In today’s fast-paced retail and supply chain ecosystem, barcodes have become a necessity for businesses of all sizes. For Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in India, adopting it not only streamlines operations but also opens doors to national and international markets.
Having personally implemented GS1 barcode in my own MSME product packaging, I experienced tremendous advantages—from inventory tracking to getting listed on major platforms. Even better, I received 75% reimbursement under the Government of India’s barcode subsidy scheme—a huge boost for small businesses like mine.
related post:Why Indian MSMEs Lose Money on Inventory—and How Barcodes Fix It
It is a visual, machine-readable representation of data that can be scanned using a barcode scanner. It contains information such as product number, batch, price, and origin, helping automate identification and data collection across industries.
It looks like a series of black vertical lines of varying widths and spaces, printed on a white background. Beneath these lines, you’ll usually find a numeric or alphanumeric code.
Implementing it offfers a host of benefits, especially for growing MSMEs:
Using it enhances the professional look of your packaging. This boosts brand trust and meets the standards of retail chains and marketplaces like Amazon, Flipkart, BigBasket, etc.
A barcode scanner helps track inventory in real-time. You’ll know exactly how much stock is available, reducing errors and preventing overstocking or stockouts.
In retail setups, barcode scanning makes billing faster, reduces human error, and improves overall customer satisfaction.
Whether selling locally or exporting, it ensure product traceability across the supply chain.
Most e-commerce platforms require GS1 barcode for product listings. Without it, you may not be able to list or sell your product online.
It make it simple to track faulty or expired batches, helping in quick and effective product recalls if needed—essential for food, pharma, and consumer goods industries.
Though there’s an initial cost, it reduce labor and operational costs in the long run by minimizing manual entry and avoiding costly inventory errors.
Using it allows you to generate data for sales trends, customer preferences, and product performance. This helps MSMEs make informed decisions.
GS1 barcodes are globally recognized and required in many export markets. Having them on your products makes customs clearance smoother and meets international trade standards.
It easily integrate with modern billing systems, Point-of-Sale (POS), and ERP software, making your business digitally compliant and scalable.
related post: Smart Barcodes & AI: How Startups Are Turning Barcodes into Growth Engines (2026)
There are various types of barcodes, each suited to different applications:
Tip: You can easily create barcodes using free or paid barcode generator tools available online.
The Indian government, through the Ministry of MSME, offers financial assistance up to 75% for the cost incurred in registration and subscription with GS1 India, the authorized body for barcode issuance in India.
When I registered my products with GS1 India, I paid the full fee initially. After submitting the required documents, I received 75% of the cost reimbursed under the MSME Barcode Subsidy scheme. This encouraged me to use it across my entire packaging system, helping me get listed with larger retailers and improve stock traceability.
For MSMEs, adopting barcode technology is no longer optional—it’s a strategic move toward professionalism, market expansion, and efficient operations. With tools like barcode generators, easy access to barcode scanners, and a 75% government subsidy, there’s no better time than now to make your packaging barcode-enabled.
From my own experience, the return on this small investment has been multi-fold. Whether you’re a manufacturer, exporter, or local seller—adding a GS1 barcode can significantly elevate your business potential.
Barcodes help MSMEs streamline inventory, reduce errors, enhance product traceability, and build consumer trust by ensuring authenticity and faster checkout.
The most common barcode types are EAN-13, UPC, Code 128, and QR Codes. MSMEs selling internationally typically use EAN or UPC formats issued by GS1 India.
The Ministry of MSME offers reimbursement of up to 75% of registration fees through GS1 India. You can apply via the MSME Champions Portal or your District Industries Centre (DIC).
Barcodes improve global supply chain compatibility and are mandatory for exporting products to international retail networks like Amazon, Walmart, and Carrefour.
Not all — but for packaged goods, e-commerce listings, and retail distribution, barcodes are highly recommended for compliance and traceability.
Tabrez Khan is the founder and editor of BusinessZindagi.com, a blog dedicated to helping Indian entrepreneurs, MSMEs, and startups grow digitally. With years of experience in trading ,exporting , he writes actionable guides on finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship.
Business Secrets: The Invisible Power Behind Successful MSMEs Most people think business success comes from…
When EMIs Start Feeling Heavy There comes a time in many borrowers’ lives when monthly…
The Truth about loan settlement ,Most Msme Borrowers Realize Too Late When financial pressure increases,…
The Union Budget 2026 introduced the Self-Help Entrepreneur (SHE) Marts initiative, a significant step towards…
Many entrepreneurs assume that once a loan is approved, the difficult part is over. But…
AI generated image The inauguration of the Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu marks a significant milestone…