Demystify the SSCC label: Learn what Serial Shipping Container Codes are and why they're vital for efficient shipping and streamlining supply chain operations.
Every shipment matters, and even minor tracking errors can lead to delays, lost packages, and extra costs. Fortunately, the SSCC label (Serial Shipping Container Code) keeps shipments organized and traceable. It’s a digital passport for logistics that ensures accurate tracking and prevention of costly mistakes before they happen.
In this guide, we’ll explain what an SSCC barcode label is, how it works, and its benefits. You'll also learn to create your own SSCC code and how to integrate it with your EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) system for better logistics management.
What Is an SSCC (Serial Shipping Container Code) Label?
An SSCC (Serial Shipping Container Code) label is a unique 18-digit barcode identifier that tracks shipping containers throughout the supply chain. Each code is used only once and contains your company prefix, serial reference, and check digit—making every shipment uniquely traceable from origin to destination. It’s an essential part of the SSCC GS1 system, a globally recognized standard that ensures smooth supply chain operations and allows businesses to monitor freight movement from the point of origin to the final destination. Its barcode format makes it easy to scan and process at various checkpoints.
Each SSCC number is assigned to a single shipment and must never be reused. Reusing SSCCs can cause tracking errors, misrouted shipments, and confusion in warehouse systems. Keeping each shipment’s SSCC unique helps maintain accurate and reliable shipping records.
How Do SSCC Labels Work?
SSCC labels play an important role in logistics. They contain essential shipment details in a standardized SSCC format for seamless communication between supply chain partners. Each SSCC label includes:
A machine-readable barcode: The barcode allows automated systems to scan and retrieve shipment data quickly.
A human-readable SSCC number: This number lets logistics personnel manually verify shipment information if needed.
Other essential information: The label may include sender and recipient details, shipping date, and additional reference numbers to aid tracking.
Understanding the Structure of an SSCC Label
The SSCC-18 barcode consists of multiple elements that ensure its uniqueness and functionality. Here’s an example of an SSCC Label:
(00) 1 123456789012345678
Application Identifier (AI): The (00) at the beginning designates this number as an SSCC.
Extension Digit:The single 1 provides additional numbering capacity, allowing companies to generate more unique SSCCs within the same GS1 Company Prefix and Serial Reference.
GS1 Company Prefix: The 123456 identifies the company, as assigned by GS1, the global organization that sets barcode standards for supply chain operations.
Serial Reference: The 78901234567 is a unique number selected by the company to differentiate each SSCC.
Check Digit:The final 8 is a check digit, calculated using the GS1 Modulo 10 algorithm to verify the SSCC’s accuracy. It ensures that the code is correctly structured and prevents errors during scanning or data entry.
Benefits of SSCC Barcodes
Using SSCC labels has several advantages in supply chain management. They allow for:
Increased supply chain traceability by enabling real-time tracking of shipments across global supply chains.
Better inventory management efficiency, which reduces errors in stock levels and improves inventory accuracy.
Enhanced logistics and streamlined operations because they speed up processing times at warehouses, shipping docks, and distribution centers.
Stronger supply chain partner collaboration by providing a standardized way to share shipment data with partners and customers.
Enhanced compliance with standards and regulations because they ensure adherence to GS1 standards, reducing compliance risks.
How to Create Your Own SSCC Labels
Creating an SSCC barcode label is a straightforward process. Here are the steps:
Register with GS1: To generate an SSCC, you first need a GS1 Company Prefix. You can apply for the prefix on GS1 website.
Generate a unique serial reference: Each shipment must have a different serial reference number. This ensures that every SSCC is unique and doesn’t repeat. The serial reference can be a sequential number or follow a specific pattern your company uses for tracking shipments.
Use barcode generation software: Once you have your GS1 Company Prefix and serial reference, you need to format them correctly to create an SSCC barcode. Many software tools, like Orderful, allow you to input these details and generate a GS1-compliant SSCC format. Label-printing software can also help automate this process.
Print the SSCC label: After generating the barcode, print it on a high-quality label. The label must be clear, scannable, and durable to remain readable throughout shipping. Make sure the barcode size and layout comply with GS1 label formatting rules.
Attach the SSCC label to your shipment: Finally, place the label in a visible and accessible location on your shipping container or pallet. Proper placement ensures logistics personnel can quickly scan and process your shipment at checkpoints.
Following these steps ensures that your SSCC barcode labels are correctly formatted, easy to scan, and compliant with industry standards.
SSCC Labels and EDI
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is a technology that allows businesses to exchange shipment information digitally. When combined with SSCC labels, EDI significantly improves supply chain efficiency by automating data sharing and reducing the risk of manual errors.
Here’s how EDI and SSCC labels work together to optimize logistics:
Automated data exchange: Instead of relying on paper-based tracking, EDI electronically transmits shipment details, including SSCC information, to supply chain partners. This way, all stakeholders have up-to-date data on shipments.
Advanced shipping notices (ASNs):An ASN is an electronic document that provides detailed shipment information before goods arrive at their destination. By including SSCC numbers in ASNs, businesses enable their partners to anticipate deliveries efficiently, prepare for unloading, and update inventory records.
Enhanced shipment visibility: When an SSCC label is scanned, EDI systems instantly update shipment statuses, allowing businesses to track freight movements in real-time. This transparency helps prevent delays, improve coordination, and ensure smoother logistics operations.
