The acronym SSCC refers almost exclusively to the Serial Shipping Container Code in the context of business and global trade. This standardized numerical system is fundamental to modern supply chain management and tracking, providing a unified method for organizing freight movement across diverse logistical networks. Understanding the SSCC is the first step toward grasping how companies manage the flow of goods from a manufacturer’s facility to a final destination.
Defining the Serial Shipping Container Code
The Serial Shipping Container Code is a unique, 18-digit number assigned to a logistical unit, such as a pallet, a carton, or a shipping container, for the purpose of transportation and storage. This identification standard is maintained and governed by GS1, the global organization that develops and maintains business communication standards. The purpose of the SSCC is to provide a single point of reference for tracking the entire logistical unit throughout the supply chain.
The SSCC identifies the unit of shipment itself, not the specific products contained within it. For instance, a pallet loaded with 50 boxes of a single product will have one SSCC, while the product inside each box would be identified by a different code, such as a Global Trade Item Number (GTIN). This distinction allows businesses to handle and track large, consolidated shipments efficiently without needing to scan every single item. The 18-digit code ensures global uniqueness, meaning no two logistical units in the world will share the same SSCC, preventing confusion during transit and receipt.
Why the SSCC is Essential for Logistics
Using the SSCC significantly improves supply chain visibility by providing a consistent identifier that remains with the shipment from the moment it is built until it is broken down at the receiving end. This single number enables accurate tracking of the entire unit across multiple carriers, warehouses, and geographical locations. The unified system minimizes human errors that often occur during the manual recording or transcription of shipping information.
When a shipment arrives at a distribution center, scanning the single SSCC barcode allows for immediate processing of the entire unit, eliminating the time-consuming need to count and verify individual packages. This automated processing capability reduces labor costs and accelerates the throughput in shipping and receiving docks. Furthermore, the standardized tracking helps businesses quickly locate specific shipments, which is beneficial when managing inventory or responding to product recalls.
Understanding the Structure of the SSCC
The 18-digit structure of the Serial Shipping Container Code is systematically organized to ensure uniqueness and compatibility with global systems. Each component of the code serves a distinct function in identifying the issuing company and the specific logistical unit. The overall length is fixed at 18 digits to maintain uniformity across all GS1-compliant systems.
The SSCC is built from several distinct parts that are interpreted by scanning software in a specific sequence:
- Application Identifier (AI): A two-digit prefix, typically “00,” which universally designates the number that follows as an SSCC.
- Extension Digit: A single digit assigned by the company creating the SSCC, which helps increase the total number of unique codes available.
- GS1 Company Prefix: A variable-length number assigned by a GS1 Member Organization, which globally identifies the company responsible for the logistical unit.
- Serial Reference: A sequence of digits assigned by the company that makes the SSCC unique to a specific logistical unit.
- Check Digit: The final, single digit calculated using a specific algorithm based on all the preceding digits, ensuring the accuracy and integrity of the code upon scanning.
How the SSCC is Used in the Supply Chain
The SSCC is physically represented by a linear barcode, most commonly the GS1-128 symbology, or sometimes a two-dimensional data matrix, which is printed on a label and affixed to the logistical unit. The physical label serves as the link between the tangible shipment and the electronic information systems managing the supply chain.
A primary application of the SSCC is its inclusion in the Advanced Shipping Notice (ASN), an electronic data interchange (EDI) message transmitted from the shipper to the receiver before the goods arrive. The ASN details the contents of the shipment and includes the SSCC, allowing the receiving party to electronically prepare for the incoming freight. When the truck arrives, scanning the SSCC barcode on the unit instantly validates the entire shipment against the previously received ASN data.
Warehouse management systems (WMS) heavily rely on SSCC scanning for immediate receipt confirmation and accurate inventory management. When the shipment is received, the WMS uses the SSCC to update inventory records, confirming what was ordered and what arrived without manual counting. This process streamlines the receiving dock operation and ensures that inventory is accurately reflected in the system.
Other Common Meanings of SSCC
While the Serial Shipping Container Code is the universally accepted meaning in the context of logistics, business, and commerce, the acronym SSCC may stand for other things in different, unrelated fields. For example, some regional organizations or specific educational institutions may use the letters SSCC to represent their names, such as a “Student Success and Career Center” or a local committee. These alternative meanings are generally isolated to their specific domains. For any professional involved in the movement of goods, inventory control, or supply chain insights, the Serial Shipping Container Code remains the sole and relevant meaning.