A SCAC code, or Standard Carrier Alpha Code, is a unique two-to-four-letter identifier assigned to transportation companies in North America. It is used to identify carriers in freight documents, customs filings, EDI transactions, bills of lading, and tracking systems. Trucking companies, rail carriers, ocean carriers, freight forwarders, and logistics providers may use SCAC codes to standardise communication between shippers, brokers, carriers, terminals, and government agencies.
A SCAC (Standard Carrier Alpha Code) is a unique 2 to 4-letter code assigned by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) to identify transportation companies in shipping documents, EDI transactions, and motor carrier filings.
- Required on bills of lading and EDI transactions for domestic U.S. trucking
- Used by railroads and ocean carriers to identify intermodal operators
- Motor carriers must register for a SCAC code through the NMFTA
- Important for routing guide compliance in B2B retail logistics
For related logistics context, see glossary entries on Bill of Lading (BOL), LTL, B2B Fulfillment, and FCL.
