Understanding the UCC Vendor Prefix

What is a Vendor Prefix? 

The UCC Vendor Prefix, also known as the GS1 Company Prefix, is a unique number assigned to companies by GS1 US. This number is essential for generating UPC barcodes and is used in both Advanced Ship Notices (ASNs) and shipping labels. Its primary purpose is to ensure that carton numbers remain unique when received by a trading partner’s store or distribution center. 

Vendor Prefix Usage in WebEDI 

In WebEDI, the vendor prefix is used to generate the first part of the SSCC-18 carton tracking number, which appears on both ASNs and shipping labels. 

If your trading partner (for example, Bed Bath & Beyond) allows you to use your vendor number in place of the GS1 prefix, you must pad the number with leading zeros to ensure it is at least six digits long. 

How to Update Your Vendor Prefix in WebEDI 

1. Log in to your WebEDI account.
2. Click on My WebEDI in the top-right corner.
3. Select the Company Information section.
4. Enter your number into the UCC Vendor Prefix field.
5. Click the Save button at the bottom of the screen.
6. Return to the home page by clicking the Home link.