Standards Spotlight Episode 3: SSCC Pallet Labels

Aug 11, 2020, by Fionnuala Malone - Category: Standards Spotlight

What is an SSCC?

SSCCs or Serial Shipping Container Codes are used to identify items assembled for the purpose of transport or storage. SSCCs are typically used to identify outer cases, pallets or entire shipments.

How is an SSCC structured?

SSCCs are preceded by an application identifier which is "00". Then a fixed length 18-digit number composed of;

1. An Extension Digit

2. A GS1 Company Prefix

3. A Serial Reference

4. A Check Digit

The SSCC is constructed as follows:

Wait, what's a GS1-128 then?

In order to automate the reading process, the SSCC is most often encoded in a barcode symbol known as a GS1-128. An SSCC can also be encoded in other symbols such as GS1 DataMatrix barcode or an Electronic Product Code (EPC®)–enabled Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag.

How do I identify pallets with an SSCC and GS1 128 barcode symbol?

But how do I generate the labels?

The GS1 Logistics Label Tool is a simple and easy to use online tool for businesses that need to create logistics labels for traded and transport units (pallets) with an SSCC and GS1-128 barcode. This tool has been specifically developed with small and medium businesses in mind.

What's the link between SSCC and EDI messages?

If you are using SSCCs to identify transport units, you can send details of each unit to your trading partners before it arrives. These Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) business messages can be sent automatically. When the units arrive, the barcodes symbols can be scanned and the SSCC for each pallet can be matched to the information sent in advance.