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Welcome to GS1 US Data Hub Help Center

Did you license a GS1 US GTIN and want to create a barcode? Learn how to work with this GTIN GS1 US Data Hub.

Packaging Level Definitions (Hierarchy)

Here is a brief summary of the Packaging Level options available in GS1 US Data Hub. It's based on a hierarchy, so you should enter the "Each" unit first, and then "Inner Pack," and so on, if you need to add these units as "children" into the higher level "parent" units. To view a product's relationships, click a product detail record from My Products, then scroll down to view the "Product Hierarchy" relationships

For more details, watch the Packaging Level module in the GS1 US University Learning Management System (sign in is required). More details are also available in the Product Create Manage User Guide.

Each

The lowest level of the item hierarchy intended or labeled for individual resale. Generally this is the consumer unit sold at check out or online. This item would be assigned a GTIN-12 (U.P.C.).

Example: a jar of jam
Inner PackIntermediate package of multiples of the same trade item or a predefined assortment of trade items (representing a single GTIN). When you select Inner Pack, the box on the screen is UNCHECKED for “Purchasable by Consumer?” - meaning, this inner pack is NOT being sold to consumers. Optionally, you can check this box if this inner pack is being sold to consumers.

Example: four jars of jam for shipping/receiving only.
CaseA standard shipping unit that contains “eaches” (packaged either individually or grouped as an inner pack). All of the items in a case must have the same GTIN.

Example: a case containing 8 jars of strawberry jam.
Mixed CaseContains more than one type of “each,” and must contain more than one GTIN. The case can contain eaches or inner packs.

Example: a case that holds 4 jars of strawberry jam and 4 jars of blueberry jam.
PalletA shipping unit that contains either cases, inner packs, or eaches. It must contain one GTIN regardless of the number of items in the grouping.

Example: a pallet containing 18 cases of strawberry jam.
Mixed PalletA shipping unit that can contain any combination of cases, inner packs, and/or eaches and must contain more than one GTIN.

Example: a pallet containing 9 cases of strawberry jam and 9 cases of blueberry jam.
Display ShipperA shipping unit that is a self-contained display. It can contain a single type of “each” or multiple types of eaches.

Example: a promotional display containing both strawberry jam and blueberry jam.
Case as EachDesigned for goods that are shipped as a case, but the contents of the case are NEVER offered for sale on their own. This is used by industries such as foodservice that need to designate the case as its lowest orderable unit. The contents inside are neither assigned GTINs, nor are they sold at checkout or online.

Example: a 25 lb. pack of bulk mushrooms.