Choose UPC-A if…
- You sell mainly on Amazon US, Canada or Mexico.
- You also list on Walmart Marketplace or Target Plus.
- Your retail buyers expect a 12-digit North American code.
Barcode guide · updated for Amazon sellers
UPC vs EAN
which one does Amazon need?
Short answer: Amazon accepts both. A UPC-A is the 12-digit North American standard, an EAN-13 is the 13-digit international standard, and both are GS1-compatible product identifiers valid for creating a new ASIN on Amazon FBA, Seller Central and Vendor Central. Below is the full comparison so you can pick with confidence.
UPC-A vs EAN-13 at a glance
| Attribute | UPC-A | EAN-13 |
|---|---|---|
| Digits | 12 (GTIN-12) | 13 (GTIN-13) |
| Primary region | United States, Canada, Mexico | Europe, UK, Asia, worldwide |
| Amazon new ASIN | Accepted | Accepted |
| Walmart / Target | Preferred | Accepted |
| eBay, Shopify, Etsy, TikTok Shop | Accepted | Accepted |
| Google Shopping GTIN field | Accepted | Accepted |
| Relationship | Add a leading 0 → EAN-13 | Drop leading 0 → UPC-A |
| Price at UPCBuy | From $0.014 per code | From $0.014 per code |
Choose EAN-13 if…
- You sell on Amazon UK, EU, Japan or Australia.
- You supply European retailers or distributors.
- You need a 13-digit GTIN for Google Shopping feeds abroad.
You never have to choose at UPCBuy
Every order file we email contains two columns — UPC BARCODES and EAN BARCODES. The EAN is the same number with a leading zero, so you can paste whichever format a marketplace asks for without buying twice.
UPC vs EAN — common questions
Does Amazon accept both UPC and EAN?
Yes. Amazon Seller Central accepts UPC-A (GTIN-12) and EAN-13 (GTIN-13) as valid product IDs when creating a new ASIN, in the US and international marketplaces.
What is the difference between a UPC and an EAN?
A UPC-A is 12 digits and is the North American standard. An EAN-13 is 13 digits and is the international standard. A UPC-A becomes a valid EAN-13 by adding a leading 0 — the underlying number is the same.
Which one should I choose for Amazon FBA?
If you sell mainly on Amazon US, Canada or Mexico, UPC-A is the natural choice. If you sell on Amazon UK, EU or Japan, EAN-13 is more familiar to buyers and retailers. Both are accepted everywhere.
Do I get both formats when I buy from UPCBuy?
Yes. Every order file we email contains two columns — UPC BARCODES and EAN BARCODES — so you always have the format each marketplace asks for.