A simple step-by-step guide on how to create barcode numbers for your variable-weight sales units and case units, as well as how to register the product in GS1Trade Sync.

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‍In brief

‍‍Sales unit: Use an RCN-13 number, expressed in an EAN-13 barcode.

‍Case unit: Use a GTIN-14 starting with 9. This is typically expressed in a GS1-128 barcode.

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1. Create the barcode for the variable-weight sales unit

When a product varies in weight from unit to unit, the weight can be encoded directly into the barcode. For this, you use an RCN-13 number (Restricted Circulation Number) – also known as a variable-weight barcode number.

To generate RCN-13 numbers, you must first obtain a specific variable-weight prefix from GS1 Denmark. Order the prefix via our manual order form.

Please specify in your order how many products you need variable-weight barcodes for. One prefix allows you to create variable-weight barcodes for 10 products.

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Please note:

• A variable-weight prefix issued by GS1 Denmark can start with the numbers 26, 27, and 28, and their structure varies.‍
• ‍Danish variable-weight RCN-13 numbers can only be used in the Danish market. If the product is to be sold in another country, you must contact the GS1 organization in that specific country to obtain a variable-weight prefix for that market.

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This is how an RCN-13 number starting with 27 is structured

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Click here to calculate your check digit.

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Examples of RCN-13 numbers

Ground beef - 225 g

271234 · 0 · 00225 · 2
Company prefix · Product · Weight · Check digit

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Ribeye - 560 g

271234 · 1 · 00560 · 3
Company prefix · Product · Weight · Check digit

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Beef tenderloin - 1.4 kg

271234 · 2 · 01400 · 0
Company prefix · Product · Weight · Check digit

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Generate the EAN-13 barcode

Once you have generated the RCN-13 number, it must be expressed as an EAN-13 barcode.

When scanned at the point of sale (POS), the price is calculated based on the price per kilo registered in the POS system and the weight encoded in the barcode.

The EAN-13 barcode is typically generated at the same time the product is weighed. This can be done, for example, on a scale with a built-in label printer, where the variable-weight prefix and product reference number are registered.

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2. Create a GTIN for the case unit

A case unit containing variable-weight products must not have an RCN-13 number, as the case is not intended to be scanned at checkout (POS).

The shipping unit must instead have a GTIN-14, where the first digit is 9.

Use your standard GS1 company prefix to create the number:

1. Take the next available GTIN-13 number.
2. Place a 9 in front of the number.
3. Calculate a new check digit.

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See examples below:

Create the GS1-128 barcode

Once you have created the GTIN-14 for the shipping unit, the number must be expressed in a GS1-128 barcode.

The barcode will typically contain:

AI (01): GTIN
AI (10): Batch/lot number
AI (310n): Net weight in kg, indicated by six digits. The fourth digit (n) indicates the number of decimal places.

Example:
(3100) 000035 = 35 kg
(3103) 000035 = 0.035 kg

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3. Create the variable-weight product in GS1Trade Sync

When creating the variable-weight sales unit in GS1Trade Sync, do not enter the specific RCN-13 number from one particular package. The weight varies from package to package.

Instead, use the company prefix and the product reference number, and replace the five digits for weight with 00000. Then, calculate a new check digit.

The procedure is therefore:

1. Keep the company prefix and the product reference number, but replace the five digits for weight with 00000‍
2. Calculate a new check digit‍
3. Add 0 in front of the RCN-13 numberwhen entering it into GS1Trade Sync

The table below shows the difference between the number in the barcode and the number to be used in GS1Trade Sync.

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4. Fill in the information in GS1Trade Sync

When creating the product:

1. Select Yes in field 3717 – Variable quantity or price product.
2. Enter the product's average weight and average dimensions under Dimensions.
3. Then fill in the remaining relevant product data as usual.

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