What is SSCC?

Table of Contents

• What is an SSCC?
• What is a GS1-128 Barcode?
• What are Application Identifiers?
• Use Cases

What is an SSCC?

An SSCC (Serial Shipping Container Code) is an 18-digit number used to uniquely identify a physical logistics unit — such as a pallet, carton, or case — as it moves through a supply chain. SSCCs are a GS1 global standard, meaning they are recognised and used by trading partners anywhere in the world.

Each logistics unit is assigned its own unique SSCC. This number stays with the unit for its entire life and is never reassigned to another unit within one year of the original shipment date.

SSCCs are typically printed on a logistics label attached to the outside of the unit and encoded in a barcode that can be scanned at each point in the supply chain — from the supplier's warehouse through to final delivery.

What is a GS1-128 Barcode?

An SSCC is encoded and scanned using a GS1-128 barcode (also sometimes called a GS1 barcode). Unlike a standard product barcode, a GS1-128 barcode can carry multiple pieces of information within a single scan — not just the SSCC number itself, but also additional data about the contents of the logistics unit, such as:

• Product code (GTIN) — what product is inside the unit
• Batch or lot number — which production batch the product belongs to
• Expiry or best-before date — when the product expires
• Serial number — a unique identifier for a specific item
• SSCC — the unique identifier for the logistics unit itself

This makes GS1-128 barcodes particularly powerful for warehouse and logistics operations, where multiple pieces of data need to be captured quickly and accurately at the point of receiving or putaway.

What are Application Identifiers?

Each piece of data encoded in a GS1-128 barcode is prefixed with an Application Identifier (AI) — a short numeric code that tells the scanner (and the receiving system) what type of data follows. For example:

When CartonCloud scans a GS1-128 barcode, it reads each Application Identifier and uses the data to populate the corresponding fields on the relevant record — removing the need for manual data entry.

Use Cases

SSCC scanning in CartonCloud is most useful for businesses that:

• Receive goods from suppliers who label pallets or cartons with GS1-128 / SSCC barcodes
• Need to capture batch, lot, expiry, or serial number data at the point of receiving or putaway without manual data entry
• Require end-to-end traceability of logistics units from inbound receipt through to warehouse storage
• Work in industries with strict traceability requirements, such as food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, or healthcare