Standard carrier alpha code

Scope

The NMFTA assigns SCACs for all companies except those codes used for identification of freight containers not operating exclusively in North America, intermodal chassis and trailers, non-railroad owned rail cars, and railroads.

The SCAC is also the recognized transportation company identification code used in the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Accredited Standards Committee (ASC) X12 and United Nations EDIFACT approved electronic data interchange (EDI) transaction sets such as the 856 Advance Ship Notice, the 850 Purchase Order and all motor, rail, and water carrier transactions where carrier identification is required.

Regulatory citations

• 49 CFR 373.101 — For-hire, non-exempt motor carrier bills of lading

Key definitions

• Bill of lading: The bill of lading is an agreement between a shipper and a carrier governing their relationship with respect to the transportation of goods. It is the contract of carriage. As a contract, it names the parties involved and locations, defines the specific rate or charge for the transportation, and provides information regarding the limits of the carrier’s liability for damaged or lost goods. A contract carrier that has a specific agreement with a shipper is not required to use a bill of lading under 373.101.
• National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA): A nonprofit membership organization headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia. Its membership is comprised of motor carriers operating in interstate, intrastate and foreign commerce.
• Pre-Arrival Processing (PAPS) system number: Assigned to all shipments requiring pre-arrival clearance. All PAPS shipments have a unique barcoded label or PAPS number that the carrier attaches to the truck eManifest and shipping invoice. A PAPS number contains the carrier’s Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC), the bill of lading or Pro-Bill number (northern border) or filer code, and entry number (southern border).
• Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC): A system that assigns unique two-to-four letter codes to transportation companies for identification purposes developed by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA).
• Uniform Intermodal Interchange Agreement (UIIA): The only standard industry contract that outlines the rules for the interchange of equipment between intermodal trucking companies and equipment providers (ocean carriers, railroads & equipment leasing companies).

Summary of requirements

The SCAC is required for:

• Tariffs filed with the Surface Transportation Board (STB).
• The U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Automated Commercial Environment (ACE), Automated Manifest (AMS) and Pre-Arrival Processing (PAPS) Systems.
• Doing business with all U.S. Government agencies and with many commercial shippers including, but not limited to, those in the automobile, petroleum, forest products, and chemical industries as well as suppliers to retail businesses and carriers engaged in railroad piggyback trailer and ocean container drayage.
• Carriers using the Uniform Intermodal Interchange Agreement (UIIA).

Carriers may apply for one SCAC for each mode of operation. A carrier holding both a motor carrier MC number and a freight forwarder FF number may obtain an SCAC for each operation.

Certain groups of SCACs are reserved for specific purposes:

• Codes ending with the letter “U” are reserved for the identification of freight containers.
• Codes ending with the letter “X” are reserved for the identification of privately owned railroad cars.
• Codes ending with the letter “Z” are reserved for the identification of truck chassis and trailers used in intermodal service.

The Standard Carrier Alpha Codes are published by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc., in the Directory of Standard Carrier Alpha Codes (SCAC). The Directory is updated on a quarterly basis, is reissued annually, and is available for purchase if you need to look up carriers SCACs. The SCAC data is also available via an online search engine on the internet through SCAC Online but requires an annual subscription.

The SCAC remains valid through July 1 of the following year and must be renewed on an annual basis. A renewal notice is sent approximately 30 days in advance of the renewal due date.

An all-digital upgrade known as SCAC 2.0, effective April 10, 2023, will allow carriers to manage their codes directly online without NFMTA support.

Applications are available online at https://secure.nmfta.org/Welcome.aspx.

Contact the NMFTA at (703) 838-1831 with any questions.