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    Field: gtin

    Invalid GTIN in Google Shopping Feed

    The GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) in your feed is incorrectly formatted or fails validation. GTINs must be valid UPC, EAN, JAN, or ISBN codes.

    Use our free Feed Validator to check for this and other errors automatically.

    What This Error Means

    GTINs are standardized product identifiers used worldwide. When your GTIN is invalid, Google cannot verify your product's authenticity, which may result in disapproval or limited visibility.

    Valid GTIN formats:

    • UPC-A: 12 digits (North America)
    • EAN-13: 13 digits (Europe, worldwide)
    • JAN: 8 or 13 digits (Japan)
    • ISBN-13: 13 digits (books)
    • ITF-14: 14 digits (case/carton level)

    Each GTIN includes a check digit calculated using a specific algorithm. If any digit is wrong, the checksum fails and the GTIN is invalid. Understanding the taxonomy of feed errors can help you classify and resolve these issues systematically.

    How to Fix It

    1. Verify the GTIN source — Get GTINs directly from manufacturers or official product packaging, not manual entry.
    2. Check for typos — A single digit error will cause checksum failure. Double-check all numbers.
    3. Use a GTIN validator — Online tools can verify if your GTIN has the correct format and checksum.
    4. Include leading zeros — 8-digit UPC-E codes should be converted to 12-digit UPC-A format with leading zeros.
    5. Remove if invalid — If you can't find the correct GTIN, it's better to omit it than submit an invalid one. You can use secondary feeds to supplement missing GTIN data without changing your main shop database.

    For bulk fixes, transformation rules can help clean up formatting issues across your entire catalog.

    Examples

    Incorrect
    <!-- Invalid checksum (last digit wrong): -->
<g:gtin>012345678901</g:gtin>

<!-- Wrong number of digits: -->
<g:gtin>12345</g:gtin>

<!-- Contains letters or special characters: -->
<g:gtin>UPC-012345678905</g:gtin>
    Correct
    <!-- Valid 12-digit UPC-A: -->
<g:gtin>012345678905</g:gtin>

<!-- Valid 13-digit EAN: -->
<g:gtin>4006381333931</g:gtin>

<!-- Valid ISBN-13 for books: -->
<g:gtin>9780141036144</g:gtin>

    Additional Tips

    • Barcode scanner apps can quickly capture accurate GTINs from packaging
    • Request GTINs from your suppliers in your product data imports
    • For custom or handmade products, use identifier_exists="no" instead
    • Don't create fake GTINs — Google cross-references with global databases
    • ISBN-10 codes should be converted to ISBN-13 format
    • Consider joining GS1 to get official GTINs for your own products
    • Consult our taxonomy of product feed errors to see how GTIN issues fit into the larger landscape of feed health

    Related Issues

    Missing GTINDuplicate Product IDsBrand Missing or InvalidMissing ID

    Validate Your Feed Now

    Use our free Google Shopping Feed Validator to check for this and other common errors before uploading to Merchant Center.

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