What is a SCAC code?
The carrier code on bills of lading, appointments and gate logs: who issues it, how long it lasts, and how it differs from the letters on a container.
Reviewed October 2026
Short answer: A SCAC (Standard Carrier Alpha Code) is a unique two-to-four-letter code that identifies a transportation company in electronic systems, documents and regulatory filings (NMFTA). The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) is the only issuer, and a SCAC has to be renewed every year to stay active (NMFTA). At a warehouse gate, it's the standard way to write down which carrier brought the trailer.
Where you see a SCAC
NMFTA describes the SCAC as the freight industry's universal carrier identifier. It shows up in transportation management systems, in load tendering and dispatch, and in contracts and bills of lading, where it names the carrier responsible for a shipment (NMFTA, About SCAC). In ocean and intermodal work it is also used in port and terminal workflows, EDI transactions and tariff publications (NMFTA, maritime and intermodal).
For a receiving warehouse, that means the SCAC is usually already on the paperwork the driver hands over and on the appointment. Writing the same code in your gate log lets you match the truck to the appointment and the bill of lading without guessing from a company nickname.
Who needs one
According to NMFTA, you likely need a SCAC if you operate as a motor carrier (Class 8 or Non-Class 8), work with shippers, brokers or 3PLs that require one for onboarding, haul freight tendered through a TMS or load platform, support government freight such as USPS contract work, or work in systems that require a standard carrier identifier (NMFTA, Do I need a SCAC?). Many maritime, port and intermodal workflows use it too, and requirements vary by partner and system.
A SCAC is not a license. For ocean carriers and intermediaries, NMFTA notes that FMC licensing or registration is regulated separately by the Federal Maritime Commission (NMFTA).
SCAC vs the letters on a container
This is a common mix-up at the gate. The four letters painted on an intermodal container are not the carrier's SCAC. They come from a different registry, run by a different body.
| SCAC | Container owner code (BIC) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it identifies | The transportation company (the carrier) | The owner or main operator of the container |
| Who issues it | NMFTA | BIC (Bureau International des Containers), under ISO 6346 |
| Format | 2 to 4 letters | 3-letter owner code plus a fourth letter for the equipment, then a 6-digit serial number and a check digit, for example BICU 123456 5 |
| Where you see it | Bills of lading, appointments, TMS and EDI records | Painted on the container itself |
| How long it lasts | Renewed every year | Registered with BIC |
Sources: NMFTA, About SCAC, NMFTA, maritime and intermodal, BIC, what is a BIC code.
The company that owns a container and the trucking company hauling it through your gate can be two different companies, so a good gate record keeps both: the carrier's SCAC and the full container or trailer number. You can check a container number's check digit with the free ISO 6346 calculator.
How to check a SCAC
NMFTA's official lookup is SCAC Verified, formerly called SCAC Online. It shows whether a SCAC is active and, where applicable, whether it reflects verified status (NMFTA). Because SCACs are renewed yearly, an expired code may no longer be recognized as active by shippers, brokers, 3PLs, platforms or government systems. NMFTA sends reminders 90, 60 and 30 days before a SCAC expires (NMFTA).
NMFTA now also requires identity verification for Non-Class 8 carriers when a SCAC is issued or renewed. It confirms identity, not operations or authority, and Class 8 carriers are not affected in this phase (NMFTA).
Recording the SCAC at the gate
- Write the SCAC on every check-in row, not a nickname like "the blue trucks". Nicknames don't match anything on the bill of lading.
- If the truck has an appointment, match the SCAC on the paperwork to the one on the appointment before the truck moves past the gate.
- Record the container or trailer number separately. Don't treat its first four letters as the carrier.
- When a carrier you don't know shows up, look the code up in SCAC Verified before you release a load to it.
The trailer check-in log guide covers the other eight fields, and the free yard check sheet has a carrier/SCAC column. This page summarizes NMFTA's and BIC's public information. The issuers' own sites govern.
FAQ
What does SCAC stand for?
SCAC stands for Standard Carrier Alpha Code. It is a unique two-to-four-letter code used to identify transportation companies in electronic systems, documentation and regulatory filings. The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) issues and manages it.
Do SCAC codes expire?
Yes. NMFTA issues SCACs on an annual basis and they must be renewed each year to stay active. NMFTA sends renewal reminders 90, 60 and 30 days before expiration. An expired SCAC may no longer be recognized as active by shippers, brokers, 3PLs, platforms or government systems.
Is a SCAC the same as the four letters on a shipping container?
No. The letters on a container are the owner code from the BIC register under ISO 6346: three letters for the owner or operator plus a fourth letter that identifies the equipment. A SCAC is a separate carrier code issued by NMFTA. The truck company hauling a container can be a different company from the one that owns it, so record both.
How do I check if a SCAC is valid?
NMFTA's official lookup is SCAC Verified (formerly SCAC Online). It shows whether a SCAC is active and, where applicable, whether it reflects verified status.
Log the carrier with the trailer.
In Vantage, the guard picks the carrier's SCAC at gate in from a list searchable by code or company name, or types it, and the codes your site uses most show up first. Every record gets a timestamp, and a photo whenever the camera is used, and you can search past records by SCAC. The Free plan is $0 for 3 users, 1 yard and 100 gate transactions a month, with the live yard map and door board included. No card.
Related: digital gate log app · logging trailer check-in at the gate · container number checker