GTIN Identifiers for Selling on TikTok
TikTok Shop has emerged as one of the largest marketplaces around the world and they published explicit product identifier guidelines embracing the global standards.
TikTok has become a powerhouse platform, boasting over 1 billion monthly active users, 13 billion global hashtag views, and an average of 17 app opens per user daily. This massive engagement makes it a prime channel for brands to connect with audiences.
Since the launch of TikTok Shop in September 2023, the platform’s team has analyzed user behavior to understand what drives conversions and how to unlock new revenue opportunities for brands. Their efforts have revealed significant insights, including a study showing that 83% of users report TikTok content directly influences their purchasing decisions. Armed with this knowledge, TikTok has introduced a comprehensive in-app, 360° e-commerce solution designed to seamlessly integrate content and commerce, driving meaningful engagement and sales for brands.
When the TikTok Shop was introduced, they created detailed requirements for the use of standardized Global Trade Items Numbers (GTINs). This necessary feature allows merchants, brands, and creators to showcase and sell their products through a seamless, end-to-end transaction experience entirely within the platform. In order to sell on major online marketplaces and retailers, your products must have unique identifiers licensed to your brand.
By implementing the use of unique identifiers such as Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs) with UPC barcodes for products listed on the platform, TikTok Shop has enhanced its catalog management capabilities. This improvement helps businesses increase the visibility of their products in several key ways.The utilization of GTINs ensures that merchants can display relevant products to their audience, clearly distinguish new products from existing ones, and provide consumers with the confidence that their purchases accurately match the product information in the listings. This accuracy and clarity foster trust and reliability, making the shopping experience more seamless and effective for both businesses and consumers.
TikTok’s Understanding of Standardized Identifiers
As the relative new kid on the block, TikTok was able to circumvent some of the mistakes incurred by other retailers and marketplaces for product and shipment identification. Up until 2016, Amazon was hyper-focused on growth and did not fully embrace a company-wide adherence to brand-licensed GTIN identifiers. Misinformation on the internet and ambiguous guidelines enabled untrustworthy UPC/EAN barcodes (GTINs) to pollute their product databases. Consequently, Amazon had to delist products for new and existing suppliers using “resold” or “shared-prefix” barcodes. TikTok explicitly requires their suppliers to obtain GTINs from a local GS1 office so that the supplier is the referenced brand owner for their listed products. Here’s a direct quote from their Seller Central website:
As the policy illustrates, barcodes/GTINs for TikTok must have a UPC Company Prefix licensed to each specific seller. TikTok is now using tools, such as GTIN.cloud and GEPIR to validate that the UPC Company Prefix is associated with the brand seller. By obtaining GS1 UPC barcodes, TikTok sellers are correctly licensing a UPC Company Prefix or GTIN which uniquely identifies their company.
Whereas the GTINs and Company Prefixes provided by local GS1 offices are ONLY the identifiers, the actual barcodes and support is provided by Barcode US. The GS1 Barcode Service encompasses all aspects of obtaining & assigning GTINs with the help of an assigned GS1 barcode consultant, creating the actual digital barcodes for package design, and validation of product data.
Listing Products on TikTok Shop
Listing a product is straightforward and user-friendly. In Seller Central, go to the “Product” section to add a new item, either individually or in bulk.You’ll be prompted to provide essential details, such as the product name, category, variations, images, and more.
Once you’ve configured the variations, you’ll need to enter your brand-licensed GTIN under the Product Identifier section. For most categories, this field is mandatory unless you qualify for a valid exemption.
For assistance, please use the chat button below or feel free to call us at 800-662-0701. To apply, please visit www.barcode-us.com.
