What is a Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC)?

In the early 20th century, there was no standardized way to identify transport carriers. In order to electronically store this information inside a database, the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) in the United States introduced SCAC codes. 

A Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC) is a unique identification number that is attributed to registered freight carriers and typically consists of two to four letters. Today, SCAC codes are used for various industries around the world and even government bodies in the United States, for carrier identification purposes.  

In the world of shipping, SCAC codes are found in shipping documents such as the Bill of Lading, shipment invoices, and packing lists. They’re even used in 3PL and 4PL supply chain models to identify air and ocean carriers. 

In this article, we’ll be exploring more about SCAC codes, why ocean and air carriers use them, how they are registered and also provide a list of SCAC codes for the most common transport carriers.

Why Do Carriers Have SCAC Codes?

Carriers are required to have a SCAC code if they wish to provide shipping services to the United States. The SCAC code is then used primarily by the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to monitor all shipping activities. Here are the 3 security initiative programs used by the CBP, in which they identify carriers using SCAC codes:

• Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) – System for lodging export and import shipments.
• Automated Manifest System (AMS) – Border protection program to monitor all incoming shipments to the US with the goal to reduce or eliminate potential security threats. 
• Pre-Arrival Processing Systems (PAPS) – System used by custom brokers combining the SCAC code and unique identifier number provided by the carrier. A barcode is generated as the output of this system. 

SCAC Codes in Supply Chain Management

Standard Carrier Alpha Codes are also used for non-US bound shipments and have a broader application in 3PL and 4P supply chain models. Particularly large multinational companies use third-party and fourth-party logistics providers that place bookings for the shipper via EDI messages.

These Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) messages are routed to each carrier using a SCAC code as an identifier. The SCAC code is commonly used in the supply chain industry, since it serves as a unique identification number for ocean and air carriers. 

How to Get a SCAC Code

To secure a SCAC code, an application must be submitted to NMFTA. This is either done via registered mail for $95.00 and via an online registration form at a discounted rate of $82.00. For railroad applications, submission must be done via the Railinc Services instead. 

During the application all details must be filled out completely. Processing time will take about one to two weeks and once approved, an electronic copy will be sent to CBP.

Generally, a SCAC code can end with any letter. However, depending on the type of transport company, some must end with the letters U, X, or Z.

• ‘U’ – for carriers with shipping containers. Regulated by CBCP for border security and protection and by the Food and Drug Administration for food imports. 
• ‘X’ – for privately owned railroad cars. 
• ‘Z’ – for identifying truck trailers and chassis via intermodal service. 

Freight forwarders are also required to have SCAC codes when shipping to the US. However, their SCAC code does not have to end with the letter ‘U’, as they typically don’t own any containers. For example, Expeditors has the SCAC code EXPD. On the other hand, vessel operating carriers feature the letter ‘U’. For example Maersk SCAC code is MAEU.

SCAC Codes Renewals

All SCAC codes are renewed annually and remain valid up to June 30 for each succeeding year. The NMFTA will inform and send an invoice to renew the SCAC 30 days before the expiration date. The online link can be found here. The yearly renewal has a price of $95.00.

List of SCAC Codes

Below is a table featuring an extensive list of the most common air, ocean, road and rail SCAC codes. You may check the complete list of SCAC codes here.

