GS1 Application Identifier List

Q: Which AIs are most commonly used on product packaging?

The core set is AI 01 GTIN, AI 10 batch or lot, AI 17 expiration date, AI 21 serial number, and AI 15 best before date.

Q: Do I need a GS1 Company Prefix to use these AIs?

You need a GS1 Company Prefix to generate a valid GTIN and other GS1-assigned identifiers for retail sale.

A complete, verified list of GS1 Application Identifiers (AIs) for GS1 Digital Link QR codes and GS1-128 barcodes, organized by category with formats, decimal rules, and encoding examples.

TL;DR

A GS1 Application Identifier (AI) is a 2 to 4 digit numeric prefix that tells a scanner exactly what the data after it means, such as a batch number, expiration date, or net weight.
AIs are what let a single GS1 Digital Link QR code carry a GTIN, batch, serial number, and expiry date all in one scan, readable by both retail checkout scanners and consumer phones.
This list is cross-checked against GS1’s official numeric AI register and the GS1 Digital Link URI Syntax standard, not just copied from a single source (a common source of errors in AI lists you’ll find online).
Every AI here includes its format code, maximum data length, and a worked encoding example so you can build a Digital Link URI without guessing.
Getting an AI wrong on printed packaging is expensive: it cannot be edited after the barcode is printed, so double-check every value against this list before you send anything to print.
Sunrise 2027 is the deadline for major retailers to accept 2D barcodes at checkout, and it’s built entirely on correct AI usage inside GS1 Digital Link. Read our GS1 Sunrise 2027 packaging guide for the full compliance picture.
Static QR codes can’t be corrected after printing. If any AI value needs to change later, you need a dynamic QR code instead, which lets you update the destination without reprinting.
Want to skip the manual encoding and build a branded, trackable Digital Link QR code instead? Start a free 14-day trial with OpenQR.

Table of Contents

What Is a GS1 Application Identifier?
Trade Item & Logistics Unit Identification
Batch, Serial & Product Variants
Dates
Measurements (Weight, Length, Width, Depth, Area, Volume)
Financial & Pricing
Order & Reference Data
Country & Location Information
Shipping & Return Address Details
Delivery, Service & Temperature Control
Product & Industry Specific
Asset & Component Tracking
Processor & Certification Information
Healthcare Information
Identification & Technical Data
Personal Data
Marketing & Coupons
Internal Use
FAQ

1. What Is a GS1 Application Identifier?

A GS1 Application Identifier is a numeric prefix, 2 to 4 digits long, placed in front of a data value inside a barcode or QR code. It tells the scanning system exactly what that value represents before it even reads it. Without an AI, a barcode is just a string of digits with no meaning attached. With it, a scanner instantly knows whether it’s looking at a batch number, a best-before date, or a net weight in kilograms.

AIs are the backbone of every GS1-128 barcode and every GS1 Digital Link QR code. In a Digital Link URI, AIs appear as path segments or query parameters after the core identifier (usually a GTIN), for example: https://brand.com/01/09506000134352?10=BATCH123&17=261231. Here, 10 is the AI for batch/lot number and 17 is the AI for expiration date.

Why accuracy matters: Once a GS1 Digital Link QR code is printed on packaging, the encoded AIs cannot be corrected. If AI 15 (best before date) is mistakenly used where AI 17 (expiration date) belongs, that error ships with every unit until the print run is gone. Always verify the AI against an authoritative source, not just the first list that shows up in search.

2. Trade Item & Logistics Unit Identification

AI	Description	Format
00	Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC)	18-digit code
01	Global Trade Item Number (GTIN)	14-digit code
02	GTIN of contained trade items	14-digit code
30	Variable count of items	up to 8 digits
37	Count of trade items in a logistics unit	up to 8 digits

3. Batch, Serial & Product Variants

AI	Description	Max input value
10	Batch or lot number	up to 20 characters
20	Internal product variant	2 digits
21	Serial number	up to 20 characters
22	Consumer product variant	up to 20 characters
240	Additional item identification	up to 30 characters
241	Customer part number	up to 30 characters
242	Made-to-order variation number	up to 6 digits
243	Packaging component number	up to 20 characters
250	Secondary serial number	up to 30 characters
251	Reference to source entity	up to 30 characters
253	Global Document Type Identifier (GDTI)	13-digit code + up to 17 characters
254	GLN extension component	up to 20 characters
255	Global Coupon Number (GCN)	13-digit code + up to 12 characters

4. Dates

Important: Date AIs only accept numeric data in YYMMDD format (or longer for time-inclusive AIs). If only year and month apply, pad the day with two zeros.

