{{Short description, Identifier number for logistics
The Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC) is an 18-digit number used to identify logistics units. In order to automate the reading process, the SSCC is often encoded in a
barcode
A barcode or bar code is a method of representing data in a visual, Machine-readable data, machine-readable form. Initially, barcodes represented data by varying the widths, spacings and sizes of parallel lines. These barcodes, now commonly ref ...
, generally GS1-128, and can also be encoded in an
RFID
Radio-frequency identification (RFID) uses electromagnetic fields to automatically identify and track tags attached to objects. An RFID system consists of a tiny radio transponder called a tag, a radio receiver, and a transmitter. When tri ...
tag. It is used in electronic commerce transactions.
The SSCC comprises an extension digit, a GS1 company prefix, a serial reference, and a
check digit
A check digit is a form of redundancy check used for Error detection and correction, error detection on identification numbers, such as bank account numbers, which are used in an application where they will at least sometimes be input manually. It ...
. It is all numeric.
It is applicable to the tertiary level of packing.
The SSCC is commonly used in the advance ship notice (ASN) EDI transaction.
The SSCC should not be confused with the GRAI or GIAI code of the (serialized) objects within the SSCC object: the SSCC is created in general during packing at a certain party (shipping party) and loses its value after receipt by or after unpacking by another party (the receiving party). The serialized objects within the SSCC container can always be identified by their GRAI or GIAI identifier, unless that GRAI or GIAI code is no longer valid, either because the serialized object itself is destroyed or its identifier is no longer valid.