Improved accuracy and compliance: EDI minimizes human errors in data entry and ensures compliance with GS1 standards. This is particularly important for industries with strict regulations, such as healthcare and food distribution.
By integrating SSCC labels with EDI, businesses can significantly improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance overall supply chain performance.
SSCC Labels by Industry
Retail and E-Commerce
Retailers use SSCC labels to track pallets and containers moving from distribution centers to stores. When a shipment arrives, staff scan the SSCC barcode to instantly verify contents against purchase orders and update inventory systems. This speeds up receiving processes and reduces stock discrepancies. Major retailers require suppliers to include SSCC labels on all shipments to maintain supply chain visibility and ensure accurate shelf replenishment.
Food and Beverage
Food distributors rely on SSCC labels for lot tracking and recall management. Each pallet's unique identifier links to production dates, batch numbers, and expiration information. If a recall occurs, companies can quickly identify affected shipments and trace their exact locations. SSCC labels also help maintain cold chain compliance by documenting temperature-controlled shipments throughout transit, which is critical for perishable goods and regulatory requirements.
Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals
The healthcare industry uses SSCC labels to meet strict regulatory tracking requirements for medical devices and pharmaceuticals. Each container's unique code creates an audit trail from manufacturer to hospital or pharmacy. This traceability is essential for FDA compliance and helps prevent counterfeit products from entering the supply chain. SSCC labels also streamline hospital receiving processes, allowing staff to match shipments against purchase orders automatically.
Manufacturing
Manufacturers implement SSCC labels to support just-in-time inventory systems and track raw materials through production. When components arrive at the factory, scanning the SSCC instantly updates material requirements planning (MRP) systems. This real-time visibility helps optimize production schedules and reduces excess inventory costs. SSCC labels on outbound finished goods also enable manufacturers to provide customers with accurate delivery tracking and advanced shipping notices.
Make Your Barcodes Compliant With Orderful
SSCC labels are critical in modern shipping and logistics, ensuring shipments are accurately tracked, easily identified, and efficiently processed. By providing a standardized system for labeling and scanning, they help businesses reduce errors, improve inventory management, and stay compliant with industry regulations. If you're shipping a single pallet or managing a large-scale distribution network, SSCC labels simplify logistics and enhance supply chain visibility.
With Orderful, generating fully compliant SSCC barcode labels has never been easier. Our label-printing API seamlessly integrates into your workflow, helping you automate shipping processes and eliminate manual errors. By adopting SSCC labels, you’re not just improving shipment tracking — you’re making your entire supply chain smarter and more efficient.
Take control of your logistics today with Orderful and start optimizing your shipping operations!
SSCC Label FAQs
Do SSCC labels expire?
No, SSCC labels do not have an expiration date, but each code can only be used once. After a shipment is delivered and processed, that specific SSCC number should never be reused. Companies must generate a new unique SSCC for every subsequent shipment to maintain accurate tracking records and prevent confusion in logistics systems.
Can I reuse an SSCC number for different shipments?
No, you should never reuse an SSCC number. Each SSCC must be unique to a single shipment or logistics unit. Reusing codes causes serious tracking errors, including misrouted shipments, inventory discrepancies, and compliance violations. Your warehouse management system and trading partners rely on SSCC uniqueness to maintain accurate supply chain visibility.
What is the difference between SSCC and UPC barcodes?
SSCC labels identify shipping containers or pallets, while UPC (Universal Product Code) barcodes identify individual retail products. An SSCC tracks a logistics unit containing multiple products as it moves through the supply chain. A UPC identifies a specific product type at the point of sale. For example, a pallet of cereal boxes would have one SSCC label for the entire pallet, while each individual cereal box has its own UPC barcode.
How much does it cost to get an SSCC?
The cost depends on your GS1 Company Prefix license. Initial GS1 membership fees typically range from $250 to $10,000 annually based on your company's revenue, and this gives you the prefix needed to generate unlimited SSCC numbers. After obtaining your prefix, creating individual SSCC codes is essentially free. You only need barcode generation software or a label printing solution like Orderful to format and print the labels.
Do I need a GS1 Company Prefix to create SSCC labels?
Yes, you need a GS1 Company Prefix to create legitimate, globally recognized SSCC labels. This prefix uniquely identifies your company within the GS1 system and ensures your SSCC codes do not conflict with those generated by other organizations. You can obtain your prefix by registering with your local GS1 member organization. Without an official GS1 Company Prefix, your SSCC labels will not be compliant with industry standards and may be rejected by trading partners.
What happens if an SSCC barcode will not scan?
If an SSCC barcode cannot be scanned, logistics personnel can manually enter the human-readable number printed below the barcode into their system. However, this slows down processing and increases the risk of data entry errors. To prevent scanning issues, ensure labels are printed clearly at the correct size, placed on flat surfaces away from pallet edges, and protected from damage during transit. Using high-quality label materials and verified barcode generation software reduces scanning failures.
Can I generate my own SSCC numbers without software?
While technically possible, generating SSCC numbers manually is not recommended. You must correctly format the 18-digit code, calculate the check digit using the GS1 Modulo 10 algorithm, and ensure no duplicates occur. Manual generation increases error risk and makes it difficult to track which codes have been used. Automated barcode generation software or EDI platforms like Orderful eliminate these issues by validating formats, calculating check digits automatically, and maintaining records of all generated SSCCs.
