My own purchases seem to cover the world. However, it is my preference to know where the product is manufactured. A friend passed on some information I felt useful to know.

The first three numbers on a bar code on a product label, let you know which country manufactured the product. For more details on ISBN bar codes take a look at Publishing Architect’s Blueprint: Self-Publishing Fundamentals.

These seem to be the codes people most frequently are interested in knowing:

690-692 … then it is MADE IN CHINA
00 – 09 … USA & CANADA
30 – 37 FRANCE
40 – 44 GERMANY
471 … TAIWAN
49 … JAPAN
50 … UK

I’m also including a list from Wikipedia.

List of GS1 country codes.

Prefix 950 (GS1 Global Office) is used for special applications and bi-lateral agreements. Prefix 951 is used by EPCglobal. From the 960 range, prefixes 9600 to 9604 have been assigned to GS1 UK for GTIN-8 number allocations. Prefixes not listed above are used by GS1 Global Office for number allocations in countries where there is not yet a GS1 organisation and are reserved for future use. Prefixes used in non-GS1 member countries and reserved by GS1 for future use are:

  • 140 – 199
  • 381, 382, 384, 386 & 388
  • 390 – 399
  • 441 – 449
  • 472, 473 & 483
  • 510 – 519
  • 521 – 527
  • 532 – 534 & 536 – 538
  • 550 – 559
  • 561 – 568
  • 580 – 589
  • 591 – 593 & 595 – 598
  • 602 & 605 – 607
  • 610, 612, 614, 617, 620 & 623
  • 630 – 639
  • 650 – 689
  • 696 – 699
  • 710 – 728
  • 747 – 749
  • 751 – 753 & 756 – 758
  • 772, 774, 776 & 778
  • 781 – 783, 785, 787 & 788
  • 791 – 799
  • 851 – 857
  • 861 – 864 & 866
  • 881 – 883, 886, 887 & 889
  • 891, 892, 894, 895, 897 & 898
  • 920 – 929
  • 952 – 954, 956 & 957
  • 959, 961 – 976
  • 984 – 989
Self Publishing Fundamentals By Sherrie Wilkolaski

 

Maralyn
Author: Maralyn

Maralyn Dennis Hill, The Epicurean Explorer, is president emeritus of International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association, member of Society of American Travel Writers, and Society of Professional Journalists. She is Executive Editor of Luxe Beat Magazine and contributes to other publications. She also speaks and is a guest on many shows. The majority of Maralyn’s articles are now geared to the luxury market, spas, corporate retreats, business events, and culinary tourism, from simple to gourmet. Maralyn’s description of herself: I was born to travel and tell the tale. I’m energized by different cultures in every aspect of their lives, from food, wine, and destination, to how they conduct business. Travel represents a continual geography lesson.