Legacy Coupon Formats
UPC Coupon Codes were commonly used between 1997-2011 and are still in limited use. Today the Databar Coupons have supplanted UPC Coupons, however there may be some still in use.
Components of the UPC Coupon Code
- U.P.C Prefix 5 – UPC Coupon Codes begin with U.PC. Prefix 5. This prefix indicates the barcode is a coupon when scanned at point of sale. *The GS1 Databar Coupon barcode format replaced the U.P.C. Prefix 5 Coupon format in 2011.
- Manufacture ID – This field is limited to only 5 digits of the U.P.C. Company Prefix. Positions 2-6 of the U.P.C. Company Prefix should be encoded as the manufacture ID.
- Family Code – The manufacturer assigns family codes to each of their products. This three digit number is completely different from the item reference used on an item, since many coupons are redeemable on more than one size, color, or form of particular branded product. The family code is the key to validating that a consumer has purchased a qualifying family of products.
- Cents Off – The Cents Off or Save Value represents the redemption value of the coupon.
- Check Digit – The 12th digit of any UPC symbol is the check digit. Using a MOD10 check digit algorithm, the calculated check digit prevents substitution errors.
GS1-128 Coupon Extended Code
- Application ID (AI) – (8101) is used for GS1-128 Extended Coupon Codes which encode a U.P.C. Prefix, Offer Code, and Expiration Date.
- UPC Prefix – Only the first digit of the U.P.C. Company Prefix is encoded in the GS1-128 Extended Coupon Code.
- Offer Code – Five digit number assigned by the manufacturer to identify the specific offer.
- Expiration Date – The expiration date of the offer in MMYY format (i.e. 07/16).
Value Codes
*Note: The GS1 Databar Coupon barcode is the current format for coupons and encodes the actual save value.
