Avoid rejected shipments and chargebacks. Learn how you can create GS1-compliant shipping labels instantly with Orderful’s free GS1 barcode generator.
Maintaining GS1 compliance is essential for every supplier that ships to major retailers. Labels that don’t meet GS1 standards can cause shipment delays, chargebacks, and frustrated trading partners.
With Orderful’s free GS1-compliant label generator at labels.orderful.com, you can instantly create UCC-128, SSCC-18, and GS1-128 shipping labels that meet global standards ready for use with leading retailers like Walmart, Target, Amazon, and Costco.
Why GS1 Compliance Matters
A GS1-compliant label ensures every shipment can be accurately identified, tracked, and scanned across the supply chain. When a barcode doesn’t meet GS1 formatting or data structure rules, it can fail at receiving, trigger chargebacks, or slow down distribution.
Using standardized GS1 labels helps your business:
Meet retailer requirements for barcode structure and content.
Simplify the receiving process so goods are scanned and routed quickly.
Avoid costly relabeling and manual corrections that delay fulfillment.
Goal | Benefit of GS1-Compliant Labels |
Accuracy | Encodes correct identifiers and check digits for scanning. |
Efficiency | Speeds up warehouse receiving and cross-docking. |
Compliance | Meets GS1 and retailer-specific labeling standards. |
For more on global GS1 standards, visit the GS1 US official site.
What Is a GS1 Barcode?
A GS1 barcode follows an international system for identifying products, shipments, and logistic units. Managed by GS1 US and regional GS1 organizations worldwide, these standards ensure every trade item can be scanned anywhere in the supply chain.
In shipping and logistics, the most common GS1 barcode formats include:
GS1-128 (formerly UCC-128): Encodes purchase order numbers, production dates, and serial numbers for traceability.
UCC-128 label: Typically used at the carton level for individual box scanning.
SSCC-18 label: Used for pallets and logistic units to provide a unique serial reference across shipments.
Introducing Orderful’s Free GS1 Label Generator
Suppliers don’t have time to gamble on labels that might not scan. That’s why Orderful built our free GS1 label generator; your company can instantly create GS1-128, UCC-128, and SSCC-18 labels that meet certified GS1 standards.
Visit labels.orderful.com to:
Select your label type: Choose GS1-128, UCC-128, or SSCC-18.
Enter your shipment details: Input identifiers such as SSCC or PO number.
Download and print: Instantly generate a GS1-compliant PDF, ready to apply.
Each label follows GS1 standards automatically, ensuring your shipments are scan-ready when they reach the retailer.
Benefits of Using Orderful’s GS1-Compliant Generator
Orderful’s label generator isn’t just about creating labels quickly — it’s about ensuring your business can stay compliant and scale without setbacks. By standardizing product identification across shipments, the generator removes guesswork and reduces costly errors.
Here are some of the key benefits:
Compliance assured: Labels include every GS1-required element, from the start character and extension digit to the correct spacing and data structure. This means retailers and trading partners can scan the label every time without confusion.
Speed and accuracy: Instead of manually formatting UPC barcodes or adjusting spaces in a shipping label template, you can generate retailer-accepted labels instantly.
Flexibility for your business: Whether you’re shipping individual cartons or setting up bulk packaging on pallets, the generator adapts to your shipment type.
Scalability: As your shipments grow, the generator supports higher volumes and ensures every label contains the information designed for retailer compliance and supply chain traceability.
Confidence in your own data: By producing certified GS1-compliant labels, you know the data encoded in your barcodes reflects exactly what your trading partners need.
Stay Compliant With Confidence
Every shipment depends on reliable labeling. Orderful’s free GS1 label generator lets you create UCC-128 and SSCC-18 labels instantly—without worrying about formatting errors or compliance risks.
Generate your GS1-compliant labels now at labels.orderful.com and keep your supply chain running smoothly from dock to delivery.
FAQs About GS1 Labels
What is a GS1 barcode?
A GS1 barcode is a standardized label format developed by GS1 that encodes product or shipment data for global identification. It helps retailers, suppliers, and logistics providers track items accurately through every stage of the supply chain.
What’s the difference between UCC-128 and SSCC-18 labels?
UCC-128 and SSCC-18 refer to the same type of shipping label used to identify logistics units. The term UCC-128 comes from the legacy Uniform Code Council standard, while SSCC-18 refers to the modern GS1 identifier that uses an 18-digit Serial Shipping Container Code.
Do I need a certified GS1-compliant label?
Yes. Most major retailers require suppliers to use GS1-compliant labels to ensure consistency and traceability across the supply chain. Certified GS1-128 or SSCC-18 labels meet those global data and format standards, helping you avoid chargebacks or shipment delays.
Can I use a free GS1 barcode generator?
Yes, but free barcode tools may not always meet GS1 compliance or retailer-specific layout requirements. A verified GS1 label generator, such as Orderful’s GS1 Label Creator, ensures that barcodes are properly formatted and scannable according to each retailer’s specifications.
Which retailers require GS1-128 shipping labels?
Most large retailers—including Walmart, Target, Home Depot, Amazon, and Costco—require GS1-128 or SSCC-18 labels for all inbound shipments. Using compliant labels ensures your products move smoothly through their supply chain systems without compliance issues.
