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VDA 4994 label generator for the Global Transport Label (GTL).
VDA 4994 is the German automotive association's recommendation for the GTL, with a DataMatrix and a unique package ID. Fill in a template and print it free.
How to print a VDA 4994 label
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01
Pick the size and label type
Use A5 on pallets, KLT1 on small load carriers (KLT) and KLT2 on flat ones. Set M for identical packages on a load unit, MIX for mixed parts and S for a single package.
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02
Build the license plate
Choose the data identifier (DI) for the label type: 6J for M, 5J for MIX, 1J for S. Enter UN, your nine-digit DUNS number and a new nine-digit serial number, such as 000123456.
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03
Check and print
Overwrite all sample values and check quantity and delivery note number against your shipping notice. Print the PDF at 100%, not “fit to page”.
What is a VDA 4994 label?
A VDA 4994 label is the Global Transport Label (GTL) that identifies each package and load unit in automotive supply, up to the production line. Its core is the license plate, a package ID that must be unique worldwide, printed as Code 128; a DataMatrix carries most other data. VDA, the German Association of the Automotive Industry, published version 2.0 in July 2023 to replace VDA 4902.
What a VDA 4994 label carries
On an A5 label, the top row holds ship-from, ship-to, label type and DataMatrix. Below follow delivery data, part number, package ID with dates and batch, and supplier and customer fields. ZF Lifetec's requirements of March 2026 divide the label into blocks A1 to E2, following VDA 4994; TEC-IT's A5 template uses the same layout.
The Code 128 holds only the package ID with its DI, such as 1JUN987654321000123456. The DataMatrix takes up to 24 elements in TEC-IT's template, each led by its DI.
Who asks for VDA 4994, and what it saves
More and more carmakers and Tier 1 suppliers require the GTL to LL08 (VDA 4994), Odette reports. Dräxlmaier (January 2026) wants a GTL to VDA 4994 or AIAG on every container. Bosch (November 2025), MAHLE (December 2024) and ZF Lifetec (March 2026) base their guidelines on VDA 4994.
At goods receipt, Dräxlmaier books each package in SAP under its license plate instead of relabeling it, if the same number arrives in the VDA 4987 shipping notice. Bosch and MAHLE test and approve your label before go-live.
Printing GTL labels at volume
Online, the generator fills one label at a time. For a shipment, sign in for free, list the packages in a data sheet, number them in sequence and export all rows as one file.
For series deliveries, print from the data behind your shipping notice (DESADV): in ZF Lifetec's 2026 requirements, label data come from the same data pool. TFORMer Server prints on request from SAP or Oracle, and TFORMer Workstation maps Excel or CSV columns to the template. In TFORMer Designer, you adapt the layout to variants such as Bosch's.
VDA 4994 at a glance
- Issuer
- VDA, German Association of the Automotive Industry
- Version
- 2.0, July 2023 (German and English)
- Status (VDA, August 2024)
- Current recommendation, replaces VDA 4902
- Odette equivalent
- LL08 (Odette profile of the GTL)
- Formats
- A5, A6, 210 × 74 mm, 210 × 42 mm
- Barcodes
- DataMatrix ECC 200, Code 128 license plate
- License plate
- DI + UN + DUNS (9 digits) + serial (9 digits), max. 22 characters
- Label types
- M (DI 6J), MIX (5J), S (1J)
- DataMatrix syntax
- ISO/IEC 15434 format 06, DIs to ISO/IEC 15418
M, MIX or S: choosing the label type
Bosch (2025), MAHLE (2024) and ZF Lifetec (2026) pair each label type with one DI. TEC-IT's template does not check the pair, and its sample combines M with 1J: change one of them.
| Type | DI | Used for | TEC-IT's template prints |
|---|---|---|---|
| M | 6J | Packages with one part number on a load unit | Total quantity, number of inner packages |
| MIX | 5J | Several part numbers on a load unit, or one part in several batches (ZF Lifetec) | Number of inner packages, no quantity |
| S | 1J | One package, such as a KLT, or a container without inner packages | Quantity; parts generation, hardware and software status |
The delivery note number belongs on M, MIX and stand-alone S labels; S labels on the boxes of a load unit may leave it out (Bosch, MAHLE).
What the DataMatrix contains
The code opens with the ISO/IEC 15434 header ([)>, RS, 06, GS) and two fixed elements: 12PGTL3 (label version) and 9K01 (recommendation revision). In TEC-IT's template, three elements differ from the printed text:
- 8D (ETA) joins the expected arrival date and time and always adds 132, the qualifier for an estimated delivery date:
8D201601151330132. - 3Q (unit) uses the ANSI X12 code, so ST on the label becomes
3QPC. - 14D and 16D add a time to the date: 23:59 for expiry, 00:00 for production.
Barcode and paper checks before printing
- Quiet zones. At least 6 mm left and 5 mm right of the Code 128 (VDA 4994, cited in Bosch's 2025 guideline). TEC-IT's A5 template leaves more than 15 mm on each side.
