

The membership is annual. GS1 UAE's FAQ gives these terms:

• The license is due one year after issuance, with an email reminder 30 days before expiry.
• After expiry there is a 15-day grace period before suspension, then another 15 days before permanent termination.
• Renewal needs full payment in advance. Instalments are not available.

What does GS1 UAE not publish?

Before you budget, note the gaps in the pages we opened:

• Prices in AED for any plan, and any joining fee or VAT treatment. Ask for a written quote that shows the total.
• A turnaround time for issuing numbers after payment. The only timing we found is the 72 hours Amazon may take to recognise your numbers.
• How long the numbers last if you leave and later rejoin.
• Rules for multipacks, cartons and pallets.

Send GS1 UAE one email with all four questions, your trade license and your list of variants. Keep the reply with your supplier and listing records, because marketplace support teams and regulators may ask where a number came from.

How should you use the numbers once you have them?

Keep one master sheet that maps each GTIN to one SKU, one variant and one label artwork file. The same number should appear on the pack, in your listing template and in your stock system. Print the barcode large enough to scan and leave clear space around it, and test a printed proof with a scanner before a full print run. When a variant changes, such as a new size or recipe, ask GS1 UAE whether it needs a new number before you reuse the old one. If you sell regulated products, such as supplements or food, the barcode also has to match the registered product record, so see supplement registration and food label requirements.

Can you buy barcodes elsewhere?

GS1 and GS1 UAE both say GS1 is the source of genuine, unique GTINs. We did not find a GS1 UAE statement on resold numbers, so we make no claim about them. If a marketplace rejects a GS1 number, GS1 UAE's FAQ says to check that you chose the GTIN option rather than EAN in the product ID dropdown.

For brand-owner protection on Amazon.ae, see Amazon.ae Brand Registry and, for the trademark side, UAE trademark registration cost.

FAQ

Do I need GS1 barcodes to sell on Amazon.ae? Amazon.ae asks for a product ID. GS1 UAE says one genuine GS1 GTIN per variant is accepted by major marketplaces. Some brand owners qualify for an exemption, which the GTIN exemption guide covers. Check the current rule in Seller Central.

How much does a GS1 UAE barcode cost? GS1 UAE bases fees on annual turnover and by package, and the pages we opened show no AED prices. Request a quote from GS1 UAE. Do not rely on third-party price lists.

How many barcodes come in the cheapest plan? The Starter plan covers 25 barcodes, Premium 100 and Business 1,000. Above 1,000 you contact GS1 UAE. Count each size, colour or flavour as a separate barcode.

What documents do I need to join? GS1 UAE's FAQ says a valid trade license, Ejari or any proof of billing. It does not list further documents on the pages we opened, so ask GS1 UAE if your company type is unusual.

What happens if I do not renew? GS1 UAE describes a 15-day grace period before suspension and another 15 days before permanent termination. Existing GTINs stay valid on renewal. Pay on time to avoid the suspension window.

Can a free zone company join GS1 UAE? The FAQ names a trade license, Ejari or proof of billing as accepted documents, and does not exclude free zone licenses. Confirm with GS1 UAE before you pay.

Do variants of one product share a barcode? No. GS1 UAE's FAQ says each variant needs its own unique barcode. Pack sizes, colours and flavours each count.

What to do next

Count your variants, request a GS1 UAE quote for the right plan, and enter the numbers in your listing templates before you submit products. For catalogue set-up and listing quality on Amazon.ae and noon, see Blooprint's catalogue and listing optimization.