The SCAC Code is essential for any carrier or transport company wanting to move cargo in and out of the US. In this blog, you’ll find out why the SCAC code is so useful, as well as how to get one.
The SCAC code is used as an identification number for carriers moving goods through the United States. Without this code, you won’t be able to pass Customs and Border Control. The SCAC code also helps to automate your operations by registering all of your shipping documentsWhat are shipping documents? In shipping, shipping documents are documents that provide information about the goods being shipped. They may include information such as the origin and destination of th… More in one place online. So you can track the whereabouts of your containers hassle-free.
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What is a SCAC Code?
The Standard Carrier Alpha Code (or SCAC Code) is a unique two to four-letter code used to identify vessel operating common carriers (VOCC) in computer systems and shipping documentsWhat are shipping documents? In shipping, shipping documents are documents that provide information about the goods being shipped. They may include information such as the origin and destination of th… More. This includes your freight bills, bills of lading, packing lists, and purchase orders.
SCAC Code was developed in the 1960s by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) to computerize information and records. With the help of SCAC code you and your stakeholders don’t have to courier documents back-and-forth. If your computer system is optimized to use SCAC codes, you can access them with just a click.
Now that your documents are available quickly and easily, you can track your shipments at every stage of the journey. This makes keeping up-to-date with the whereabouts of containers so seamless that SCAC codes have become mandatory in the US. Today, the SCAC code is used to monitor transportation companies across road, rail, and sea.
Who needs a SCAC Code?
The SCAC code is primarily used by the US government agencies, including the Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The code helps Customs to monitor carriers entering and exiting the country, as well as access important information about them. Thus, all carriers crossing the US border need a SCAC code to identify themselves correctly.
In fact, the SCAC code is required by all transportation companies doing business with US government agencies. Let’s understand this using an example.
Let’s say you import coconut milk to the US. To get your coconut milk across the border, you have to provide your carrier’s SCAC code to the US authorities. In this case, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and CBP.
The FDA will track the shipment to inspect coconut milk for contamination, bioterrorism, and public health emergencies. The CBP will use your SCAC code to clear the shipment from Customs.
Many commercial shippers also use the SCAC code for freight bill audits and payment systems. This code is used in the automobile, petroleum, forestry, railroad and ocean container industries, among others.
SCAC groups for specific purposes
Certain groups of SCACs denote specific types of companies.
- Codes ending with ‘U’ indicate freight containers.
- Codes ending with ‘X’ indicate privately owned railroad cars.
- Codes ending with ‘Z’ indicate truck chassisWhat is a chassis? Chassis, in freight & logistics, refers to a skeleton framework with wheels on it used to move containers. It is also called intermodal chassis or container chassis. Similar to … More and trailers used in intermodal service.
SCAC Code list: How to check code for your carrier
SCAC codes for carriers are easily available online. Let’s take a look at the SCAC codes for some of the biggest international carriers now.
Carrier Name / Abbreviation Carrier Name SCAC Code CMA CGM Compagnie Maritime d’Affrètement Compagnie Generale Maritime CMDU COSCO COSCO Container Lines COSU Emirates Emirates Shipping Line ESPU Evergreen Evergreen Line EGLV Hamburg Süd Hamburg Süd SUDU Hapag Lloyd Hapag Lloyd Container Line HLCU K+N Kuehne + Nagel International AG KHNN Maersk Maersk Line MAEU Matson Matson Inc MATS MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company MSCU OOCL Orient Overseas Container Line OOLU PIL Pacific International Lines PCIU ZIM ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd ZIMU
NOTE: SCAC codes may be subject to change without notice. To check for the up-to-date code of your carrier, you can enquire with the carrier directly or subscribe to the SCAC online data product by NMFTA.
Now that we have an idea of what a SCAC code is, let’s find out how it’s used in the shipping industry.