Who Uses GTIN-8? A Friendly Guide to the People and Organizations Behind the 8-Digit Code

GTIN-8 is a compact global trade item number that fits in only eight digits and is most useful when space on a product or package doesn't allow a larger barcode. Understanding who uses GTIN-8 begins with identifying the groups that need compact, standardized product identifiers and how they apply the code in everyday logistics, retail and e-commerce operations.

Manufacturers and small brands

Small manufacturers, artisans, and niche brands often choose GTIN-8 when their product packaging is too small for an EAN-13 or UPC-A barcode. Examples include single-serving snacks, lipstick tubes, jewelry, small hardware items, and sample-size cosmetics. These brands benefit from GTIN-8 because it offers a globally recognized identifier that is scannable at point-of-sale systems and compatible with inventory systems.

Retailers and convenience stores

Retailers who stock many small items use GTIN-8 to maintain quick, clean shelf labels and barcode printing on tiny packages. Convenience stores, kiosks and small-format retailers that sell individually wrapped items (gum, batteries, small toys) often rely on GTIN-8 to save label space while keeping scanning and inventory processes seamless.

Trade associations and GS1 organizations

GTIN-8 numbers are managed within the GS1 system (the global standards organization for product identification). National GS1 member organizations may issue GTIN-8 ranges to local companies, particularly where countries have been allocated EAN-8 blocks for small item identification. GS1 provides guidelines, prefix assignments, and check digit calculations to ensure uniqueness and barcode reliability.

E-commerce marketplaces and digital platforms

Online marketplaces and product databases accept GTIN-8 in the same way they accept GTIN-13 or GTIN-12. Sellers of small products list GTIN-8 on product pages so marketplaces can match, manage, and verify listings. In some cases, larger platforms will convert or normalize GTIN-8 to longer forms for compatibility with systems that expect GTIN-13, by padding with leading zeros where appropriate.

Distributors and wholesalers

Distributors who handle many SKUs, including small components or accessories, use GTIN-8 to track items through warehouse management systems. Although GTIN-8 offers fewer unique combinations than longer GTIN variants, it remains practical for businesses that produce a limited number of distinct items or where a GTIN-8 block has been assigned for specific use.

Point-of-sale and payment solution providers

POS system vendors and barcode scanner manufacturers implement support for GTIN-8 scanning and decoding so retailers can ring up small items accurately. Payment and checkout systems use the GTIN-8 value to pull product descriptions, prices, taxes, and promotions from the database, enabling fast transactions even when barcode real estate is limited.

Regulators and customs

In some regulated industries, GTIN-8 can be used to identify small consumer products in safety recalls or import documentation. Regulatory bodies and customs authorities may reference GTIN values in communication, especially when items are sold in small packaging and require unique identifiers for traceability.

Who typically does NOT use GTIN-8

Large manufacturers with hundreds or thousands of SKUs generally prefer GTIN-13 or GTIN-12 because GTIN-8 provides a much smaller numbering pool and can limit expansion. Also, global retailers with integrated systems that expect GTIN-13 may avoid GTIN-8 unless size constraints force the choice.

Practical example

Imagine a boutique cosmetics maker selling sample-size lip balms on a retail shelf. The circular product surface won’t accommodate a standard barcode label. The brand secures GTIN-8 numbers through its national GS1 member, prints a small EAN-8 barcode directly on the blister or tube, and the product scans reliably at checkout and across inventory systems. The boutique remains identifiable in the supply chain without compromising packaging design.

Key takeaways

• GTIN-8 is primarily used by small brands, retailers, and organizations handling items with limited label space.
• GS1 member organizations oversee assignment and ensure global uniqueness.
• Retailers, POS providers, and e-commerce platforms accept GTIN-8 to enable scanning, inventory, and listing consistency.
• GTIN-8 is not ideal for businesses that need a large pool of unique identifiers.

For beginners, the simplest rule is: if your product is physically too small for a longer barcode and you need a globally standardized identifier, GTIN-8 is the solution frequently used by small brands, retailers, and GS1-managed systems.