GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 23, 2026
Digital Labeling for Cargo Tracking
Digital labeling for cargo tracking is a method of attaching machine-readable carriers – barcodes, QR codes, or RFID tags – to shipments so that every stage of their journey through the supply chain is automatically recorded.
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Source: https://www.gs1.org/standards/digital-link
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Digital labeling for cargo tracking is a method of attaching machine-readable carriers – barcodes, QR codes, or RFID tags – to shipments so that every stage of their journey through the supply chain is automatically recorded. Each scan at pickup, transhipment, or delivery writes a data point to the system, giving shippers, forwarders, customs authorities, and consignees real-time access to location and status. Compared with paper labels, digital variants are harder to falsify, fully automatable, and directly linked to track-and-trace platforms. IATA regulations require machine-readable labeling in air freight; in road transport, barcodes and QR codes on accompanying documents such as the CMR are standard practice.
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