Standard Carrier Alpha Code (CBP)

This article is part of the Customs Compliance Guide and the Customs Glossary Guide

The Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC) logo

A Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC) is a unique two-to-four-letter code used to identify transportation companies, including motor, rail, ocean, and air carriers. SCACs are assigned by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) in the United States.

For highway carriers crossing into the United States, the SCAC is an important CBP identifier. In ACE Manifest, the carrier's SCAC is used as part of the trip number and as the prefix for the Shipment Control Number used to identify freight, including PAPS shipments.

What Is a SCAC Used For?

The SCAC helps customs, brokers, carriers, and other supply chain parties identify the transportation company responsible for a movement. It is commonly used on:

• ACE eManifests
• Shipment Control Numbers
• PAPS labels and broker paperwork
• Bills of lading and other shipping documents
• Freight, ocean, rail, and air cargo documentation

BorderConnect describes SCACs as standardized identifiers used in the transportation industry to distinguish carriers and transportation companies. A BorderConnect SCAC tutorial also explains that SCACs are used primarily in systems such as PAPS and ACE Manifest to track shipments and support customs processing.

Role in ACE Manifest

For ACE truck manifest purposes, the SCAC connects the carrier's trip and shipment data to the carrier account recognized by CBP. This helps CBP and customs brokers match the manifest, entry, and shipment records.

Highway carriers should make sure that:

• the SCAC used in BorderConnect matches the SCAC registered for the carrier;
• the trip number begins with the correct SCAC when required;
• the PAPS or shipment control number supplied to the broker uses the same SCAC prefix;
• each shipment control number is unique for the freight being reported; and
• broker instructions are followed when creating or transmitting the ACE Manifest.

BorderConnect notes that for carriers crossing into the United States, the SCAC is required at the beginning of the ACE eManifest trip number and at the beginning of any Shipment Control Number used to identify freight. BorderConnect’s ACE registration tutorial states that once a carrier obtains a valid four-letter SCAC, the carrier can proceed to file ACE Manifests with BorderConnect or another ACE service provider, provided the SCAC remains valid.

Usage in BorderConnect

In BorderConnect, SCACs are stored and managed at the company level. The Company Details Page is used to review and maintain company-level account information, including U.S. SCAC codes.

A BorderConnect tutorial shows that users can add a SCAC from the Company Details page by opening the SCAC code list, clicking New SCAC Code, entering the four-letter SCAC and the legal company name registered to that SCAC, and saving it. The same tutorial explains that once a SCAC has been added, it can be used when creating an ACE shipment, including situations where a user is hauling another carrier’s shipment and needs to match that carrier’s shipment control number.

BorderConnect also lets users set a default SCAC in the Company Settings Page. The Company Settings Page includes an ACE Manifest setting for SCAC Code, which sets the default SCAC used when starting a new ACE Manifest or ACE shipment.

BorderConnect Examples

BorderConnect area	How the SCAC is used
Company Details Page	Stores the company’s active U.S. SCAC codes so they can be used in ACE and related workflows.
Company Settings Page	Sets the default SCAC used when starting a new ACE Manifest or ACE shipment.
Start New ACE Manifest Page	Uses the carrier’s SCAC as part of the ACE trip numbering process when required.
Start New ACE Shipment Page	Uses the SCAC as the prefix for the shipment control number, including PAPS shipments.
Search Carrier Code Queries Page	Allows users to search for, query, and manage ABI Carrier Codes or SCAC information returned by CBP.
QP Subscribed Carrier Codes Page	Uses subscribed carrier codes, also called SCACs, for QP in-bond shipments.

When creating an ACE shipment, the user should confirm that the SCAC prefix in the shipment control number matches the SCAC expected by the customs broker. If the wrong SCAC is used, the broker’s entry and the carrier’s ACE shipment may not match correctly.

Common Usage Scenarios

• Highway freight: a trucking company uses its SCAC as the carrier identifier on an ACE Manifest and as the prefix for PAPS or shipment control numbers.
• Ocean freight: an ocean carrier uses its SCAC on bill of lading information so the carrier can be identified in port and customs systems.
• Air cargo: an air carrier uses its carrier identifier on air cargo documentation so shipments can be processed by the appropriate carrier and customs parties.
• QP in-bond: a subscribed carrier code or SCAC can be used in BorderConnect’s U.S. In-Bond Manager for QP in-bond workflows.

Obtaining or Renewing a SCAC

Carriers can apply for or renew a SCAC through NMFTA's official SCAC system. SCACs are issued and renewed annually, so carriers should keep their SCAC active to avoid interruptions in customs, EDI, carrier onboarding, or other logistics systems that depend on the code.

After receiving a SCAC, carriers should confirm that it is valid for ACE Manifest use and then add it to BorderConnect. BorderConnect’s DIY customs consulting guide notes that carriers may need to ensure CBP validation of a new SCAC, order PAPS barcode labels, and register for ACE eManifest service.

Related Pages

• Shipment Control Number
• PAPS
• PAPS Barcodes
• ACE Manifest Software User Guide
• Start New ACE Manifest Page
• Start New ACE Shipment Page
• Company Details Page
• Company Settings Page
• Search Carrier Code Queries Page
• QP Subscribed Carrier Codes Page

Official Resources

• NMFTA SCAC application and renewal system
• CBP: New Modified ACE EDI Messages for Electronic Truck Manifest
• BorderConnect ACE eManifest