The GS1 SSCC (Serial Shipping Container Code) is an 18-digit number, usually encoded in a GS1-128 barcode, that uniquely identifies a logistic unit such as a pallet.
Detailed Definition
The SSCC, sometimes written SSCC-18, is an 18-digit number defined in the GS1 standards and used in the US through GS1 US. It identifies one logistic unit, such as a pallet or case shipped on its own, and is usually printed in a GS1-128 barcode on a logistic label. The number is built from an extension digit, the shipper's GS1 Company Prefix, a serial reference and a check digit. It links the physical unit load to shipment data such as the ASN, and is widely used in US grocery, retail and e-commerce supply chains.
How an SSCC is assigned
The shipper, not the receiver, assigns the SSCC when the pallet is built and labeled. Each number must be unique to that one unit; it is not a product code and does not describe what is on the pallet. Item details live in the shipment records linked to the SSCC. GS1 rules say an SSCC should not be reused for a different unit after it has been issued, so systems must keep track of serial numbers already used.
Why receivers depend on it
When a pallet arrives, the receiver scans the SSCC and pulls up the matching ASN line, which lists what should be on the pallet. That allows fast receiving without opening and counting every case. Problems arise when:
- The SSCC on the label does not match the one sent in the ASN.
- Two pallets carry the same SSCC.
- A pallet is rebuilt or consolidated but keeps an old label.
- The barcode is damaged or covered by wrap.
Many retailers charge back or reject shipments with these errors, so label checks should be part of the shipping process.
Authoritative Sources
- GS1 US (GS1): the US member organization of GS1, which licenses company prefixes and supports US use of the GS1 standards for pallet labeling, the SSCC and the GS1-128 barcode.
- Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA): the trade association representing the largest US retailers, whose member-driven pallet specifications define receiving requirements at distribution centers.
Related Glossary Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every pallet need its own SSCC?
Every logistic unit that will be tracked separately should have its own SSCC. On a shipment of 20 pallets, each pallet gets a different number, even if they all carry the same product. If pallets are later broken down or combined into a new unit, the new unit should get a new SSCC and the old label should be removed or covered, so scanners do not read the wrong code.
Do I need to join GS1 to create SSCCs?
Yes. An SSCC includes a GS1 Company Prefix, which is licensed to a company by a GS1 member organization; in the US that is GS1 US. Using a made-up prefix or another company's prefix produces numbers that are not unique and can clash in a receiver's system. Some third-party logistics providers create SSCCs on behalf of their clients under their own or the client's prefix, so confirm who owns the numbers.