It’s time again to take a closer look at a bar code symbology!
SCC-14, also known as the Shipping Container Code, is used for fixed-content shipping containers. This 14-digit symbology has two different representations, UCC/EAN 128 format or the ITF-14 format which is based on Interleaved 2 of 5. The most widely used bar code representation is the UCC/EAN 128 with Application Identifier (AI) 01 pictured at right. SCC-14 consists of 14 digits, including a check digit that is calculated the same way as a UPC/EAN check digit.
SCC-14 bar codes include the following pieces of data:
- Digit 1- Package Indicator (PI)
- Digits 2-3- UPC numbering system/EAN country prefix
- Digits 4-8- Manufacturer code
- Digits 9-13- Item identification number
- Digit 14- Check digit
Because SCC-14 is used for marking and labeling containers that hold products marked with UPC-A or EAN-13 bar codes, these codes are included in the SCC-14 code. The digits from position 2-13 are the UPC-A or EAN-13 code that is encoded on the products within the case.
The packaging indicator is determined by what is in the container. A PI of 0 is used to indicate a container that doesn’t have similar items or items without the same UPC or EAN. PI’s of 1-8 differentiate between cases with different quantities of the same item. And a PI of 9 indicates that the number of items in each case varies and isn’t fixed.
Unlike a UPC or EAN, you don’t have to register for an SCC-14 number. It can be produced following the rules above and created with bar code label software.