885 Barcode Numbers

GS1-Thailand are the only barcode company with 885 numbers. Their business model a membership fee and then annual licence fees every year.

Barcodes do not tell you which country a product is from. This is a misunderstanding. GS1 confirm this on their company prefix page on their website; “Note that since GS1 member companies can manufacture products anywhere in the world, GS1 prefixes do not identify the country of origin for a given product.” GS1

Many people mistakenly believe that the first few digits of the barcode numbers show the country of origin of the product. However the barcode number says NOTHING accurate about the country of origin of the product. The only thing that these first few digits show is which GS1 company the barcode is rented from.  So in reality, products can have any barcode number on them. Please see the GS1 website regarding no link to origin of product.

If you want to show that your product is made in Thailand, then you may want to print “Made in Thailand” or similar on the product. This is an advertising claim and must be proved if challenged. (Some manufacturers also print “Made in Thailand” directly above the barcode to help customers). Let us know if you want us to add this to your barcode images.

Origin of Product myth

Click here to see GS1 page about origin of product.

Please also see this article on Truth or Fiction website or this Snopes article on the origins of this myth.

All barcodes and barcode systems are designed for international use, so there are virtually no restrictions based on the country of origin world wide. Any specific examples of stores placing any type of restrictions on barcodes can be seen here.

We are a member of the International Barcode Network which provides barcodes in over 120 countries.

When you buy barcodes from us you can register company and product information on several international databases including International Barcode Registry. and Barcodes Database.org

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