What is a Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC)?
A Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC) is a unique two-to-four-letter code used to identify transportation companies.
The SCAC is a privately controlled U.S. code used to identify vessel operating common carriers (VOCC) in computer systems and shipping documents such as freight bills, bills of lading, packing lists and purchase orders. The SCAC code can be obtained from the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA).
More about Standard Carrier Alpha Codes
The NMFTA developed the Standard Carrier Alpha Code in the 1960s to computerize transportation information and records. The Automated Manifest System, used by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), also uses SCAC to identify an ocean carrier or self-filing party for electronic import customs clearance.
The SCAC code list can be found on the NMFTA SCAC code lookup website.
SCAC in EDI and carrier compliance
The SCAC is widely used in electronic data interchange (EDI) transactions, where it serves as a consistent carrier identifier across systems and trading partners. In carrier compliance workflows, the SCAC code helps validate that a carrier's credentials—including insurance and operating authority—are current before a shipment is tendered.
Carrier data that pays off
How technology uses SCAC
The SCAC code is used throughout transportation management systems from procurement to rating, carrier management and fleet management. Because the SCAC uniquely identifies the carrier, it has broad applications within a TMS:
In procurement, it identifies the carrier that has submitted a response to a request for proposal (RFP) for rates
In rating, the TMS uses the SCAC to identify the proper carrier and applicable rates
In carrier management, the SCAC is used for tendering to the proper carrier and validating that the carrier has the necessary credentials—including proper insurance and hours of operation—as confirmed through external carrier validation systems