GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 26, 2026
Standard Carrier Alpha Codes
Unlike internal company identifiers, the Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC) is a two- to four-character alphanumeric code that uniquely identifies a freight carrier – trucking company, ocean carrier, airline, or railroad – across all systems in the supply chain.
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Source: https://www.nmfta.org/pages/scac
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Definition & Explanation
Unlike internal company identifiers, the Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC) is a two- to four-character alphanumeric code that uniquely identifies a freight carrier – trucking company, ocean carrier, airline, or railroad – across all systems in the supply chain. SCACs are issued by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA). The code appears on bills of lading, freight labels, and EDI transactions, giving every party an unambiguous carrier reference without manual lookup. In North America, SCACs are effectively mandatory for LTL and TL carriers and are required by many shippers and customs authorities for freight processing. Ocean carriers and airlines operating internationally use comparable coding schemes, often following a similar format.
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