Most registration delays and later headaches trace back to a handful of avoidable mistakes.
1. Registering for too few GTINs
Choosing the smallest tier to save on the initial fee, then needing a top-up within months as new variants launch.
2. Letting the annual renewal lapse
Treating registration as one-time and missing the renewal date, which can suspend the right to issue new GTINs under that prefix.
3. Not verifying barcode print quality
A correctly issued GTIN can still fail at the point of sale if the printed barcode's size, contrast, or placement doesn't meet scanning requirements — this is a packaging/print issue, not a registration issue, but it's often mistaken for "the barcode not working."
4. Assuming a supplier's prefix covers your own products
Private-label brands sometimes assume a manufacturer's existing GS1 registration extends to them — it doesn't. Each brand owner needs its own prefix for products it sells under its own name.
Work out your real GTIN count first
See the worked example for counting variants correctly before you register.
Read the GTIN counting guide →