A GTIN-14 is a 14-digit identifier used primarily to represent trade items at the carton, case, or pallet level in the supply chain. The GTIN-14 is used for shipping and receiving purposes or multipacks of products. It’s often employed for items that are sold in bulk, distributed in cases, or packaged for resale at a higher level than a single unit.
Structure of a GTIN-14:
A GTIN-14 is a 14-digit number, structured as follows:
- Packaging Indicator (1 digit):
- Company Prefix (variable length):
- Product Item Number (variable length):
- Check Digit (1 digit):
Example of a GTIN-14:
An example of a GTIN-14 might look like this: 12345678901234
- The first digit would represent the packaging level (e.g., a “3” could mean this is a case).
- The following digits would be the company prefix and the product item number, identifying the manufacturer and the specific product or packaging configuration.
- The last digit is the check digit, ensuring the integrity of the GTIN.
Summary:
The GTIN-14 is mainly used for identifying trade items at a higher level in the supply chain, such as cases, cartons, or pallets. It facilitates efficient inventory management, logistics, and traceability of bulk items, making it a key tool for companies managing large quantities of products that are sold in bulk or grouped together for distribution.