The GS1 Prefix is a unique identification number that GS1 US® issues to your company that is part of every barcode, UPC, and identification number that is created. Fulfillment uses this prefix as the default company identifier when generating shipping label barcodes for your trading partners.
This prefix is also essential for generating SSCC labels and is universally used across trading partners unless a Trading Partner Override is configured.
Finding your GS1 Prefix
If you are unsure of your organization’s GS1 Prefix, there are several ways to locate it or alternatives to consider if you don’t have one.
Navigate to GS1 US (https://www.gs1us.org/tools/gs1-company-databasegepir) to look up your organization’s GS1 Prefix.
Look at a UPC for an item. The GS1 Prefix can be found in the first six digits.
The GS1 Prefix can be found on barcode labels (highlighted in yellow below).
Adding Your GS1 Prefix
If you have a GS1 Prefix, you can add this by following the below steps:
Click the Settings tab in Fulfillment.
Click the GS1 Prefix tile.
Add your GS1 Prefix in the GS1 Prefix field.
Hit Save to retain this GS1 Prefix for your Fulfillment trading partnerships.
Partner Specific Override
If you have several trading partners or operate on behalf of different legal entities, you may have more than one ID to be sent to different partners. In some cases, trading partners issue their own ID (Vendor Number) and you will need to use it instead of GS1 Prefix. Partner overrides allow you to designate a company identifier, such as your vendor number, that can be used for a specific trading partner’s shipping label barcode sequence. Partner overrides are used as the prefix for only that partner in place of your default GS1 Prefix.
To create a partner specific override, complete the steps below:
Click Create Override in the upper, right-hand corner.
Click into the Partner field and choose the partner for whom you'd like to add a Vendor Override.
Type the override GS1 or Vendor Number for the partner.
Click Create in the lower, right-hand corner.
To edit a partner specific override, complete the steps below:
Click the Edit ✎ icon.
Type the partner specific override for that trading partner.
Click Save in the lower, right-hand corner.
Error - GS1 Prefix or Vendor Number Missing
The valid GS1 Prefix or vendor number error is triggered to ensure that SPS Commerce has a valid GS1 Prefix or vendor override for your organization. This error typically occurs when there is a mismatch or missing GS1 Prefix/vendor override in the system, which can disrupt data transmission and prevent label generation.
If you encounter this error, complete the steps below:
Click the link in the error message, or navigate to the Settings tab and click GS1 Prefix.
Enter your GS1 Prefix or vendor override.
Click Save in the lower, right-hand corner.