How to Create Barcode Labels for Amazon’s Transparency Codes

What are Amazon’s Transparency Codes?

Amazon’s Transparency codes system was recently implemented to address the problems with counterfeit products on Amazon’s platform. It helps brand owners reduce counterfeits while providing consumers with the ability to verify the authenticity of the products they purchase.

Each Transparency code is a unique, alphanumeric non-sequential code. Transparency is the only entity that owns and has access to the code generation protocol. Additionally, Transparency keeps a record of every code generated along with the product for which it was generated and uses the information to authenticate products.

After a brand starts applying unique Transparency codes for a product, Amazon will begin to look for and scan these codes within its FCs to ensure that only authentic products are shipped out to customers.

Sellers fulfilling their own orders (FBM: Fulfilled By Merchant) are required to provide a Transparency code for every unit of Transparency-enabled products they fulfill in order for Amazon to verify that only authentic units are shipped to customers.

How does it Work?

Customers are able to use the Amazon shopping app or the Transparency app for their iOS or Android phone to scan Transparency codes on products. Upon scanning, the app will show a green check mark if the code is valid and a red X mark otherwise.

Brands can enroll some or all of their products in the Transparency Program. For every product enrolled, brands are required to apply unique Transparency barcodes on every unit manufactured for that product. Conventional barcodes indicate only a product’s GTIN (or UPC), while a Transparency label with a 2D Data Matrix barcode contains:

• A unique, alphanumeric non-sequential code supplied by Amazon
• Your product ID which can be the product’s UPS, EAN, SKU, or FNSKU

Can also detailed product information including:

• Manufacturing date
• Manufacturing place
• Expiry date
• Ingredients or materials used

How to Create Labels?

Seagull Scientific BarTender® has pre-built templates designed to support Amazon Transparency-compliant labels, and connect to your Amazon-provided CSV file. You will need at least the Starter Edition of BarTender to use this in production. See all versions here: BarTender® Label Software Editions

These templates include all of the following required elements in the correct format, layout, and dimensions:

• Transparency logo
• Transparency call to action and description
• Data Matrix ECC 200 symbol
• Printed Product ID

You must first request your Transparency identifier codes from Amazon. These codes are delivered in a CSV file and are listed in the “Public_Code” column. After you have obtained your identifier codes from Amazon, all you have to do is follow these 3 easy steps:.

1. Download one of the BarTender templates available from their website
2. Connect the template to the CSV file you received from Amazon
3. Print your Transparency Labels