Amazon Error 8572: Fix UPC Brand Mismatch

You upload a flat file and Amazon rejects it with error 8572: "The UPC code provided does not match the brand name in your submission." The listing will not go live until you fix it. This guide explains exactly what causes the error and how to resolve it.

What error 8572 means

Every UPC and EAN barcode is registered in a global database maintained by GS1, the organisation that issues barcode prefixes worldwide. When you register a GS1 prefix, your company name is recorded against every barcode in that prefix range. Think of it as a title deed: the barcode belongs to whichever company paid GS1 for that number block.

When you submit a flat file, Amazon cross-references the value in your External Product ID column (the UPC or EAN) against GS1 records. If the Brand Name in your flat file does not match the brand owner registered against that barcode, Amazon flags error 8572 and refuses the row.

The check is strict. Amazon does not attempt fuzzy matching. If your GS1 registration says "ABC Trading Ltd" and your flat file says "ABC Trading", that is enough to trigger the error.

Common causes

1. Using barcodes registered to a different brand

This is the most common cause. It happens when sellers buy cheap UPCs from third-party barcode resellers instead of getting them from GS1 directly. These resellers sell barcodes from prefixes registered to other companies. The barcode will always show a different brand owner in GS1 records, and Amazon will always reject it.

It also affects resellers who use the manufacturer's barcodes but enter their own company name in the Brand Name field. If you are reselling someone else's product, the brand name must match the manufacturer, not your shop name.

2. Brand name does not exactly match GS1 registration

Even if you own the barcode, the brand name in your flat file must match your GS1 registration character for character. Common mismatches include:

• "ABC Ltd" in your flat file versus "ABC Limited" in GS1
• "The ABC Company" versus "ABC Company"
• Extra spaces, missing punctuation, or different capitalisation
• A trading name instead of the registered legal entity

3. Barcodes from third-party resellers

Amazon has tightened its barcode validation over the past two years. Barcodes purchased from sites that resell GS1 prefixes registered to other companies are rejected more consistently now. Even if they worked in the past, a resubmission or new listing using the same barcodes may trigger 8572.

4. Catalogue conflicts

If the barcode is already associated with an ASIN on Amazon under a different brand, your submission will fail. This is related to Error 8541 (catalogue mismatch), which covers broader product ID conflicts.

How to fix error 8572

Step 1: Check your GS1 registration

Go to the GS1 GEPIR database at gepir.gs1.org. Enter the UPC or EAN from the rejected row. The result will show the registered company name. This is the name Amazon expects to see in your Brand Name field.

Step 2: Match your Brand Name exactly

Update the Brand Name column in your flat file to match the GS1 registration exactly. Copy it character for character. Do not add or remove "Ltd", "Limited", "Inc", or any other suffix.

If you are Brand Registered on Amazon, check that your Brand Registry enrolment also uses the same name. A mismatch between Brand Registry and GS1 creates a second layer of problems. See our guide on Error 5665 (brand registry) for more on that.

Step 3: Get your own GS1 prefix (brand owners)

If you are a brand owner selling your own products, the long-term fix is to register your own GS1 prefix. In the UK, this is done through GS1 UK (gs1uk.org). Costs start at around £100 per year for a small business, and you get a block of barcodes that are permanently registered to your company.

1. Visit gs1uk.org and create an account
2. Choose a prefix size based on how many products you have
3. Register each product barcode against your brand name
4. Use those barcodes in the External Product ID column of your flat file

Step 4: Apply for a GTIN exemption (alternative)

If your products do not have barcodes and you cannot get a GS1 prefix, apply for a GTIN exemption in Seller Central. This lets you list without a UPC or EAN.

1. In Seller Central, go to Add a Product
2. Search for your product category
3. Click "I need a GTIN exemption"
4. Select the brand and category, then submit
5. Once approved, leave the External Product ID and External Product ID Type columns blank in your flat file

Amazon typically approves exemptions for private-label products, handmade items, and products from brands that genuinely do not use barcodes. Approval is per category and per brand.

Step 5: For resellers, use the manufacturer brand name

If you are reselling products made by another company, the Brand Name in your flat file must be that company's brand, not yours. The barcode is registered to the manufacturer, so the brand name must match. Check the existing ASIN on Amazon to see what brand name is already on the catalogue page. Use that exact value.

How to verify your fix before resubmitting

1. Look up every barcode in the rejected rows on gepir.gs1.org
2. Compare the GS1 registered name against the Brand Name in your flat file, character for character
3. Update any mismatches
4. Resubmit just the corrected rows in a small test batch to confirm the error is resolved

If you are dealing with multiple errors across a large flat file, our flat file errors guide covers the broader troubleshooting process and other common error codes.

Preventing error 8572 in future uploads

• Never buy barcodes from third-party resellers. Use GS1 directly or apply for an exemption.
• Keep a reference spreadsheet mapping each barcode to its exact GS1-registered brand name. Use that as the source of truth for every flat file.
• If you change your company name or brand name at GS1, update your flat file templates and Brand Registry at the same time.
• Audit your barcodes before uploading. A pre-upload check that flags mismatches saves hours of back-and-forth with processing summaries.