Barcode 697 belongs to which country? How to identify Chinese products through barcodes

Barcode 697 belongs to China. This is a number range issued by GS1 International for goods registered in China, commonly found on many consumer and export products. Understanding this code helps you easily distinguish Chinese goods and avoid mistakenly purchasing counterfeit or low-quality items.

In this article, iCheckQR will analyze barcode 697 in detail and compare it with other common ranges such as 893 (Vietnam), 490 (Japan), or 000–019 (USA) so that you can recognize them more quickly.

1. Barcode 697 belongs to which country?

Barcode 697 belongs to China, managed by GS1 China (a member organization of GS1 International).

Explanation of the code issuance mechanism

• Barcodes on goods belong to the GS1 system – the International Barcode Organization headquartered in Brussels (Belgium).

• GS1 allocates initial number ranges to each country, and then the GS1 organization in that country issues them to businesses.

• When a business registers a code in China, its products will carry prefixes within the range of 690–699.

Besides 697, Chinese goods may also carry codes such as 690, 691, 692… 699. Among them, 697 is one of the most commonly used for both domestic consumer goods and exports.

Therefore, as long as you see 697 in the first three digits of a barcode, you can confirm that the product is registered in China.

2. The meaning of Chinese barcodes (697)

Many people mistakenly think barcodes reflect product quality. In fact, they do not.

• Barcode 697 only indicates the country where the code is registered (here, China).

• It does not reflect product quality. Chinese products include all types: from high-end goods, official export products to cheap, low-quality ones.

Note: Some companies may register codes in China but manufacture in another country. Therefore, if you want to know the exact place of production, you need to check further on the packaging or scan the code with an application.

3. How to distinguish Chinese goods through barcodes

Method 1: Check the first three digits

This is the fastest and most intuitive method. If a product code starts with 697xxxxxx… then it is from China.

Example: a soft drink bottle with barcode 6971234567890 is definitely registered in China.

Method 2: Use the formula to verify the last digit

Each barcode has a final digit (check digit) to ensure accuracy.

Formula: (Sum of digits in odd positions × 3) + (Sum of digits in even positions) + check digit = multiple of 10.

Example illustration: Suppose the barcode is 6971234567895.

• Add digits in odd positions (excluding the last digit): 6 + 7 + 2 + 4 + 6 + 8 = 33.

• Multiply by 3 = 99.

• Add the sum of digits in even positions: 9 + 1 + 3 + 5 + 7 = 25 → 99 + 25 = 124.

• Add the last digit (5) = 129.

• If divisible by 10, it is valid; if not, the barcode may be counterfeit.

Method 3: Use popular barcode scanning applications

These apps help quickly check product information:

• iCheck Scan (Vietnam, extensive database).

• Barcode Scanner (Android).

• RedLaser (iOS).

• Google Lens (versatile, can recognize images and scan codes).

• Verified by GS1

Advantages: fast, easy to use, may also provide manufacturer details and registration date.

Method 4: Check barcode 697 with Chinese applications

For domestic Chinese goods, some local apps have more complete databases such as WeChat, Weibo, Taobao, Tmall… Thanks to this, users can trace detailed product information sold in the Chinese market.

4. Comparison with some other common barcodes

To distinguish Chinese goods from those of other countries, you only need to remember the initial ranges allocated by GS1 International:

• Vietnam barcode – 893: All products registered in Vietnam start with 893. Example: Hảo Hảo noodles, Number One drink.

• USA barcode – 000–019, 030–039: The US has multiple prefixes, most common are 000–019 and 030–039. Example: Coca-Cola may have code 003xxxxxxx or 049xxxxxxx.

• Japan barcode – 450–459, 490–499: Often seen as 490xxxxxxx on products such as Kao dishwashing liquid or Shiseido cosmetics.

• China barcode – 690–699 (commonly 697): Products may start from 690 to 699. Example: household goods on Taobao often carry 697xxxxxxx.

Conclusion

Through analysis, it can be confirmed that barcode 697 belongs to China, within the 690–699 range managed by GS1 China. Identifying Chinese barcodes such as 697, 6974, or other prefixes helps consumers easily distinguish product origins.

However, barcodes only show the country of registration, not product quality. Therefore, in addition to checking which country barcode 697 belongs to, you should also scan it with reputable applications and look for anti-counterfeit stamps to verify authenticity more accurately. This will help you shop with greater confidence and protect your rights.