- Bar size. TEC-IT's A5 Code 128 has a 0.51 mm module, the smallest MAHLE (2024) allows, and is 20 mm high, as MAHLE recommends. The KLT templates keep the 15 mm minimum height.
- Print quality. Bosch asks for grade B or better to ISO 15415 and recommends a laser printer; Volkswagen's 2025 FAQ suggests a higher resolution, such as 720 dpi.
- Paper. Bosch and ZF Lifetec (2026) want insert labels of at least 160 g/m², MAHLE 120 g/m²; Dräxlmaier (2026) sets 160 g/m² for every label.
Common VDA 4994 mistakes
- Serial numbers reused or too short. VDA 4901 requires a worldwide unique package number, and MAHLE (2024) forbids reusing a serial. Enter nine digits; the template adds no zeros.
- Copies on different packages. A copy repeats the package ID. Use copies only for the second master label, which Volkswagen (2025) wants on the long and the short side.
- Adhesive labels on KLT boxes. Bosch (2025) and MAHLE prohibit them; use insert labels and remove them before the empties go back.
- Codes covered on the pallet. Straps, lids or stretch foil over the master label stop automated reading at goods receipt (Bosch, Volkswagen).
How VDA 4994 differs from related labels
The predecessor: up to 17 numbered fields with Code 39 barcodes in TEC-IT's templates.
The MAT label: Bosch's 2025 guideline uses it on the third packaging level, such as blisters in a box, paired with the GTL single label of the outer package.
TEC-IT's Odette templates are the older OTL labels with Code 39 or Code 128, without DataMatrix.
TEC-IT's Volkswagen GTL templates carry their data in PDF417, while Volkswagen's FAQ of October 2025 describes a DataMatrix and refers to VDA 4994.
Bosch's 2025 guideline builds on VDA 4994 with its own DataMatrix content, such as the RoHS status (30P).
The fields of a VDA 4994 label
TEC-IT's German A5 template prints no field numbers, so the numbers are TEC-IT's own, in block order from top left to bottom right, matching the markers on the image above. Captions appear as printed, in capitals, or as the editor's caption where the label prints none. The Barcode column names the symbol and data identifier (DI) carrying each field.
| No. | Field | Caption on the label | Content | Barcode | Max. length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ship from | VERSENDER | Goods sender: name (two lines), town, country code and postal code. | — | — |
| 2 | Ship-from ID | ID: | ID (supplier number) of the shipping plant. | DataMatrix (DI 3L) | — |
| 3 | Country of origin | URSPRUNGSLAND: | Country of origin of the goods as a two-letter ISO code, such as DE. | DataMatrix (DI 4L) | 2 |
| 4 | Ship to | EMPFÄNGER | Receiving plant: name (two lines), street, country code, postal code and town. | — | — |
| 5 | Plant, unloading point, storage location | WERK / ABLADESTELLE / LAGERORT | The receiver's plant, unloading point and internal storage location, printed in one line separated by slashes. | DataMatrix (DI 8V, 2L, 20L) | — |
| 6 | Label type | Label Type | M (master), MIX (mixed) or S (single), printed large at the top right. Pair it with the package ID's DI: 6J for M, 5J for MIX, 1J for S. | — | — |
| 7 | Delivery note number | LIEFERSCHEINNUMMER | Your delivery note number, as in the shipping notice. Bosch (2025) and MAHLE (2024) require it on master labels. | DataMatrix (DI 2S) | — |
| 8 | Supplier number | LIEFERANTENNUMMER | Number your customer gave you as the seller, if it differs from the ship-from ID. The caption prints only when the field is filled. | DataMatrix (DI V) | — |
| 9 | Customer-specific routing | KUNDENSPEZIFISCHES ROUTING | Routing code assigned by your customer; printed large when no point of use is given. | DataMatrix (DI 23L) | — |
| 10 | Point of use | Verwendungsstelle | Internal point of use at the customer, such as a line, printed under the routing code. | DataMatrix (DI 22L) | — |
| 11 | ETA | ETA | Requested arrival date and time (YYYY-MM-DD, hh:mm); without a time the template uses 00:00. Encoded with the qualifier 132. | DataMatrix (DI 8D) | — |
| 12 | Quantity | MENGE | Parts in the package; on a master label, the total of the load unit. Not printed on MIX labels. | DataMatrix (DI Q) | — |
| 13 | Unit of measure | Mengeneinheit | Unit code such as ST, KG or SET, printed in brackets after MENGE. The DataMatrix carries the ANSI X12 code, such as PC for ST. | DataMatrix (DI 3Q) | — |
| 14 | Net weight | NETTO KG | Net weight of the parts in kg; decimals are allowed. | — | — |
