In this guide, we show you how to create your packaging master data in GS1Trade Packaging.
The process consists of four steps:

1. Create all GTINs in the product hierarchy (base unit, case, and pallet if applicable)
2. Create packaging components, perform environmental grading, and group them into packaging units
3. Link the correct packaging unit to each GTIN
4. Create a packaging system for the packaging units linked to your product

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1. Create All Products (GTINs) in the Product Hierarchy

A product represents the physical item that will be placed on the market.
The product hierarchy typically consists of the base unit (sales item), case, and pallet.
You must create GTINs for all levels that exist in your hierarchy.

Note: In most cases, GTIN exist only for the base unit and case. If a pallet GTIN does not exist, simply create the base unit and case.

In this guide, we use a jar of jam as an example. The jam is packed in cases on a pallet. The product hierarchy therefore consists of:

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How to do it:
Go to the Products tab → Click Create new > Create manually.
Enter the following information:

• Brand name
• Product name
• Product ID
• GTIN (if available - though relevant if you wish to share data)
• Net content

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In the following example we are creating the consumer unit.

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If you plan to share packaging data for this product with a customer:

Go to the Sharing settings tab on the product.

If you only use GS1Trade Packaging, you need to add the customers you wish to share packaging data with here.

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If you also subscribe to GS1Trade Sync, you do not need to add data recipients in GS1Trade Packaging (unless your customers have specifically requested to receive data in both systems).

When you publish the GTINs in Trade Packaging, the packaging data will automatically be transferred to GS1Trade Sync and added to the existing product master data.

Make sure that the correct data recipients are set up for your products in GS1Trade Sync.

Note: If the products do not already exist in Trade Sync, they will be created as drafts. You must then add the data recipients and publish the product before the data is sent to your customers.

Learn more in this guide on How to Share Data in GS1Trade Packaging.

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2. Create Packaging Components and Group Them into Units

We start by creating the packaging for the base unit.
In this example, our jam product consists of three components:

• A lid
• A label
• A glass jar

The label is an integrated component on the glass.

An integrated component is defined as a packaging component that is not intended to be separated from the main component during waste sorting or transport.

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2.1 Create Components

Go to Packaging Master Data → Click Create new > New component.

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Enter:

• Name (so you can identify it later)
• Element type (GS1 standard)
• Material type (GS1 standard)
• Component weight

Click Save.

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2.2 Integrate Components

Before you assemble packaging units or perform environmental grading, it’s important to link main and integrated components.

Packaging with integrated components must be graded as one unit, according to the Danish Environmental Protection Agency’s regulation.

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How to do it:

1. Go to the main component (e.g. the jam jar).
2. Under the Integrated components tab, click Edit details.
3. Select the integrated component from the list on the right and drag it into the empty field.
4. At Combined from the dropwdown list select how the integrated component is attached to the main one.
5. Click Save. The jar and label are now linked in the system.

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2.3 Classify and Environmentally Grade Components

Once your components are created and integrated, you are ready to classify them according to the Danish producer responsibility regulation. All components need to be environmentally graded for correct data sharing and/or reporting.

Here you can find the full guide on how to do environmental grading in GS1Trade Packaging.

Go to the Packaging classification tab and specify:

• Waste type
• Material category
• Environmental grading

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2.4 Assemble Components into Units

Next, combine your components (e.g. jar and lid) into a packaging unit.

• Go to Packaging Master Data > Create new > Create new unit.
• Enter a descriptive name (e.g. Jam jar).
• Select the unit type (e.g. Jar).
• Drag components from the list on the right into the unit.
• When you add components, the system automatically assigns one piece per component. Adjust the quantity if there are multiple components of the same type.

Be aware that:

• Integrated components are automatically included via their main components. Do not add them manually in the unit.
• For multipacks with multiple identical components, you can adjust the quantity here.

Repeat steps 2.1–2.4 for the case and pallet packaging.

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3. Link the Packaging Unit Unique to Each GTIN

You now have both packaging and products created in the system and you need to link the packaging unit that is unique to each GTIN.

Base > Base packaging
Package > Package packaging
Pallet > Pallet packaging.

• Go to your Packaging unit > Linked products tab.
• Click Link to product, search for the GTIN, and select it.

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If you later update or improve packaging, you only need to maintain the data once, and all linked products will automatically inherit the updates.

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4. Create Packaging Systems

Finally, create a packaging system for your product hierarchy. If you only need to create base units with associated primary packaging the packaging systems might not be relevant for you.

• Go to Packaging systems > Create new.
• Give the system a clear name that indicates which product(s) it belongs to.
• Drag the base unit into the primary level, the case into secondary, and the pallet into tertiary.
• Specify how many base, case, and pallet units exist within the hierarchy. You should indicate the total amount of units in the packaging system. Fx if you have 1 pallet with 8 cases/colli and in every case there is 10 consumer units in total you'll have 80 consumer units in the system.

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You have now created the complete packaging master data for your product.

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Good to Know

You can reuse packaging units for multiple GTINs — for example, if you have product variants that use the same packaging. You can also reuse individual packaging components across several different units.

• ‍‍Go to the Packaging unit >navigate to the Linked products tab.
• Click Link to product > search for and select the GTIN.

In the example below, three jam products (strawberry, raspberry, and orange jam) have been created, but only one packaging unit. Since the same packaging is used for all three products, that unit is linked to each of them.

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Inactive Packaging Data

Packaging data that is no longer relevant or valid must be marked as Inactive. This ensures that the system only contains data that reflects current packaging use.

This applies to:

• Packaging components
• Packaging units
• Products

When data is marked as Inactive, it means it is no longer actively used in the packaging flow but is retained in the system for traceability and historical reference.
For this reason, it is not possible to delete products or packaging data. Instead, mark them as Inactive.

If data has been created by mistake, it should be handled in the same way.
No further updates should be made to inactive data unless it is reactivated.
We also recommend removing all associations with inactive components or units.