What is the shipping unit number (SSCU)?
The shipping unit number is a unique number for identifying a shipping unit such as containers, cartons or pallets. The code is internationally called SSCC-18 (Serial Shipping Container Code).
How is a shipping unit number (SSCU) structured?
The number has a total of 18 numerical characters and is often encoded with an EAN 128 barcode. It can be read using a scanner.
The 18 digits of the NVE are used as follows:
- 1st digit = digit which can be chosen by the company itself
- 2.-8. Digit = GS1 base number of the company, which can also be a total of 8 or 9 digits long
- 9.-17. Digit = consecutive number of the SSCC
- 18th digit = check digit calculated from the preceding digits
What are the advantages of the shipping unit number (SSCU)?
- Seamless shipment handover and shipment tracking
- Clearly identifiable at all levels of the supply chain
- Prerequisite for track and trace processes
- Automated processing enables integration into EDI processes
