Guides · Barcode formats
SSCC Explained: The Serial Shipping Container Code
Every pallet and shipping carton in retail supply chains carries its own 18-digit number. It lets you track a shipment from the shipper all the way to the receiver’s warehouse.
Key takeaways
- The SSCC (Serial Shipping Container Code) is a globally unique 18-digit number for one individual shipping unit, such as a pallet or a carton.
- It’s printed on the GS1-128 logistics label, often still called a UCC-128 label in the US.
- It’s encoded with the application identifier (00) as a GS1-128 barcode on the logistics label.
- Each SSCC may only be assigned once. The shipper creates it from its own GS1 company prefix, which in the US is licensed from GS1 US.
What is an SSCC?
While a GTIN identifies a product, meaning every bottle of the same kind carries the same number, the SSCC identifies one specific physical unit. Two pallets with identical contents have two different SSCCs.
In retail, the SSCC links the goods to the electronic advance ship notice: the supplier sends an EDI 856 ASN in advance, stating which SSCC has which contents. At receiving, the retailer only needs to scan the SSCC barcode and instantly knows what’s on the pallet.
Tip: You can skip the spreadsheet reconciliation if you load the list into the Inventory mode of Scan2List first. Then the app compares while you take photos and shows you what is missing, where the quantity is off and what is not on the list. Check receiving with the app ›
How the 18 digits are structured
Using the example 306141410000000013:
| Part | In the example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Extension digit | 3 | Freely chosen (0–9); expands the number range |
| GS1 company prefix | 0614141 | Identifies the shipper. Length depends on the size of the number block, typically 7 to 10 digits. |
| Serial reference | 000000001 | Assigned sequentially by the shipper |
| Check digit | 3 | Calculated with the GS1 modulo 10 method |
The check digit is calculated the same way as for a UPC or EAN-13: starting from the right, the digits are weighted alternately by 3 and 1 and added up. The check digit brings the sum up to the next multiple of 10. Our check digit calculator uses the same method.
What an SSCC label looks like
The GS1 logistics label is usually about 4 × 6 inches (or A5/A6 outside the US) and has three sections:
- Top: free-form information, e.g. ship-from and ship-to addresses, logo
- Middle: human-readable data such as the SSCC, GTIN of the contents, quantity, lot number, best-before date
- Bottom: the barcodes in GS1-128 format. The SSCC barcode is always at the very bottom.
In the human-readable text, the number usually appears with the AI in parentheses: (00) 3 0614141 000000001 3. The parentheses are only for readability and are not part of the barcode.
Who needs SSCC labels?
- Suppliers to big-box retailers and grocery chains that work with EDI and advance ship notices
- Manufacturers that ship to wholesalers or third-party logistics (3PL) providers
- Online sellers shipping goods to fulfillment centers (Amazon also requires shipping labels with a unique identifier for FBA pallets)
- Logistics providers that need end-to-end shipment tracking
To create your own SSCCs, you need a GS1 company prefix. Without one, you can’t assign valid SSCCs.
Capture SSCCs fast at receiving
When several pallets or a stack of cartons arrive at once, scanning each label individually takes time. With Scan2List: Inventory Scanner, you photograph the visible labels and the app reads all the Code 128 and GS1-128 barcodes in the photo at the same time. You export the list of SSCCs as a CSV and compare it in Excel with the ASN or the purchase order. It’s no substitute for real-time posting in your ERP, but it’s very handy for a quick check that everything has arrived.
Frequently asked questions
Is SSCC the same as NVE?
Yes. NVE (Nummer der Versandeinheit) is simply the German name for the SSCC. In the US, you’ll also see SSCC labels referred to as GS1-128 pallet labels or UCC-128 labels.
How many digits does an SSCC have?
An SSCC always has 18 digits. With the application identifier (00) in front, the barcode contains 20 digits.
Can an SSCC be reused?
Under GS1 rules, an assigned SSCC should not be reused for at least one year, and some industries require longer periods. The safest approach is sequential assignment without reuse.
What’s the difference between an SSCC and a GTIN?
The GTIN identifies a product, i.e. a type of item. The SSCC identifies one individual shipping unit, such as a specific pallet. A logistics label often shows both.