Selling on major marketplaces like Amazon, Bol.com, and eBay is a huge opportunity for businesses. These platforms attract millions of visitors daily, offering sellers a direct path to a massive customer base. However, listing your products correctly is essential if you want to succeed — and one key requirement for most marketplaces is a valid EAN code (European Article Number).
Without a valid EAN code, your products may not appear in search results or could be rejected entirely by the marketplace. In this blog, you’ll discover why EAN codes are crucial for marketplace success and how they can help your products get discovered and sold more easily.
An EAN code is a 13-digit barcode used to identify products globally. Each product is assigned a unique code, allowing marketplaces and retailers to track, categorize, and manage products efficiently.
An EAN code consists of:
EAN codes are used worldwide and are required by most online marketplaces, including Amazon, Bol.com, and eBay. Without a valid EAN code, your product may not be listed correctly — or at all.
Marketplaces deal with millions of products from thousands of sellers. An EAN code ensures that each product is uniquely identified and properly categorized. This prevents confusion between similar products and ensures that your product is listed accurately.
Example: If two sellers offer the same product, the marketplace will group them under the same listing using the EAN code. This prevents duplicate listings and ensures consistent product information.
Marketplaces like Amazon and eBay use EAN codes to index products and improve search accuracy. A product with a valid EAN code is more likely to rank higher in search results.
Example: A product listed with a valid EAN code appears in more relevant search results, increasing the chances of being found and purchased.
EAN codes help marketplaces and sellers track inventory accurately. When a sale is made, the EAN code allows the system to update stock levels automatically.
Example: When a product with an EAN code is sold, the system can instantly deduct it from inventory and reflect the updated stock count — reducing the risk of overselling.
Marketplaces use EAN codes to verify product authenticity and prevent counterfeit products from being listed. If a product doesn’t match the EAN code provided, it can be flagged or removed.
Example: If a competitor tries to list a counterfeit version of your product, the marketplace can detect the mismatch and remove the listing.
EAN codes help marketplaces and sellers process returns more efficiently by matching the returned product with the original order.
Example: When a customer returns a product, the marketplace can instantly verify the product details using the EAN code, speeding up the refund process.
❌ Product Rejection by the Marketplace
Marketplaces often reject products without a valid EAN code. If you use an invalid or duplicate code, your product may be flagged or removed from search results.
❌ Poor Search Visibility
Products without an EAN code are harder to index correctly, resulting in lower search rankings. This reduces the chances that potential customers will discover your product.
❌ Return and Inventory Issues
Incorrect EAN codes can cause problems with order fulfillment and returns. If the product’s EAN code doesn’t match the marketplace’s records, the order may be processed incorrectly — leading to customer complaints and negative reviews.
You need a valid, globally recognized EAN code to avoid listing issues and ensure that your products are properly indexed on marketplaces.
✅ Use a trusted source for EAN codes to avoid duplicate or invalid codes.
✅ Ensure that each product variation has a unique EAN code.
✅ Keep a record of your EAN codes to simplify product and inventory management.
✔️ Double-check your EAN code before listing your product
✔️ Use a unique EAN code for every product variation
✔️ Avoid cheap or unverified codes from unreliable sources
✔️ Keep a record of your EAN codes for quick reference
EAN codes are essential for selling products on marketplaces like Amazon, Bol.com, and eBay. They help your products rank higher in search results, streamline inventory management, and prevent counterfeit listings. By using valid EAN codes, you increase your chances of success and avoid the common pitfalls of online selling.
➡️ Ready to list your products on major marketplaces? Get your valid EAN codes today at Eancodeshop.com and start selling without hassle!
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March 4, 2025
Introduction If you’re selling products online or managing inventory, you’ve probably encountered different types of barcodes — including EAN codes, UPC codes, ISBN codes, and QR codes. While they may look similar at first glance, each code serves a different purpose and is used in specific industries and systems. Understanding the difference between these barcodes […]
March 4, 2025
Introduction Selling on major marketplaces like Amazon, Bol.com, and eBay is a huge opportunity for businesses. These platforms attract millions of visitors daily, offering sellers a direct path to a massive customer base. However, listing your products correctly is essential if you want to succeed — and one key requirement for most marketplaces is a […]
