SSCC (Serial Shipping Container Code)

The Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC) is an 18-digit identifier encoded with Code 128 (UCC/EAN-128), used throughout the supply chain for item tracing and internal control, and is the only mandatory field on the UCC/EAN logistics label.

The Serial Shipping Container Code, or SSCC, is used throughout the supply chain as an entity identifier for item tracing and internal control. It is the only mandatory field on the UCC/EAN logistics label.

(Supplier => Transporter => Distributor => Transporter => Customer diagram)

SSCC contains 18 digits, starting with an extension digit and ending with a check digit. The check digit is calculated according to the UCC/EAN algorithm (the same as the UPC/EAN check digit).

The SSCC is encoded using the Code 128 symbology (UCC/EAN-128). Since UCC/EAN-128 is also used to encode other information in the shipping label, two digits called the Application Identifier (AI) are added at the beginning of the barcode. For details about AIs and the UCC/EAN shipping label, read the article on the UCC/EAN Shipping Label.

The SSCC check digit is calculated the same way as a UPC/EAN number. Here are the steps to calculate the SSCC check digit:

1. From right to left, starting with the odd position, assign the odd/even position to each digit.
2. Sum all digits in the odd position and multiply the result by 3.
3. Sum all digits in the even position.
4. Add the results of steps 2 and 3.
5. Divide the result of step 4 by 10. The check digit is the number that, when added to the remainder, equals 10.