Example: Best before date 31 Dec 2026 = AI 15: 261231
Example: Harvest range 22 June to 1 July 2025 = AI 7007: 250622250701

AI	Description	Format
11	Production date	YYMMDD
12	Due date for payment	YYMMDD
13	Packaging date	YYMMDD
15	Best before date	YYMMDD
16	Sell by date	YYMMDD
17	Expiration date	YYMMDD
7003	Expiration date and time	YYMMDDhhmm
7006	First freeze date	YYMMDD
7007	Harvest date (range)	YYMMDD[YYMMDD]
7011	Test by date	YYMMDD[hhmm]
8008	Date and time of production	YYMMDDhh[mm[ss]]
7250	Date of birth	YYMMDD
7251	Date and time of birth	YYYYMMDDhhmm
4324	Estimated time of arrival, not before	YYMMDDhhmm
4325	Estimated time of arrival, not after	YYMMDDhhmm
4326	Release date	YYMMDD

5. Measurements

Important: Measurement AIs always use a fixed 6-digit numeric field, zero-padded. The last digit of the 4-digit AI sets the decimal position.

Example: AI 3100 (0 decimals) = 000152 → 152 kg
Example: AI 3102 (2 decimals) = 000152 → 1.52 kg
“vmti” = variable measure trade item (the product itself is measured, not the logistics unit).

Weight

AI family	Description	Sample (2-decimal AI) = Value
3100-3105	Net weight, kilograms (vmti)	3102: 000152 = 1.52 kg
3200-3205	Net weight, pounds (vmti)	3202: 000152 = 1.52 lb
3300-3305	Logistic weight, kilograms	3302: 000152 = 1.52 kg gross
3400-3405	Logistic weight, pounds	3402: 000152 = 1.52 lb gross
3560-3565	Net weight, troy ounces (vmti)	3562: 000152 = 1.52 t oz
3570-3575	Net weight/volume, ounces (vmti)	3572: 000152 = 1.52 oz
3370-3375	Kilograms per square metre	3372: 000152 = 1.52 kg/m²

Length

AI family	Description	Sample (2-decimal AI) = Value
3110-3115	Length / first dimension, metres (vmti)	3112: 000212 = 2.12 m
3210-3215	Length / first dimension, inches (vmti)	3212: 000212 = 2.12 in
3220-3225	Length / first dimension, feet (vmti)	3222: 000212 = 2.12 ft
3230-3235	Length / first dimension, yards (vmti)	3232: 000212 = 2.12 yd
3310-3315	Logistic length, metres	3312: 000212 = 2.12 m
3410-3415	Logistic length, inches	3412: 000212 = 2.12 in
3420-3425	Logistic length, feet	3422: 000212 = 2.12 ft
3430-3435	Logistic length, yards	3432: 000212 = 2.12 yd

Width / Diameter

Common error to avoid: Several AI lists circulating online (including one major competitor’s published table) incorrectly reuse the Area AI family (3140-3145) for Width in inches. The correct AI family for Width/diameter in inches is 3240-3245. Always verify against GS1’s official numeric register before using an AI on printed packaging.

