Spotting Genuine Perfume: EAN, Batch Code, GPSR and Proof of Origin

If you resell perfume, you are liable for what you offer. Counterfeits damage your reputation, and even genuine goods can create legal problems if they were brought into the EU without the brand's consent. This guide shows you how to recognise authentic stock, which records you should demand from your supplier, and which details you need in your own shop.

Please note: this article gives a general overview and is no substitute for legal advice.

1. Check the packaging and labelling

Perfumes are cosmetic products. In the EU they fall under the Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. Under Article 19, the container and the packaging must carry, among other things, the following details:

• Name and address of the responsible person in the EU, plus the country of origin for imported goods
• Nominal content in millilitres or grams
• Date of minimum durability or the period-after-opening symbol
• Precautions for use, for example "flammable"
• Batch code or an identifying mark
• Intended use, unless it is clear from the presentation
• List of ingredients, introduced by the word "Ingredients"

If the EU responsible person is missing, or the details appear only in Arabic or English, treat that as a warning sign. In Germany, the nominal content, the precautions and the intended use must be legible in German, often by means of an additional label.

2. Read the EAN barcode correctly

The EAN (GTIN) is the 13-digit article number below the barcode. It matters for the till, your inventory system, marketplaces and Google Shopping. Keep the following in mind:

• The first digits show which GS1 organisation issued the number, not necessarily where the perfume was made. Many brands from the United Arab Emirates use numbers beginning with 629, for example.
• The last digit is a check digit. If it does not add up, the number is faulty.
• Every scent and every size has its own EAN. If two different scents carry the same number, something is wrong.
• A barcode alone does not prove authenticity, because it can be copied. It is, however, a useful first cross-check against the invoice and the brand's data.

3. Match the batch code

The batch code is usually found on the base of the bottle and on the carton. On authentic stock the two match. If the code is missing, has been scratched off, or differs between bottle and box, do not sell the goods. Record the batch codes of your purchases so that you can respond to queries or recalls.

4. Inspect the quality of bottle and packaging

• Clean, sharp printing with no spelling mistakes
• A firmly seated spray head and an even mist
• Neat cellophane wrapping and precisely fitting inserts in the box
• Even colour of the liquid, with no cloudiness or floating particles
• A comparison with a unit from a trusted source if you are unsure

5. Proof of origin: why EEA goods matter

Authenticity alone is not enough. Trade mark law applies the principle of exhaustion: once the brand has placed its goods on the market in the European Economic Area (EEA) itself or with its consent, those goods may in principle be resold. Goods first sold outside the EEA, in Dubai for example, are not covered. The trade mark owner can prohibit the sale of such grey imports in the EU, even where the goods are genuine.

In a dispute, retailers often have to prove themselves that their goods come from the official supply chain in the EU. So make sure you have:

• Invoices with complete details of supplier, article and quantity
• A supplier who buys directly from the brand or its official distributor
• All documents on file, so that you can respond quickly to enquiries from brands or marketplaces

6. Mandatory details in your own online shop

The EU General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR, Regulation (EU) 2023/988) has applied since 13 December 2024. It applies to cosmetics only in part, because the Cosmetics Regulation already covers much of the ground. The online-selling information requirements under Article 19 GPSR do, however, extend to perfume. Your listing should state:

• Name, registered trade mark, postal address and email address of the manufacturer
• Name and contact details of a responsible person in the EU where the manufacturer is based outside the EU
• Details identifying the product, for example image, type and EAN
• Warnings and safety information in the national language

In addition, the following applies to cosmetics in an online shop:

• Unit price: under the German Price Indication Ordinance, you state the price per litre alongside the final price.
• Ingredients: legal experts recommend showing the list of ingredients ("Ingredients") on the product page as well.

At Rimaal you receive the GPSR and product safety documentation you need for resale in the EU.

Goods-in checklist

1. Is the EU responsible person shown on the packaging?
2. Are the German details for nominal content and precautions in place?
3. Is there a batch code on both bottle and box, and do the two match?
4. Is there an EAN, is the check digit correct and does it match the scent?
5. Are printing, spray head and wrapping flawless?
6. Do you have an invoice with complete details?
7. Does the supplier buy from the brand or from the official distributor?
8. Do you have the GPSR details for your shop?

How Rimaal secures authentic stock

We source every perfume directly from the brands or their official distributors. Every item carries an EAN barcode, and proof of purchase is available on request. You will find all the details in our wholesale terms. For the buying process as a whole, read our guide Buying Arabic perfumes wholesale.

Frequently asked questions

Does an EAN prove that a perfume is genuine?

No. A barcode can be copied. It helps you cross-check against the invoice and the manufacturer's data, but it does not replace a check of the labelling, the batch code and the supply chain.

May I sell genuine perfumes from Dubai in Germany?

Not necessarily. If the goods were first sold outside the EEA, the trade mark owner can prohibit their resale in the EU, even if they are genuine. In addition, every perfume needs a responsible person in the EU.

What details does the GPSR require in an online shop?

Among other things the name, postal address and email address of the manufacturer, the contact details of a responsible person in the EU where the manufacturer is based outside the EU, details identifying the product, and warnings and safety information in the national language.

Where is the batch code?

Usually on the base of the bottle and on the carton. The two numbers should match.

Buy authentic stock with proof of origin: Apply for a wholesale account now.