GS1 Prefix Allocation: Ülke Kodları Nasıl Çalışır

GS1 Prefix Allocation: How Country Codes Work

The first three digits of every EAN-13 barcode form the GS1 prefix, allocated to GS1 Member Organizations around the world. These prefixes are often called "country codes," but that label is misleading.

What the Prefix Really Means

A GS1 prefix identifies the GS1 Member Organization that assigned the company prefix, not the country where the product was made. A product with prefix 880 (GS1 Korea) might be manufactured in China, designed in the US, and sold in Germany.

Prefix Allocation Table

Special-Use Prefixes

• 020-029, 040-049: Reserved for in-store/internal use. Retailers can assign these for items without a manufacturer barcode (e.g., deli items, local produce)
• 977: Reserved for ISSN (periodicals)
• 978-979: Reserved for ISBN (books, "Bookland")
• 980: Refund receipt identifiers
• 981-984: Common currency coupons

Common Misconceptions

The biggest misconception is that the prefix indicates country of origin. Consumers and even some retailers incorrectly assume that a barcode starting with 690 means "Made in China." In reality, it only means the company obtained their GS1 prefix from GS1 China.