A SCAC code (Standard Carrier Alpha Code) is a unique two-to-four-letter identifier assigned to a transportation company so it can be recognized across shipping documents and electronic systems. Created and maintained by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA), the code appears on bills of lading, customs filings, and EDI messages, letting ports, railroads, customs, and computer systems know exactly which carrier is handling a shipment. If you move ocean containers into the U.S., the carrier and often the drayage trucker need a valid SCAC.
Why SCAC codes exist
Before standardized codes, identifying carriers across the many parties in a supply chain, ocean lines, railroads, truckers, brokers, and customs, was slow and error-prone. The SCAC solved that by giving every carrier a short, unique alphabetic tag. It is now embedded throughout freight documentation and automated data exchange, so a shipment can be tracked and cleared without ambiguity about who is responsible for it at each leg.
On a bill of lading, the SCAC identifies the carrier issuing the document. In customs and security filings, it ties the movement to a specific, registered transportation provider.
Where SCAC codes are required
Ocean and customs filings
U.S. Customs and Border Protection requires SCAC codes on many electronic filings, including the manifest and the Importer Security Filing (ISF) for ocean cargo. The code links the shipment to the responsible carrier in CBP’s systems.
Port and terminal operations
Terminals at PortMiami and Port Everglades use SCAC codes to match containers to the trucking company authorized to pick them up. A drayage carrier without a proper SCAC can be turned away at the gate, which is why working with an established drayage provider matters.
How carriers get a SCAC
Carriers apply to the NMFTA, which assigns the code and requires annual renewal to keep it active. Certain code suffixes are reserved for specific uses, for example codes ending in U for containers, X for privately owned railroad cars, and Z for intermodal. For shippers, the practical point is simple: make sure any carrier you use has a current, valid SCAC before booking.
Ship with a fully registered Miami carrier
Go Freight is an FMCSA-authorized, TSA-approved bonded carrier with the registrations and codes needed to move cargo cleanly through PortMiami and Port Everglades. Explore our drayage services to move containers without gate or filing delays.
Frequently asked questions
What does SCAC stand for?
SCAC stands for Standard Carrier Alpha Code. It is a unique two-to-four-letter code that identifies a transportation carrier on shipping documents and in electronic data systems.
Who issues SCAC codes?
The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) issues and maintains SCAC codes. Carriers apply for a code and must renew it annually to keep it valid.
Do I need a SCAC code to import ocean freight?
The carrier moving your ocean freight needs a valid SCAC, and it appears on customs and security filings such as the ISF. As a shipper you do not personally hold one, but you should confirm your carrier and drayage provider have current codes.
Move containers with a properly registered carrier
Request a free quote or call (786) 445-0150 to book Miami drayage with a fully authorized team.