Is GS1 Barcode Mandatory in India? A Beginner’s Guide for Manufacturers & Brand Owners

It’s a classic story I’ve seen unfold many times. A new business owner creates a fantastic product - maybe a special homemade pickle or a new line of cotton shirts. They are ready to sell. But then, they hit a wall of jargon.

“Do you have a GTIN?” “Is your product GS1 registered?”

Suddenly, the excitement turns into anxiety. You start wondering, is gs1 barcode mandatory? Am I breaking the law if I just stick a simple price tag on my product?

If you are feeling this pressure, take a deep breath.

You don’t need to know every technical detail about global supply chains to get started. In this beginner’s guide, I’ll walk you through exactly when you need a verified barcode and, more importantly, when you don’t.

What is a GS1 Barcode Anyway?

Before we panic about laws, let’s understand what we are talking about.

Think of a GS1 barcode (often called a GTIN or EAN) as an Aadhar card for your product. It is a unique 13-digit number that identifies your specific product anywhere in the world.

If you buy a packet of Maggie noodles in Mumbai, it has the same barcode number as a packet of Maggie noodles in Delhi. That uniqueness is managed by a global body called GS1.

Is Barcode Compulsory in India? The Short Answer

This is the most common question I get asked by new brand owners and manufacturers using our Zubizi invoicing software. Is barcode compulsory in india for every single business?

The short answer is: No.

There is no blanket law in India that says every single product sold must have a GS1 barcode.

If you sell locally in your own shop: You don’t legally need GS1 barcodes for products you manufacture and sell directly to customers in your own outlet (e.g. unbranded garments or homemade snacks).
If you supply to small local retailers: Often, small local shops can manage with your internal stock keeping units (SKUs) or simple stickers, though this is changing.

However, the “No” becomes a “Yes” depending on where you want to sell.

When Do You Absolutely Need It? (The “Definite Yes” List)

While the government might not force you, your buyers or platforms might. You absolutely need to register for a GS1 barcode if:

1. You Sell Online (Amazon, Flipkart, JioMart)

If you plan to list your products on major e-commerce marketplaces like Amazon or Flipkart, is gs1 barcode mandatory? Yes. These platforms use the barcode to make sure your product is unique. They won’t let you list without a valid GTIN (Global Trade Item Number).

2. You Want to Sell in Modern Retail Chains

Do you dream of seeing your product on the shelves of Reliance Smart, D-Mart, or Big Bazaar? These large chains rely on automated inventory systems. They will strictly require your products to have GS1 standard barcodes for their scanning systems to work.

3. You Are Exporting

If you are sending your goods outside India, international buyers will demand GS1 barcodes. It is the global language of trade.

4. Government Tenders

Many government supplies and tenders now mandate standard barcoding for tracking and traceability.

Documents & Cost for GS1 Registration

I often hear business owners worry about the cost. It is a genuine concern. The fees are based on your annual turnover, but for a new business, the initial registration is a serious financial commitment.

For a small business, getting registered is an investment. As of the latest fee structure:

For a small business (New Company or Turnover up to ₹5 Cr) looking for 100 barcodes with a 1 year validity, the initial investment is significant.

According to the GS1 India fee structure as of Jan 2026:

Registration Fee: ₹26,000
Subscription Fee: ₹12,250
Security Deposit: ₹3,000 (Refundable)
GST @ 18%: ₹6,885
Total Payable: ₹48,135

Note: This is the minimum entry cost for this tier. Prices increase for higher turnover or more barcodes.

Documents You Will Need

Gather these before you apply to save time:

PAN Card: Applicant company’s PAN or proprietor’s PAN.
Turnover Proof: Balance sheet for the year ending 2024 or 2025 (Not required for new companies).
Request Letter: On company letterhead requesting barcode allotment.
Cancelled Cheque: Copy of the company’s cancelled cheque.
Proof of Status:
- Proprietorship: GST/VAT certificate.
- Partnership: GST/VAT certificate or Partnership deed.
- Pvt/Public Ltd: GST/VAT certificate AND ROC certificate or MOA.
- Others: GST/VAT certificate or ROS certificate.

Important Things to Know Before Applying

Processing Time: Registration usually takes 7-10 working days after submission.
Brand Owners Only: Only the brand owner can apply. If you do job work, the brand owner must apply directly.
Choose Capacity Wisely: You can apply for batches of 100, 1,000, 10,000, or 1,00,000. You cannot change this number later. If you exhaust your batch, you must register again. Plan for future variants!
No Agents: GS1 India does not appoint agents. Deal directly with them to avoid scams.

How to Apply (3 Simple Steps)

Getting your barcode isn’t rocket science.

Apply Online: Go to the GS1 India website and fill out the application form.
Pay the Fee: Calculate your fee based on your turnover and the number of barcodes you need (e.g., 100 products), and pay online.
Get Your GTINs: Once verified, they will email you your unique number series. You can then use software to generate the black-and-white lines (images) for your packaging.

Do You Need Barcodes for Your Billing Software?

Here is a secret: Zubizi and many other modern billing software tools don’t require you to have an official GS1 barcode just to make a bill.

If you are just selling locally in your own shop, you can generate your own “local” barcodes (like ITEM-001) and stick them on your products. Your barcode scanner will read them just fine. This is perfect for:

In-house apparel brands selling D2C
Home bakers selling directly to customers
Small manufacturers with their own outlets

We learned this the hard way at Zubizi. Many users delayed automating their billing because they thought they needed “official” barcodes first. You don’t!

The Bottom Line

So, is gs1 barcode mandatory? Only if you want to play in the big leagues (Online, Exports, Modern Retail).

If you are just starting out, don’t let this stop you.

Start Local: Use simple internal codes.
Scale Up: Get GS1 registered when you are ready to sell on Amazon or export.

The most important thing is to start selling. The paperwork can always follow your success.

Have questions about how to manage inventory with or without barcodes? Reach out to us and talk to our experts.