How to get a barcode

This guide walks you through the complete barcode (GTIN) journey on DST Barcode — from creating a company account to paying for a plan, receiving your DST company prefix, and generating GTINs yourself in the company portal.

Before you start

• A valid company email address you can access (used for login and verification).
• Your company legal/trading name and contact phone number.
• Payment ready: Flutterwave (card/bank online) or manual bank transfer with proof upload.
• Manufacturing country information for your prefix application (or multiple countries if you use a mixed prefix).

Barcode plans and QR code plans are separate products. This guide covers GTIN/barcode plans only. For QR codes, see How to get a QR code.

Step 1 — Create your company account

Go to Register (or use Get a Barcode in the site header). Complete the form:

• Company Name — your registered business name.
• Company Phone Number — contact line for your organisation.
• Full Name — the person who will administer the account.
• Company Email — this becomes your login username; must be unique.
• Password and Confirm Password — minimum 8 characters.

Complete the security check (Cloudflare Turnstile) if shown, then submit. You are logged in automatically and your company is created with status pending until your prefix is approved.

Step 2 — Verify your email

After registration you are taken to the email verification screen. Open the link sent to your inbox, or request a new link from that page.

Until your email is verified you cannot access subscription checkout. Once verified, you are redirected to Barcode Plans (https://www.dstbarcode.com/company/subscriptions) with onboarding tips.

Tip: Check spam/junk folders. If you still do not receive mail, use Contact us.

Step 3 — Choose a barcode plan

Sign in at Login if needed, then open Barcode Plans from the sidebar (or go to https://www.dstbarcode.com/company/subscriptions).

• Review available plans and optional Learn more pages for each plan.
• Public pricing is also listed at Barcode prices.
• Some plans have a fixed GTIN allowance; unspecified / pay-per-GTIN plans ask how many GTINs you need (typically 1–100) before checkout.

Select a plan and continue to checkout.

Step 4 — Pay for your plan

On the checkout page you will see a payment summary: plan name, number of GTINs included, and amount (NGN or USD equivalent depending on the plan).

Option A — Pay with Flutterwave (instant)

1. Click Pay with Flutterwave.
2. Complete payment on Flutterwave (card, bank, or other methods they offer).
3. You return to DST automatically; when payment is confirmed, your subscription activates.
4. You are redirected to Request new prefix with a success message.

Option B — Manual bank transfer

1. Click Manual bank transfer.
2. Transfer the exact amount shown to the DST bank account on screen (bank name, account number, account name).
3. Upload proof of payment (screenshot or receipt image) and optional notes.
4. Submit. Your payment stays pending until DST admin approves it.
5. After approval, your subscription activates and you can request a prefix. You may be prompted to request a prefix on your next login.

You can track billing under Billing & Invoices in the portal once you have an active or past payment.

Step 5 — Request your DST company prefix

With an active barcode subscription, open Request new prefix (https://www.dstbarcode.com/company/prefixes/create) from the sidebar under Identification.

Fill in the application:

• Prefix Type — e.g. standard GTIN, serialized GTIN, SSCC, GLN, mixed prefix, or custom (as offered in the dropdown).
• Choose Your Purchased Plan — select the plan you paid for (must show as purchased with remaining GTIN allowance).
• Manufacturing country — where products are made (required for most types).
• For mixed prefix, split your plan’s GTIN allowance across two or more countries; totals must match your plan limit.
• Notes — optional context for DST reviewers.

Submit the request. It appears in your DST Prefixes list with status pending until DST processes it.

Step 6 — DST review (admin steps)

This step is performed by DST administrators — you wait for notification/email updates:

1. Prefix approval — DST assigns your company prefix string and sets your company to active.
2. Range allocation — DST allocates a numeric GTIN range linked to your prefix and barcode type (e.g. GTIN-13, UPC, etc.).

Until both are done, Generate barcodes stays locked. You can still view prefix status under DST Prefixes and Allocated ranges when ranges exist.

Step 7 — Generate GTINs (barcodes)

When your company is active, you have an active subscription, and at least one allocated range:

1. Open Generate barcodes (https://www.dstbarcode.com/company/barcodes/create).
2. Check your GTIN quota banner (plan limit, used, remaining).
3. Select an allocation range from the dropdown.
4. Choose barcode type (EAN-13, UPC-A, ITF-14, SSCC, GLN, GS1-128, DataMatrix, etc., as enabled for your range).
5. Enter quantity (how many numbers to issue in this batch, within your remaining quota and range capacity).
6. Submit. GTINs are generated in the background; refresh GTIN registry to see them.

From the registry you can download batch ZIP/PDF exports and individual barcode images where available.

Step 8 — Use your barcodes

• Add GTINs to product packaging, labels, and master data.
• Link products in Product Registry if you maintain product records in DST.
• Verify public GTIN lookup via Verify a GTIN on the website.
• Use API keys (under API & Security) if your plan includes API access.

Company portal reference

Troubleshooting

• Cannot see checkout — verify your email first.
• Manual payment stuck — wait for admin approval or contact support with your proof reference.
• Cannot request prefix — ensure subscription is active and plan shows as purchased.
• Cannot generate barcodes — company must be active; prefix approved; range allocated; GTIN quota remaining.
• Quota exhausted — purchase a higher plan or contact DST to extend allowance.

Need help? Contact DST support.