Shipment Control Number (CBP)
Last updated 29 July 2026
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| This article is part of the Customs Glossary Guide |
A Shipment Control Number (SCN) is a unique identifier assigned to a specific shipment or consignment of goods.[1] In the context of U.S. highway imports, the SCN is commonly used as the PAPS number on PAPS barcode labels.[1]
The SCN connects the carrier's ACE eManifest shipment to the customs broker's entry information. If the carrier and broker transmit different shipment control numbers, the shipment may be delayed because CBP cannot match the physical shipment to the electronic data.[2]
What is a Shipment Control Number?
A Shipment Control Number is an alphanumeric code that usually starts with the highway carrier's four-letter Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC), followed by a unique shipment number.[1] It is created by the carrier or logistics company responsible for moving the goods.[1]
The SCN is used by carriers, customs brokers, importers, and CBP to identify and track a shipment through the customs clearance process. CBP’s ACE Truck Manifest User Guide provides guidance for filing truck manifests in ACE, and ACE eManifest data relies on shipment-level identifiers to connect manifest and cargo information.[3]
SCN Format
A typical highway SCN has two parts:
- SCAC prefix: the carrier's four-letter Standard Carrier Alpha Code.
- Unique sequence: a shipment number chosen by the carrier.
For example, if the carrier's SCAC is ABCD and the shipment number is 98765, the SCN may be ABCD98765.
The SCN should be entered consistently everywhere it is used. Avoid spaces, dashes, or extra characters unless the carrier's approved numbering process specifically requires them. Carriers should also avoid reusing shipment control numbers within CBP's required uniqueness period.
Some industry guidance describes a highway SCN as the carrier SCAC followed by a carrier-assigned unique reference, and notes that it is commonly referred to as a PAPS number in the PAPS process.[4]
Common Uses
| Use | Description |
|---|---|
| PAPS shipments | The carrier assigns an SCN/PAPS number, applies the matching barcode label to the shipping documents, and transmits the same number on the ACE eManifest. The customs broker uses the same number when preparing the entry. |
| In-bond shipments | The SCN can be used to identify the in-bond movement and connect the electronic in-bond data to the shipment documents. |
| LCL or consolidated freight | When one trailer contains multiple shipments, each shipment should have its own shipment control number so CBP and the broker can identify each consignment separately. |
For PAPS shipments, the SCN is one of the most important matching values because the broker entry and ACE shipment must refer to the same shipment. For in-bond shipments, shipment references help connect the movement to the in-bond data and supporting documents.
Role of the SCN in PAPS Barcode Labels
Including the SCN in PAPS barcode labels helps CBP retrieve the matching shipment information from its systems. It also helps carriers, brokers, and importers track the movement of a shipment as it approaches a U.S. port of entry.
Accurate SCN data reduces the risk of mismatches between the carrier manifest, broker entry, and paperwork presented by the driver. R.B. Systems guidance notes that if the SCN in the eManifest is not exact as the bill of lading in the cargo entry or in-bond, the shipment may not link to CBP upon arrival and the crossing may be affected.[2]
Carriers that need pre-printed or digital PAPS barcode labels can order them from BorderPrint. BorderPrint offers CBP-approved PAPS barcode labels in sheet, roll, and digital download formats, with unique barcode sequences for use on cross-border shipment documents.[5]
Usage in BorderConnect
In BorderConnect, the Shipment Control Number can be generated from company settings or entered manually, depending on the workflow and the carrier's numbering process.
Common BorderConnect uses include:
- generating the next available SCN for a new ACE shipment;
- entering a pre-printed PAPS label number supplied by the carrier or shipper;
- printing PAPS barcode labels for shipment documents; and
- matching the electronic ACE shipment to the number used by the customs broker.
When creating an ACE shipment, users should confirm that the SCN entered in BorderConnect matches the number shown on the driver’s paperwork and the number given to the customs broker. If the SCN is incorrect, the user may need to update the ACE shipment and re-sync the manifest before the driver arrives.
Related Pages
- PAPS
- PAPS Barcodes
- Standard Carrier Alpha Code
- ACE Manifest Software User Guide
- Start New ACE Shipment Page
- ACE Shipment Details Page
- In Bond
Official Resources
- CBP: ACE Truck Manifest User Guide
- BorderConnect ACE eManifest
- BorderPrint: Order PAPS Barcode Labels