| 15 | Gross weight | BRUTTO KG | Weight of the package or load unit in kg, in whole numbers. | DataMatrix (DI 2Q) | — |
| 16 | Part number | SACHNUMMER | Your customer's part number, in 36-point type across the label. | DataMatrix (DI P) | — |
| 17 | Part description | Teilebezeichnung | Your customer's name for the part, printed small next to the SACHNUMMER caption. | — | — |
| 18 | Safety sign | Zeichen für Sicherheitsteile (1 / 0) | 1 for a safety-relevant part: the label then shows a circle with a triangle beside the part number. 0 shows no sign. | — | 1 |
| 19 | Package ID (license plate) | PACKSTÜCK-ID | DI (1J, 5J or 6J), UN, nine-digit DUNS number and nine-digit serial number. Printed as UN 987654321 000123456, with the DI in brackets. | Code 128 and DataMatrix (DI 1J, 5J or 6J) | 22 incl. DI |
| 20 | Packaging type | PACKMITTELTYP | Code of the container in your customer's codification, such as 6280RL. | DataMatrix (DI B) | — |
| 21 | Shipment date | VERSANDDATUM | Date of shipment (YYYY-MM-DD), printed with the letter S unless an expiry date is set. Not encoded. | — | 10 |
| 22 | Expiry date | VERFALLDATUM | Use-by date; when set, the label prints it instead of the other dates, with the letter E. Encoded with the time 23:59. | DataMatrix (DI 14D) | 10 |
| 23 | Production date | PRODUKTIONSDATUM | Printed with P only when neither of the other dates is set; the template needs at least one of the three. Encoded with 00:00. | DataMatrix (DI 16D) | 10 |
| 24 | Batch number | CHARGENNUMMER | Batch or lot number of the parts. ZF Lifetec (2026) wants it in every master label's DataMatrix. | DataMatrix (DI 1T) | — |
| 25 | Number of inner packages | ANZAHL INNERE PACKMITTEL | Packages on the load unit; printed on M and MIX labels only. | — | — |
| 26 | Parts generation, hardware and software status | TEILEGENERATIONS- / HARDWARE- / SOFTWARESTAND | Three versions in one line, printed on S labels only; the DataMatrix carries them on every label type when filled. | DataMatrix (DI 2P, 20P, 21P) | — |
| 27 | Supplier data | LIEFERANTENSPEZIFISCHE DATEN | Free field for your own use; when filled, it also prints as a second DataMatrix holding the same text. | Own DataMatrix (no DI) | — |
| 28 | Customer data (PCI+16) | Kundendaten (PCI+16) L1 | Up to five lines of your customer's data, printed as text at the bottom right; not together with PCI+3 lines. | — | 25 per line |
| 29 | Customer data (PCI+3) | Kundendaten (PCI+3) L1 | Up to ten lines that go into a third DataMatrix instead of text; not together with PCI+16 lines. | Own DataMatrix (DI 11Z–20Z) | 35 per line |
All VDA 4994 templates
Four sizes, each with German or English captions. Inputs, rules and barcode data are the same in both languages; KLT2 prints fewer fields as text.
| Template | Size | Use | Open in the generator |
|---|---|---|---|
| VDA 4994 (Deutsch) A5 | A5, landscape | German A5 label (210 × 148 mm) with all blocks, the safety sign and up to three DataMatrix symbols. | Open in the generator › |
| VDA 4994 (Deutsch) A6 | A6, landscape | German A6 label (148 × 105 mm) with the same inputs as A5 and a 0.4 mm DataMatrix module. | Open in the generator › |
| VDA 4994 (Deutsch) KLT1 | 210 × 74 mm, landscape | German KLT1 label (210 × 74 mm) for small load carriers; all A5 inputs except the receiver's street. | Open in the generator › |
| VDA 4994 (Deutsch) KLT2 | 210 × 42 mm, landscape | German KLT2 label (210 × 42 mm) for flat containers; ship-from address, weights and label type are not printed. | Open in the generator › |
| VDA 4994 (English) A5 | A5, landscape | English captions (SHIP FROM, SHIP TO, PACKAGE-ID) on the A5 label; inputs and barcodes as in German. | Open in the generator › |
| VDA 4994 (English) A6 | A6, landscape | English A6 label (148 × 105 mm) with the A5 inputs and captions such as CUSTOMER PART NUMBER. | Open in the generator › |
| VDA 4994 (English) KLT1 | 210 × 74 mm, landscape | English KLT1 label (210 × 74 mm) for small load carriers, without the receiver's street. | Open in the generator › |
| VDA 4994 (English) KLT2 | 210 × 42 mm, landscape | English KLT2 label (210 × 42 mm), captioned SHIP FROM ID, PART NUMBER and QUANTITY. | Open in the generator › |
Frequently asked questions
Learn more about VDA 4994.
What is the difference between VDA 4902 and VDA 4994?
Is VDA 4994 the same as the Global Transport Label?
Do I need a DUNS number for a VDA 4994 label?
What size is a VDA 4994 label?
Can I print the VDA 4994 label in English?
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