How to Read Barcodes and Know the Country of Origin

A barcode is a code made of numbers and lines that carries important product information, most importantly the manufacturing country code. When scanning any product, the beginning digits identify the country of origin with high accuracy.

What is a Barcode?

A barcode or "bar code" is a sequence of numbers and lines used globally to identify products. The standard EAN-13 barcode consists of 13 digits, the first of which represent the manufacturing country code according to the international GS1 system.

How to Read Barcode Numbers?

The first two or three digits in a barcode represent the manufacturing country code. For example:

690-699: China 🇨🇳
628: Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦
629: United Arab Emirates 🇦🇪
622: Egypt 🇪🇬
626: Iran 🇮🇷
00-09: USA & Canada 🇺🇸
30-37: France 🇫🇷
40-44: Germany 🇩🇪

Easiest Way to Know Product Origin

Instead of memorizing these numbers, you can use the Made Where app which reveals the product country instantly by scanning the barcode with your camera. The app is free, available on Google Play, and supports over 100 countries.