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Updated . A plain-English summary of the published rules, not legal advice: your carrier or customs agent has the last word.

Add the NS-PID barcode to your Shopify variants

Since October 2026, Shopify lists NS-PID among its barcode types. Shopify describes it as the code a manufacturer or supplier assigns, such as a model or part number, used to identify a product in EU customs declarations. It is the NS-PID customs ask for from 1st November 2026, and it now has its own place on each variant: add it as a barcode of the type NS-PID, after your product barcode.

A variant can have several barcodes

Each variant holds up to 20 barcodes, and each one can have a type: GTIN, EAN, UPC, ISBN, ASIN or NS-PID. Shopify checks a typed barcode against its standard and stores an NS-PID exactly as you enter it, because it follows no published format.

Keep your product barcode first

When something reads a single barcode from a variant, it gets the first one in the list, and Shopify says sales channels read the first barcode. Google & YouTube uses it as the product's GTIN. So add the NS-PID after the EAN, UPC or ISBN, never in front of it.

If the variant has no product barcode

Then an NS-PID barcode would be the variant's first barcode, and channels could read the manufacturer's reference as a GTIN. Keep the reference in a variant metafield instead (PIDReady uses custom.ns_pid), and mark the variant as having no barcode: customs then get the exception Y081 for the S-PID.

One variant at a time, in Shopify

  1. Open the variant. In your Shopify admin, open the product and the variant.
  2. Add the barcode. Under Barcodes, add a barcode, type the manufacturer's reference and choose the type NS-PID.
  3. Check the order. Check that your EAN, UPC or ISBN is still the first barcode in the list, then save.

Many variants at once, with PIDReady

PIDReady fills NS-PID barcodes in bulk: for the variants you select or filter, from an Excel or CSV template, or from references your store already has, such as the MPN entered for Google & YouTube. It always adds the NS-PID after the product barcode, keeps the reference in the metafield on variants without one, shows a preview first and lets you undo for 30 days. If earlier versions of PIDReady saved references in the metafield, its Settings copy them to NS-PID barcodes.

Common questions

Why must the NS-PID come after the product barcode?

When something reads a single barcode from a variant, it gets the first one, and Shopify says sales channels read the first barcode. Google & YouTube uses it as the product's GTIN. An NS-PID in front of the EAN, UPC or ISBN could be read as a GTIN.

What if a variant has no product barcode?

Keep the reference in a variant metafield instead (PIDReady uses custom.ns_pid) and mark the variant as having no barcode. Customs then get the exception Y081 for the S-PID. Read about the Y081 exception

How many barcodes can a variant have?

Each variant holds up to 20 barcodes, and each one can have a type: GTIN, EAN, UPC, ISBN, ASIN or NS-PID.

Does Shopify check an NS-PID?

Shopify checks a typed barcode against its standard and stores an NS-PID exactly as you enter it, because it follows no published format.

Can I fill NS-PID barcodes for many variants at once?

Yes, with PIDReady: for the variants you select or filter, from an Excel or CSV template, or from references your store already has. It shows a preview first and lets you undo for 30 days.

Check your catalogue

PIDReady is a Shopify app that checks every variant for the three identifiers, the HS code and the country of origin, helps you fill the gaps one by one or in bulk, and downloads a file for your carrier. The free plan does every fix, for any size of store.

Questions about the rule, app or no app? Email support@pidready.com: we reply within one working day.

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