Carrier Name	SCAC Code
A. Duie Pyle	PYLE
Aafes Private Fleet	AYAF
ABF Freight	ABFS
Alaska Marine Lines	AKMR
Alianca	ANRM
Allied Van Lines	ALLV
American Freightways	ARFW
American President Lines (APL)	APLU
Amino Transport	ANTC
Arkas Container Transport	ARKU
Atlantic Container Line	ACLU
Atlantic Ro-Ro Carriers	AROF
Australia National Line	ANNU
Averitt Express	AVRT
Bahri / National Shipping Company Of Saudi Arabia	NSAU
Bax Global (Air) [Now DB Schenker]	BNAF
Bax Global [Now DB Schenker]	BAXG
Bermuda Container Line	BCLU
Bridge Logistics	BLOJ
BT Express Freight Systems	BTEY
Bulk Fr8 (Liquid Bulk)	BKFB
Carbonite Logistics	CBNP
Carolina Logistics	CGSQ
Carolina Transportation Inc	CNPC
Celadon	CDNK
Central Gulf Lines	CEGL
Central Transport	CTII
Cheema Transport	CHRP
Cheeseman Transport	CJRQ
Cheng Lie Navigation	11DX
Chermak Cartage	CHKA
China Shipping Container Lines (COSCO)	CHNJ
Chinese-Polish Joint Stock Shipping Company	CPJQ
CJR Trucking	CJRF
CMA-CGM	CMDU
Companhia Libra De Navegacao	CLIB
Compania Sud Americana De Vapores	CHIW
Con-Way Central Express	CWCE
Con-Way Intermodal	CWIM
Con-Way Southern Express	CWSE
Con-Way Western Express	CWWE
Container Port Group	CPGP
Country Transport	COTO
Cowan Systems	CWAS
Crowley	CMCU/CAMN
Csav Norasia	NSLU
CSX Transportation	CSXT
Cushing Transportation	CIMC
Daylight Transport	DYLT
Dayton Freight	DAFG
DB Schenker	SHKK
DBO Bahnoperator	DBGB
Delmas	DAAE
DHL Global Forwarding	DHC2
DHL Worldwide Express	DHLA
Diamond Logistics	DMLI
Dole Ocean Cargo Express	DOLQ
Dot-Line Transportation	DOLR
DSV	DSV1
Ease Logistics	ELOI
Ecuadorian Line	EQLI
Eimskip	EIMU/EIMW
Emery Worldwide	EWCF
Emirates Shipping Line	ESPU
Estes Express	EXLA
Eukor	EUKO
Evergreen	EGLV
Expeditors International Ocean	EXPD
Far Eastern Shipping Company	FESO
FedEx (Air)	FDEN
FedEx Custom Critical	FDCC
FedEx Express (Air)	FDE
FedEx Freight	FEXF
Fedex Freight	FXFE
Fedex Freight National (Formerly Watkins)	FXNL
FedEx Ground	FDEG
Fedex Ltl Freight East	FXFE
Fedex Ltl Freight West (Formerly Vikn – Viking)	FXFW
Fifth Wheel Freight	FWFG
First International Courier	FICS
FLT Logistics	FLJF
Fortune Transportation	FTNA
G & P Trucking	GPTC
Galborg	GFAL
Gilbert East	GBEA
Gilbert Express	GBXI
Gold Star Line	GSLU
Great Eastern Shipping	GESC
Great White Fleet	UBCU
Grieg Star Shipping	ACSU
Grimaldi	GRIU
Gulick Trucking	GUMA
Hamburg Süd	SUDU
Hapag Lloyd Container Line	HLCU
Heartland Express	HAEI
Hercules Forwarding	HRCF
Hoegh Autoliners	HUAU
Horizon Lines	HRZU
Hoyer Deep Sea	HOYO
Hub Group	HUBT
Hyde Shipping	HYDU
Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM)	HDMU
Independent Container Line	IILU
Industrial Maritime Carriers (Intermarine)	IDMC
Integrity Express Logistics	IELC
Intelcom Express	IEXA
Intermodal Services	INML
Interocean Lines	INOC
ITF	ITFC
J.B. Hunt	HJBT
Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha	KKLU
King Ocean Sercies	KOSL
Knight Transportation	KNIG
Korea Marine Transport (KMTC)	KMTU
Kuehne + Nagel	KHNN
LDI Trucking	LDYQ
Liberty Global Logistics	LGLT
Linea Messina	LMCU
Logistic Dynamics	LDYN
Maersk Line	MAEU
Malaysia International Shipping Corporation (MISC)	MISC
Marfret Compagnie Maritime	MFTU
Marten Transport	MTEN
Maruba	MRUB
Matson	MATS
MCC Transport	MCCQ
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC)	MEDU
MGM Transport	MGMC
National Freight	NAFT
National Xpress Logistics	NXPL
Neptune Shipping Line	NOSU
Nile Dutch Africa Line	NIDU
Nordana Line	NODA
North American Van Lines	NAVI
NYK	NYKS
Ocean Network Express (One Line)	ONEY
Old Dominion Freight Line	ODFL
Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL)	OOLU
Pacific International Lines	PCIU
Pacific Logistics Corp	PFLP
Panalpina	PNEP
Pasha Hawaii Transport Lines	PSHI
Paystar Logistics	PAYL
Peninsula Truck Lines	PENS
Performance Logistics	PSQL
Piedmont Express	PDME
Polynesia Line	PLLU
Precision Logistics Group	PLGQ
Prime Inc. (Intermodal)	PRIU
Prime Inc. (Logistics)	PRML
Prime Inc. (Otr)	PRIJ
Prime Inc. (Tanker)	PMKO
R And L Carriers	GMLS
Radiant Global Logistics	RGLN
Rail Delivery Services	RDSS
Rickmers Linie	RCKI
Roadway (YRC)	RDWY
Route Transportation & Logistics	RXLI
Rowl Trucking	ROWL
Royal Oil	RYOM
Russel Delivery Services	RUSS
Safmarine	SAFM
Saia LTL Freight	SAIA
Sallaum Lines	SLAQ
Same Day Air Logistics	SDYA
Samskip	SKII
Schneider National	SCNN
Seaboard Marine	SMLU
Seafreight Line	SEFN
Seago Line	SEJJ
Siem Car Carriers AS	SCYE
Silver Enterprises	SXVE
Sinokor Merchant Marine	SKLU
Stevens Transport	STVV
Swift Transportation	SWFT
Swire Shipping	CHVW
The Shipping Coporation Of India	SCIU
Thorco Shipping	THZS
Toho Shipping	TOHO
Tote Maritime	TOTE
Triple A Logistics	TPNW
Truckers America	TCKM
Turkon Line Inc	TRKU
U.S. Government	USAU
U.S. Government	USAX
U.S. Northwest Express Or Usnw Express	USNW
U.S. Xpress	USXI
Unique Express	UQEP
United Parcel Service	UPSC
United Parcel Service	UPSN
United Parcel Service	UPSS
United Parcel Service	UPSZ
United States Postal Service (USPS)	USPS
Universal Africa Lines	UALC
Unyson	UYSN
UPS Freight (Fka Overnite Transportation Co / Ovnt)	UPGF
US Lines	USLU
USAW – USA Logistics	UDRY
Vanedge Logistics	VLOQ
Vistar Transportation	VSRD
Vocar Transportation Services	VCTS
Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics	WLWH
Wan Hai Lines	22AA
West European Container Lines	WECU
Westwood Shipping Lines	WWSU
World Logistics Service (USA)	WDLS
Wta Global	WTAG
Xpo Logistics	XPOL
Xpress United	XUI
Yang Ming Line	YMLU
YRC Freight	YRCW
Zim Integrated Shipping Services	ZIMU