[New] Barcode Prefixes of Countries Around the World – Quick and Accurate Lookup

Products from many countries are increasingly common in the market, making the need to identify the origin of goods more important than ever. One of the fastest and most accurate ways to check is through barcodes.

Each set of digits in a barcode carries its own meaning, helping to identify the country of registration, the manufacturer, and the product type. By understanding the latest country barcode table, consumers can quickly look up product origins, avoid confusion, and choose reliable goods.

1. General Introduction to Country Barcodes

Country barcodes are a series of symbols and numbers printed on product packaging, used to prove origin, place of registration, and to differentiate each type of product. Every product has a unique barcode.

A barcode usually has the structure: DDDMMMMMMXXXC

Where:

• DDD: country code

• MMMMMM: registered company code

• XXX: product serial number (000–999)

• C: check digit, calculated from the previous 12 digits

In addition to numbers, barcodes are represented by black and white parallel stripes. When scanned with a device, product information can be read instantly.

Currently, there are two common types of barcodes:

• EAN: used worldwide, with 12 or 13 digits

• UPC: used mainly in the US and Canada, with 12 digits, usually printed on small products

Each barcode contains information about origin and company, but to fully understand, one needs to know how to read and decode the number sequence.

2. The Complete and Latest Country Barcode Table

Below is the GS1 barcode prefix list by country/region, helping you quickly check the first 3 digits to know where the product is registered. By comparing, you can immediately identify the origin of the product.

(Note: this indicates the GS1 registration country, not necessarily the actual place of manufacture.)

Vietnam Barcode

Products with barcodes starting with 893 are registered in Vietnam. This is a clear indicator that helps consumers easily recognize and prioritize Vietnamese goods when shopping.

USA Barcode

Goods originating from the United States have several different prefixes, the most common ranging from 000 – 139. In addition, certain ranges are specifically used for coupons or internal purposes.

South Korea Barcode

Prefix 880 is the distinctive sign of Korean products. Cosmetics, food, and household items exported from South Korea all carry this number sequence.

Thailand Barcode

Products from Thailand typically use barcodes beginning with 885. Thanks to this, consumers can quickly identify Thai goods, from spices and food to various other consumer products.

China Barcode

Products with barcodes ranging from 690 – 699 are usually of Chinese origin. This is also one of the most widely used barcode ranges in the international market.

Taiwan Barcode

Prefix 471 is the distinctive barcode for goods from Taiwan. When you see this number sequence, you can identify that the product is registered by a Taiwanese company.

Germany Barcode

German products typically have barcodes in the range of 400 – 440. This serves as an identifier for goods from a country renowned worldwide for its exceptional quality and outstanding durability.

Japan Barcode

Japanese goods carry barcodes starting with 490 – 499. This prefix helps consumers easily distinguish and select authentic products from Japan in the global market.

France Barcode

Products from France use barcode ranges between 300 – 379. By simply looking at the first three digits, consumers can identify their origin as France.

Canada Barcode

Goods from Canada are identified by barcodes starting with 754 or 755. This unique feature helps distinguish products registered in the country.

Singapore Barcode

Products originating from Singapore carry the prefix 888, allowing consumers to quickly identify goods from the Lion City.

Indonesia Barcode

Goods originating from Indonesia usually have barcodes starting with 899. This prefix is characteristic and is used for most of the country’s food products, consumer goods, and exports.

3. How to Read and Quickly Look Up Country Barcodes

Each barcode usually has the first three digits representing the country or territory of registration. By simply looking at these three digits and comparing them with the country barcode table (for example: 893 = Vietnam, 490–499 = Japan, 690–699 = China, …), you can quickly identify the country where the product was registered.

Illustrative examples:

• A milk carton with a barcode starting with 893 indicates that the code was registered in Vietnam. However, the product may have been sent to Thailand for processing or repackaging before being exported to Europe.

• A Japanese cosmetic brand with a barcode prefix 490 (Japan) may, in fact, be manufactured in Vietnam or China under the company’s order.

4. Important Notes When Looking Up Country Barcodes

Not every barcode indicates the country of registration. Some number ranges are designated for special purposes unrelated to countries, so you should avoid confusion when checking. For example:

• 020 – 029: Restricted distribution, usually for internal use

• 050 – 059: Internal distribution, coupon codes, gift cards

• 977: Codes for magazines and periodicals

• 978 – 979: Codes for books under the ISBN (International Standard Book Number) system

Some products may use fake codes or codes issued by intermediaries, which makes the origin information inaccurate. For instance, counterfeit goods may print the code 893 (Vietnam) to gain consumer trust, but in reality, they are not registered with GS1.

A barcode only reflects the place where the company is registered; it does not guarantee the actual place of final production. Therefore, it is important to combine barcode information with the “Made in…” label or an official authenticity seal for verification.

The last digit of a barcode is usually a check digit (checksum), calculated from the preceding numbers according to specific rules. This helps determine whether the code is valid, and can detect printing errors or fake codes. However, this is an advanced verification method and not mandatory for quick checks.

5. Frequently Asked Questions about Country Barcodes

Conclusion

In summary, country barcodes are a useful tool for consumers to quickly identify the origin of products. Understanding and using the barcode prefix table helps distinguish genuine goods from counterfeits, providing peace of mind when shopping.

However, barcodes should be combined with “Made in…” labels, anti-counterfeit seals, and reputable distribution channels to ensure authentic and high-quality purchases.

With this information from iCheckQR, you can easily look up country barcodes and shop smarter and safer every day.