Recently, we encountered a unique request while discussing an RFID-based solution with our client. The client said why can’t we use the TID (the tag identifier) within the RFID chip, as set by the manufacturer, instead of the usual programmable EPC to uniquely identify their products throughout the supply chain.
The request was unique as we had never encountered it from a CEO of a leading business with a global footprint. The idea was to avoid programming the RFID tag for all the manufactured products, with hundreds of SKUs and millions of items.
We have been in the RFID business for long enough to know that it is not practical. Here’s what we explained to the client:
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5 Reasons Why Using EPC is Better Than TID in RFID Asset Tracking
Electronic Product Code (EPC) is similar to UPC and EAN, and it is programmable to display unique item details (say, Zara Jeans, Blue, XL). It typically consists of 24 characters (0-9, and A, B, C, D, E, F), and it can be read and written multiple times, unlike the TID.
EPCglobal is the global body established to create UHF RFID Gen 2 V2 standards and communication protocols, and ensures that EPC is adopted for product identification and tracking worldwide.
Let’s see 5 reasons why you should be using EPC and not TID for RFID-based item-level tracking.
1. Massive Performance Slowdown with TID
a. Reader Optimization: RFID readers are hardware-optimized to scan the EPC bank by default. To read a TID, the reader must send a specific secondary command to every single tag it finds.
b. Bulk Scanning Bottleneck: In a warehouse where you are scanning 500 items at once, reading TIDs can take 2-5 times longer than reading EPCs. This often makes high-speed conveyor or portal scanning impossible.
2. Zero Business Intelligence with TID
a. Meaningless Numbers: A TID is a raw hardware serial number (e.g., E28011912000...) that tells you nothing about the product but the RFID chip only. In popular RFID tag chips from Impinj (M730, M750, M780, M830, M850, etc.) you’d see a TID of 96-bits.
b. EPC Context: An EPC encodes a Global Trade Item Number (GTIN), allowing any reader in the supply chain to immediately know the item is a "Blue Shirt, Size Large" without needing to access your private database. EPC memory size varies from 96 bits (M750) to 128-bits (M730) and 496 bits (M780).
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3. Database Management Nightmare
a. Pre-registration Requirement: Since you cannot choose the TID, you must scan every single tag before applying it to a product to record which TID belongs to which item.
b. EPC Flexibility: With EPC, you can decide the ID at the time of labelling. If a tag is damaged, you simply program a new one with the same EPC. If you use TID and a tag breaks, you must update your entire database with the new hardware ID.
4. Software Incompatibility
Most off-the-shelf Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and ERPs are hard-coded to look for the EPC. Forcing these systems to use the TID bank often requires expensive custom software development.
5. Interoperability issues with TID
If you ship goods to a partner (like Amazon or Walmart), their systems will search for an EPC. If your tags only have tracking data in the TID bank, their readers will essentially see them as "empty" or "unknown" items.
When SHOULD you use the TID?
In 2026, the best practice is to use both in a "Dual-Verification" setup:
1.EPC: Use for high-speed inventory and tracking.
2. TID: Use as a "fingerprint" to verify that the tag is genuine and hasn't been cloned or swapped (Anti-Counterfeiting). TID has proven to be a great tool in preventing counterfeiting and enforcing anti-counterfeiting checks.
3. Chip-Level Uniqueness: For most modern tags following the GS1 EPC Gen2 (ISO 18000-6C) standard, the TID is designed to be a globally unique, factory-locked identifier. It typically includes a manufacturer code and a specific serial number assigned during production.
Exceptions to keep in Mind while using TID
1.Standard Choice: Uniqueness depends on the manufacturer. Some cheaper or older chips might only have a "Short TID," which identifies the chip type but not necessarily the individual unit.
2. Lack of Global Registry: There is no universal mandatory registry for all manufacturers. In theory, two different manufacturers could accidentally issue the same TID, though leading manufacturers avoid this.
3. Clone Tags: High-end counterfeiters can produce "emulator" tags that mimic a specific TID, meaning the ID is no longer unique in a malicious environment.
Why Track with EPC instead of TID?
Even though TIDs are largely unique, they are rarely used for primary tracking for several practical reasons:
a. Business Relevance: The EPC (Electronic Product Code) identifies the product (e.g., "Box of Cereal #102"), whereas the TID only identifies the silicon chip in the RFID tag.
b. Flexibility: EPCs are rewritable. If a tag is repurposed or a shipping container is reused, the EPC can be changed to reflect the new contents, while the TID is permanently fixed.
c. System Performance: RFID readers are optimized to broadcast the EPC bank first during "anti-collision" scans. Reading a TID often requires a specific secondary command, which can significantly slow down bulk-scanning operations in a warehouse.
d. Standardization: EPC follows a global GS1 format (Manager Code, Object Class, etc.) that ensures different companies can read the same tag without needing the original manufacturer's private chip database.
Current 2026 Best Practice for Using TIDs and EPCs
Many organizations now use a Dual Verification approach, using the EPC for high-speed tracking and the TID as a hidden "hardware fingerprint" to verify the tag's authenticity and prevent cloning.
To summarize, TIDs (tag identifiers) are fixed by manufacturers and cannot be rewritten. These IDs for RFID chips in the tags are unique, and that’s why it seems like a good idea to use them for product identification. It saves on additional cost and effort to programme for EPCs; however, TIDs for product level identification are impractical in cases where bulk-scanning is required and where anti-counterfeiting is not a major requirement.
EPC (Electronic Product Code) is therefore designed to be the global product identifier, on the lines of UPC and EAN. It is programmable and can be created to be unique for each and every asset on the planet. The 96-bit or 128-bit EPC memory bank is most suitable for carrying product-level identification, can be read by the entire supply chain, and offers added information on tagged goods. Moreover, most RFID readers by default are programmed to look for EPC while scanning RFID-tagged products.
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