AI family	Description	Sample (2-decimal AI) = Value
3120-3125	Width / diameter / second dimension, metres (vmti)	3122: 000212 = 2.12 m
3240-3245	Width / diameter, inches (vmti)	3242: 000212 = 2.12 in
3250-3255	Width / diameter, feet (vmti)	3252: 000212 = 2.12 ft
3260-3265	Width / diameter, yards (vmti)	3262: 000212 = 2.12 yd
3320-3325	Logistic width, metres	3322: 000212 = 2.12 m
3440-3445	Logistic width, inches	3442: 000212 = 2.12 in
3450-3455	Logistic width, feet	3452: 000212 = 2.12 ft
3460-3465	Logistic width, yards	3462: 000212 = 2.12 yd

Depth / Thickness / Height

AI family	Description	Sample (2-decimal AI) = Value
3130-3135	Depth/thickness/height, metres (vmti)	3132: 000212 = 2.12 m
3270-3275	Depth/thickness/height, inches (vmti)	3272: 000212 = 2.12 in
3280-3285	Depth/thickness/height, feet (vmti)	3282: 000212 = 2.12 ft
3290-3295	Depth/thickness/height, yards (vmti)	3292: 000212 = 2.12 yd
3330-3335	Logistic height, metres	3332: 000212 = 2.12 m
3470-3475	Logistic height, inches	3472: 000212 = 2.12 in
3480-3485	Logistic height, feet	3482: 000212 = 2.12 ft
3490-3495	Logistic height, yards	3492: 000212 = 2.12 yd

Area

AI family	Description	Sample (2-decimal AI) = Value
3140-3145	Area, square metres (vmti)	3142: 000035 = 0.35 m²
3500-3505	Area, square inches (vmti)	3502: 000035 = 0.35 in²
3510-3515	Area, square feet (vmti)	3512: 000035 = 0.35 ft²
3520-3525	Area, square yards (vmti)	3522: 000035 = 0.35 yd²
3340-3345	Logistic area, square metres	3342: 000035 = 0.35 m²
3530-3535	Logistic area, square inches	3532: 000035 = 0.35 in²
3540-3545	Logistic area, square feet	3542: 000035 = 0.35 ft²
3550-3555	Logistic area, square yards	3552: 000035 = 0.35 yd²

Volume

AI family	Description	Sample (2-decimal AI) = Value
3150-3155	Net volume, litres (vmti)	3152: 000140 = 1.4 l
3160-3165	Net volume, cubic metres (vmti)	3162: 000140 = 1.4 m³
3600-3605	Net volume, quarts (vmti)	3602: 000140 = 1.4 qt
3610-3615	Net volume, gallons U.S. (vmti)	3612: 000140 = 1.4 gal
3640-3645	Net volume, cubic inches (vmti)	3642: 000140 = 1.4 in³
3650-3655	Net volume, cubic feet (vmti)	3652: 000140 = 1.4 ft³
3660-3665	Net volume, cubic yards (vmti)	3662: 000140 = 1.4 yd³
3350-3355	Logistic volume, litres	3352: 000140 = 1.4 l
3360-3365	Logistic volume, cubic metres	3362: 000140 = 1.4 m³
3620-3625	Logistic volume, quarts	3622: 000140 = 1.4 qt
3630-3635	Logistic volume, gallons U.S.	3632: 000140 = 1.4 gal
3670-3675	Logistic volume, cubic inches	3672: 000140 = 1.4 in³
3680-3685	Logistic volume, cubic feet	3682: 000140 = 1.4 ft³
3690-3695	Logistic volume, cubic yards	3692: 000140 = 1.4 yd³

6. Financial & Pricing

Important: Same decimal-position rule as measurements. £56.55 with ISO currency code 826 (GBP) = AI 3912: 8265655.

Single monetary area

AI family	Description	Sample (2-decimal AI) = Value
3900-3909	Amount payable, local currency	3902: 5655 = $56.55
3920-3929	Amount payable for a vmti, local currency	3922: 5655 = $56.55 per unit

With ISO currency code

AI family	Description	Sample (2-decimal AI) = Value
3910-3919	Amount payable with ISO currency code	3912: 8265655 = £56.55
3930-3939	Amount payable for a vmti with ISO currency code	3932: 8265655 = £56.55 per unit

