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GTIN Management Rules

Time critical or promotional product

A change to a product that is being promoted (including packaging changes) for a specific event or date, impacting the required handling in the supply chain to ensure the trade item is available for sale during a specified time period, requires assignment of a new GTIN.

Hierarchy level of GTIN assignment

  • No GTIN change is required at the retail consumer trade item/base unit level.
  • A unique GTIN is assigned at every existing level of the packaging hierarchy above the retail consumer trade item/base unit level.

Example business scenarios that require GTIN change

  • Free item(s) attached

    • A free trial item (not identified with its own GTIN) is attached to an existing item for a promotional period, the declared net content of the original item is unchanged and packaging dimensions or the gross weight of the product are NOT changed by more than 20%.
  • Modified for season

    • For a limited time, holiday images are portrayed on a product. Holiday trees are added to a box of tissues.
    • A unique product package is introduced for the “Back to School Season”.
    • World Cup logos are added to product packaging for a limited time.
  • On pack coupon with expiration date 
    • For a period of time, a manufacturer attaches a off coupon to a “Giant” size bottle of laundry detergent. The coupon is intended for redemption at time of purchase.
  • Promotion printed on pack
    • A promotional version of a product is launched with "Special offer" printed on the packaging.

Relevant guiding principles

More about guiding principles

Additional information

  • For time critical promotions, the GTIN for the retail consumer trade item/base unit level does not need to be changed, but for tracking in the supply chain, the case and pallet needs to be uniquely identified.
  • Local, national or regional regulations may require more frequent GTIN changes. Such regulations have precedence over the rules provided within the GTIN Management Standard.