How to read a 13-digit barcode to understand the product's origin.

The 13-digit barcode, standardized according to EAN 13 and mandated by the government, plays a crucial role in identifying product information in today's market. Understanding these basic principles helps you determine the origin of goods, the country of manufacture, and verify whether a product was actually produced by that particular company. Nam Viet Group will guide you on how to read 13-digit barcodes to decode product origin.

What is a 13-digit barcode?

A 13-digit barcode, commonly known as a barcode, is a series of black and white lines arranged according to a pre-agreed standard, containing important product information such as country of origin, manufacturer, product code, and many other details. The EAN13 barcode is an international standard used for managing goods, payments, and product information retrieval.

Despite their widespread use, many Vietnamese consumers still don't know how to read these barcodes correctly. Understanding and reading barcodes offers many benefits to consumers, including:

Benefits for consumers:

– Determining origin: The 13-digit barcode allows consumers to look up product information, knowing the country of origin, and thus choosing products that suit their personal and family needs and preferences. – Identifying counterfeit
goods: Knowing how to read barcodes helps detect counterfeit goods, ensuring quality and protecting one's own rights and those of the community.
– Accessing product information: Barcodes provide details about ingredients, uses, expiration dates, and usage instructions, ensuring safe and effective use.
– Comparing prices: Some mobile applications allow scanning barcodes to compare prices from different suppliers, helping to save money when shopping.

Benefits for businesses:

– Efficient inventory management: Barcodes support businesses in managing inventory from incoming to outgoing and sales. This process becomes automated, minimizing errors and saving time and costs. – Counterfeiting prevention:
Using barcodes along with other protective measures helps businesses prevent counterfeiting, protecting their brand and reputation.
– Enhanced customer experience: Providing detailed information through barcodes enhances the customer experience, building trust and satisfaction with the company's products and services.

The EAN-13 barcode convention, consisting of 13 digits, is the most common type of barcode today. Below is a detailed guide on how to read and understand EAN-13 barcodes:

Product barcodes are divided into four basic groups:
– The first group consists of the first three digits, representing the country or territory code (for example, 893 is the code for Vietnam).
– The second group consists of the next four digits, reflecting the registered business code.
– The third group consists of the following five digits, representing the business's product code.
– The final group is a check digit.

How to read EAN-13 barcodes

Method 1: Can be done manually using the naked eye.

It helps identify basic information about the origin and source of a product. This can help you avoid buying low-quality or substandard goods.

In the Vietnamese market, most products comply with the EAN barcode standard of the International Article Numbering Organization, with the following structure:
– The country code is the first three digits provided by the organization.
– The company code has four, five, or six digits and is issued by the national article numbering organization.
– The item code may contain five, four, or three digits depending on the company code. Each item will have a unique code to avoid confusion with other products.
– The check digit, the last digit, is calculated based on the preceding 12 digits.

For example, 8936020 57552 0 and how to read a 13-digit barcode for a specific product. Based on the barcode above, we can determine:

893 is the country code,
6020 is the company code
, 57552 is the product code, and
0 is the check digit.
To check or learn how to read a 13-digit barcode, do the following:

Step 1: Calculate the sum of the odd-numbered numbers from left to right (note: do not add the check digit): 2+5+5+2+6+9 = 29 (1)
Step 2: Multiply (1) by 3: 29×3 = 87 (2)
Step 3: Add the sum of the even-numbered numbers from left to right: 5+7+0+0+3+8 = 23 (3)
Step 4: Add (2) with (3): 87+23 = 110 (4)
We take (4) and divide by 10

If it is divisible by 10, the check digit is 0.
If it is not divisible by 10, we take the complement (10 – remainder) as the check digit.
In this barcode, we see that 110 is divisible by 10 >> check digit = 0, which matches the check digit written on the product >> This proves that this is a genuine product, has a registered barcode, and has a clear origin.

If, after calculating, you get a different check digit than the code printed on the product, the product may be counterfeit. Therefore, please double-check the information carefully before purchasing this product.

Method 2: Use a 13-digit barcode reader app on your phone.

Currently, using apps to check and read 13-digit barcodes on products is becoming increasingly common. With just a smartphone and an internet connection, you can check many different types of barcodes without having to do any calculations yourself. These apps are easily downloaded from the Google Play Store or the App Store by searching for the keyword "Check barcode." There are many options available, with detailed instructions on how to read 13-digit barcodes.

Some popular and widely used applications include iCheck, Barcode Viet, Redlaser, QR Barcode Scanner by TeaCapps, Scan to Spreadsheet, Barcode Express Pro, and QR Code Scanner. Additionally, there are other QR code reading apps that you can easily find on Google Play or the App Store. Before downloading, consider user reviews and ratings to choose the most suitable app that effectively reads 13-digit barcodes.

Method 3: Read the product's 13-digit barcode using Google.

Google Chrome now integrates product barcode scanning functionality. You can access it via 3D Touch on the Chrome icon or by searching for the keyword "QR." Although the icon is primarily for QR codes, Chrome can still scan traditional barcodes as usual. With Chrome, you have a convenient barcode scanning tool without needing to download any additional apps. This feature is currently under development for iPhone.

Overall, knowing how to read 13-digit barcodes offers many benefits to both consumers and businesses. Consumers should equip themselves with barcode knowledge to protect their rights, contribute to building a market free from counterfeit and substandard goods, and enhance safety and become smart consumers.