7. Order & Reference Data

AI	Description	Max input value
400	Customer’s purchase order number	up to 30 characters
401	Global Identification Number for Consignment (GINC)	up to 30 characters
402	Global Shipment Identification Number (GSIN)	17-digit code
403	Routing code	up to 30 characters
410	Ship to / Deliver to GLN	13-digit code
411	Bill to / Invoice to GLN	13-digit code
412	Purchased from GLN	13-digit code
413	Ship for / Deliver for / Forward to GLN	13-digit code
414	Identification of a physical location (GLN)	13-digit code
415	GLN of the invoicing party	13-digit code
416	GLN of the production or service location	13-digit code

8. Country & Location Information

Important: These AIs use numeric ISO 3166-1 country codes, e.g. 840 = United States. See the full ISO country code list.

AI	Description	Format
422	Country of origin of a trade item	3-digit country code
423	Country of initial processing	3-digit country code + up to 12 digits
424	Country of processing	3-digit country code
425	Country of disassembly	3-digit country code
426	Country covering full process chain	3-digit country code
427	Country subdivision of origin	up to 3 characters

9. Shipping & Return Address Details

AI	Description	Max input value
420	Ship to / Deliver to postal code, single postal authority	up to 20 characters
421	Ship to / Deliver to postal code with ISO country code	3-digit country code + up to 9 characters
4300	Ship-to / Deliver-to company name	up to 35 characters
4301	Ship-to / Deliver-to contact name	up to 35 characters
4302	Ship-to / Deliver-to address line 1	up to 70 characters
4303	Ship-to / Deliver-to address line 2	up to 70 characters
4304	Ship-to / Deliver-to suburb	up to 70 characters
4305	Ship-to / Deliver-to locality	up to 70 characters
4306	Ship-to / Deliver-to region	up to 70 characters
4307	Ship-to / Deliver-to country code	2-letter ISO country code
4308	Ship-to / Deliver-to telephone number	up to 30 characters
4309	Ship-to / Deliver-to GEO location	20-digit code
4310	Return-to company name	up to 35 characters
4311	Return-to contact	up to 35 characters
4312	Return-to address line 1	up to 70 characters
4313	Return-to address line 2	up to 70 characters
4314	Return-to suburb	up to 70 characters
4315	Return-to locality	up to 70 characters
4316	Return-to region	up to 70 characters
4317	Return-to country code	2-letter ISO country code
4318	Return-to postal code	up to 20 characters
4319	Return-to telephone number	up to 30 characters

10. Delivery, Service & Temperature Control

AI	Description	Max input value
4320	Service code description	up to 35 characters
4321	Dangerous goods flag	1 or 0 (Yes/No)
4322	Authority to leave	1 or 0 (Yes/No)
4323	Signature required flag	1 or 0 (Yes/No)

Temperature AIs: Always one implied decimal place, six digits, zero-padded. Use a leading “-” for values below zero. Example: -35.6 °C = -000356.

AI	Description	Value format
4330	Maximum temperature, Fahrenheit	[-]000000
4331	Maximum temperature, Celsius	[-]000000
4332	Minimum temperature, Fahrenheit	[-]000000
4333	Minimum temperature, Celsius	[-]000000

11. Product & Industry Specific

AI	Description	Format
7001	NATO Stock Number (NSN)	13-digit code
7002	UN/ECE meat carcasses and cuts classification	up to 30 characters
7004	Active potency	up to 4 digits
7005	Catch area	up to 12 characters
7008	Species for fishery purposes	up to 3 characters
7009	Fishing gear type	up to 10 characters
7010	Production method	up to 2 characters

12. Asset & Component Tracking

AI	Description	Max input value
7020	Refurbishment lot ID	up to 20 characters
7021	Functional status	up to 20 characters
7022	Revision status	up to 20 characters
7023	Global Individual Asset Identifier (GIAI) of an assembly	up to 30 characters
8003	Global Returnable Asset Identifier (GRAI)	14-digit code + up to 16 characters
8004	Global Individual Asset Identifier (GIAI)	up to 30 characters

13. Processor & Certification Information

AI	Description	Format
7030-7039	Number of processor with ISO country code	up to 27 characters + 3-digit country code
7230-7239	Certification reference (10 slots)	up to 28 characters

