What NTIN is and why it should appear on the receipt
NTIN (National Trade Item Number) is a national code for a trade item unit used in the system for product labeling and traceability. For labeled products, this code (along with the identification code and the labeling code) must be correctly included in the fiscal document — the cash receipt that the cash register (KKM) prints and transmits to the fiscal data operator.
When a customer purchases a labeled item, the cash register is required to “retire” the labeling code: scan it with the scanner, verify it, and include it in the receipt. If the receipt is configured incorrectly, the code (or the NTIN associated with it) will not make it into the fiscal document, which means the item's withdrawal from circulation will be incorrect. That is exactly why configuring receipts to output the NTIN is not a cosmetic tweak but a mandatory element of the legal retail sale of labeled goods.
Who this concerns
This configuration is primarily relevant for those who sell labeled and traceable goods at retail and work with online cash registers (KKM):
- Retail stores and retail chains selling goods in groups subject to labeling.
- Pharmacies and sellers of certain categories, where traceability is mandatory.
- Wholesale companies that issue receipts when shipping to retail or to the end customer.
- Accountants and automation specialists who support standard 1C configurations (accounting and retail solutions for Kazakhstan).
If you sell only unlabeled items, you will not need a separate NTIN output configuration. But as soon as at least one labeled group appears in your assortment, the cash register node must be prepared in advance.
What to check and configure in the accounting system
The procedure in standard 1C configurations is generally the same; only the names of the sections differ. Below is the general logic, which should be adapted to your specific configuration and version.
1. Enable the labeling functionality. In the settings section (usually “Administration” → “Settings” or the block responsible for integration with the labeling system), activate the use of labeled products. Without this flag, the system will not request and process codes during the sale.
2. Classify the nomenclature. Goods subject to labeling must have the corresponding attribute filled in and the product group specified. It is precisely the “nomenclature ↔ product group ↔ code” link that allows the system to understand that when such an item is sold, the code must be scanned and the data for the receipt generated.
3. Configure the cashier's workstation (RMK). In the RMK settings, check that the entry of labeling codes during the sale is enabled. Then, when a labeled item is added, the cash register will require the code to be scanned, verify it, and prepare it for inclusion in the receipt.
4. Check the equipment connection. The scanner (ideally 2D, so it can read Data Matrix) and the fiscal recorder must be connected via the connectable equipment mechanism. Make sure the KKM driver is up to date — outdated drivers may not support the transmission of labeling attributes.
Configuration on the KKM and OFD side
Even with correct settings in 1C, it is important that the cash register generates a fiscal document with the necessary attributes “at the output.”
- Firmware and KKM model. Make sure the cash register model supports working with labeled goods and transmitting the corresponding attributes in the receipt. If necessary, update the firmware through the servicing organization (TSC).
- Connection to the fiscal data operator. The cash register must be registered and must transmit documents to the operator. Check the connection and the absence of errors when sending receipts.
- Printed form format. Configure the printed receipt so that it contains the attributes related to the labeled item. The composition and appearance of these attributes depend on the requirements and the version of the fiscal data format supported by the cash register.
If you are unsure of the capabilities of a specific KKM model, check with the equipment supplier or the TSC — they will confirm whether the cash register supports the required mode and which firmware version is needed.
How to test before launch
Do not roll out the configuration “into battle” without testing. A practical testing procedure:
1. Trial receipt on a test item. Create a labeled item, scan the code at the RMK, and ring up the sale. Make sure the system accepted the code without errors.
2. Check the receipt composition. Look at the fiscal document: the code (and the associated NTIN) must be present in the item's attributes.
3. Verify transmission to the operator. Make sure the receipt went to the fiscal data operator and did not “get stuck” in the queue.
4. Check code retirement. Make sure that after the sale the code is correctly withdrawn from circulation and did not remain “active.”
5. Return. Separately test the scenario for returning a labeled item — it must also be reflected correctly.
If an error occurs at any step, the cause is most often in one of three places: the necessary flag is not enabled in the settings, the labeling attribute is not filled in for the nomenclature, or the equipment driver/firmware is outdated.
Timelines and organization of the work
The specific timelines for the transition to mandatory labeling and the requirements for the receipt format depend on the product group and the applicable regulations — they should be clarified in official materials and with the servicing organization. From an organizational standpoint, it is reasonable to:
- start the configuration in advance, not on the day labeling becomes mandatory for your product group;
- coordinate the KKM firmware update with the TSC;
- train cashiers on the scanning scenario and on actions to take in case of code reading errors;
- appoint a responsible person who monitors the correct transmission of receipts to the operator in the first days after launch.
This approach reduces the risk of halted sales and of complaints from regulatory authorities.
Frequently asked questions
What is NTIN and how does it differ from the labeling code? — NTIN (National Trade Item Number) is a national code for a trade item unit that identifies the type of product. The labeling code is a unique code for a specific instance applied to the packaging; during the sale the cash register retires exactly this code, whereas the NTIN refers to the product position as a whole.
Is it mandatory to output the NTIN on the receipt? — For labeled products, the attributes related to labeling and product identification must be included in the fiscal document. If the item does not belong to labeled groups, a separate configuration is not needed.
Why doesn't the code make it into the receipt even though the item was scanned? — Most often the cause is disabled labeling functionality, an unfilled attribute for the nomenclature, or an outdated KKM driver/firmware. Check these three places in sequence.
Will an ordinary barcode scanner work? — To read labeling codes, you need a scanner that reads two-dimensional codes (Data Matrix). A linear 1D scanner will not recognize such codes.
What should be done when returning a labeled item? — The return scenario is configured and tested separately: the cash register must correctly process the return and return the code to circulation in accordance with the requirements of the labeling system.
FAQ
What is NTIN and what is the difference from the labeling code? NTIN (National Trade Item Number) defines the type of the product itself in the traceability system, whereas the labeling code (Data Matrix) is unique to each specific instance on the shelf. During the sale, the cash register retires exactly the unique labeling code, while the NTIN refers to the product position as a whole.
Is it mandatory to configure the output of this data on the receipt? Yes, but only for goods subject to mandatory labeling. If you trade exclusively in unlabeled products, you do not need this configuration.
Who needs to prepare their cash registers? Everyone who sells labeled goods: retail stores, pharmacies, retail chains, and wholesale companies when shipping to the end customer.
The item was scanned, but the code did not make it into the receipt. Why? The cause usually lies in one of three shortcomings:
Accounting for labeled products is not activated in the accounting system.
The product group and the labeling attribute are not specified in the card of the specific nomenclature.
An outdated driver or firmware of the cash register (KKM) is being used that does not support the new fiscal data formats.
Can an ordinary barcode scanner be used? No. Linear (1D) scanners cannot read labeling codes. You will need a 2D scanner capable of recognizing the Data Matrix format.
What happens to the code when a customer returns an item? The return is processed through the KKM with mandatory scanning of the labeling code. If everything is configured correctly, the cash register will generate a fiscal document for the return and return the specific code back to legal circulation. This scenario must be tested before the sales launch.