An EAN (European Article Number) is a product identifier used internationally to identify retail products. It serves a similar purpose to a UPC but is more commonly used outside North America.
Many products sold globally use EANs instead of UPCs.
🌍 What Does an EAN Look Like?
An EAN typically contains:
A barcode
A 13-digit number (EAN-13)
EANs are recognized by retailers and marketplaces worldwide.
🔍 How Amazon Uses EANs
Amazon uses EANs to:
Identify products in international marketplaces
Match products to catalog listings
Verify product information
Support global inventory management
📦 When Is an EAN Used?
EANs are commonly used for:
International retail products
Products sold in Europe
Global product distribution
Cross-border e-commerce
UPC vs EAN
UPC | EAN |
Typically 12 digits | Typically 13 digits |
Common in North America | Common internationally |
Used by many U.S. retailers | Used globally |
✅ Summary
EANs are international product identifiers that help Amazon and retailers identify products, manage inventory, and support global commerce.