14. Healthcare Information

AI	Description
710	National Healthcare Reimbursement Number (NHRN) – Germany PZN
711	NHRN – France CIP
712	NHRN – Spain CN
713	NHRN – Brazil DRN
714	NHRN – Portugal AIM
715	NHRN – United States NDC
716	NHRN – Italy AIC

15. Identification & Technical Data

AI	Description
7040	GS1 UIC with Extension 1 and Importer index
7041	UN/CEFACT freight unit type
7240	Protocol ID
8001	Roll products (width, length, core diameter, direction, splices)
8002	Cellular mobile telephone identifier
8005	Price per unit of measure
8006	Identification of an individual trade item piece (ITIP)
8007	International Bank Account Number (IBAN)
8008	Date and time of production
8009	Optically Readable Sensor Indicator
8012	Software version
8026	Identification of ITIP pieces in a logistic unit

16. Personal Data

These AIs, added to support GS1 Digital Link use cases like age-restricted purchases and baby product tracking, are defined in the GS1 Digital Link URI Syntax standard (Release 1.6.0, ratified March 2025).

AI	Description
7250	Date of birth
7251	Date and time of birth
7252	Biological sex
7253	Family name
7254	Given name
7255	Name suffix
7256	Full name
7257	Address of person
7258	Baby birth sequence
7259	Baby of family name

17. Marketing & Coupons

Important: AIs 3940-3949 only use digits, with the last digit setting the decimal position. Example: 52.3% discount = AI 3941: 00523.

AI	Description	Format
8110	Coupon code identification, North America	up to 70 characters
8111	Loyalty points of a coupon	4-digit code
8112	Positive offer file coupon code, North America	up to 70 characters
3940-3949	Percentage discount of a coupon	0052 (AI 3940) = 52%
3950-3955	Amount payable per unit of measure, single monetary area	5655 (AI 3950) = $5,655

18. Internal Use

AI	Description	Max input value
90	Information mutually agreed between trading partners	up to 30 characters
91-99	Company internal information	up to 30 characters each

FAQ

What is a GS1 Application Identifier used for?

A GS1 Application Identifier tells a barcode scanner or Digital Link URI what type of data follows it, such as a batch number, expiration date, or net weight. Without the AI prefix, a scanner would see only a meaningless string of digits with no way to interpret it.

How many GS1 Application Identifiers are there?

GS1’s official register lists well over 100 defined AIs across categories including trade identification, dates, measurements, pricing, location, and personal data, and GS1 periodically adds new ones through its Global Standards Management Process. For the absolute latest additions, always check GS1’s live register at ref.gs1.org/ai.

Which AIs are most commonly used on product packaging?

For most consumer packaged goods, the core set is AI 01 (GTIN), AI 10 (batch/lot), AI 17 (expiration date), AI 21 (serial number), and AI 15 (best before date). These five cover the majority of Sunrise 2027 checkout and traceability use cases without needing the full extended list.

Can I use these AIs in a regular QR code, or do I need GS1 Digital Link?

Application Identifiers only carry meaning inside a GS1-128 barcode or a properly structured GS1 Digital Link URI. Putting raw AI-prefixed data into a plain static QR code without following the Digital Link URI syntax means retail 2D scanners and GS1-aware systems won’t be able to parse it correctly.

What happens if I use the wrong AI on printed packaging?

Since AIs are baked into the barcode itself, an incorrect AI cannot be fixed after printing. That’s why it pays to verify AI numbers against GS1’s official register before a print run, especially for imperial measurement AIs where errors are common (see our warning under Width/Diameter above).

Do I need a GS1 Company Prefix to use these AIs?

You need a GS1 Company Prefix to generate a valid GTIN (AI 01) and other GS1-assigned identifiers for retail sale. For internal tracking, warehouse use, or non-retail applications, some businesses use self-assigned numbers, but retail and Sunrise 2027 checkout compliance requires a properly licensed GS1 prefix from your local GS1 Member Organisation.