FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: [ Back ] [ Up ] [ Next ]

Clarifying the difference between the 14 digit SCC and the 18 digit SSCC

Answer: It’s easy to get confused between the 14 digit Shipping Container Code (SCC-14) and the 18 digit Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC-18) because their names are similar and both can be applied to the outside of shipping containers.

The SCC-14 and the SSCC-18 are both applied to cartons and shipping containers but they serve two different purposes. The SCC-14 is assigned to a particular product and package quantity. All identical products in the same package quantity are assigned the same number. The SCC-14 number means a specific product and package quantity.

Scanning the SCC-14 identifies the product and quantity but not which purchase order it should be applied against. The SCC-14 number can be printed as soon as the product is manufactured without regard for who it is going to or the need to link a particular carton to a particular purchase order. All cartons containing the same product and the same package quantity will have the same SCC-14.

The SSCC-18, on the other hand, is different for each carton and shipping container, regardless of its contents. The SSCC-18 can be applied in addition to the SCC-14 or, if the customer allows it, instead of the SCC-14. The SSCC-18 is especially useful for tracking cartons containing custom quantities of mixed products. The SSCC-18 is normally not printed until the customer and destination for that particular carton is known. Generally, this means printing after the picking process and before the shipping process.

IBCA  Phone: 215.489.1722  Email: kelleyt@quadii.com

© 2005 Integrated Business Communications Alliance