What Is A Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC) And How Do I Apply For One (DIY Customs Consulting)
| This article is part of the Customs Compliance Guide |
To transact business with U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), highway carriers require a Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC) to be registered with National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA), regardless of how often they cross the U.S. border with commercial goods. A SCAC code is a four-letter unique identifier that is assigned by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) to identify a carrier. Only one carrier code is issued to each legal entity (corporation, partnership or sole proprietorship).
A SCAC code is required to file an ACE Manifest and to use PAPS barcode labels so shipments can be cleared by a customs broker. SCAC codes must also be renewed on an annual basis.
For more detailed information on what a SCAC Code is and how to qualify, visit NMFTA.org website here.
Once you've been approved with a USDOT and/or MC Number and you would like to apply for a Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC) visit National Motor Freight Traffic Association website's SCAC Application page, follow the instructions laid out here. In addition to the required forms that need to be completed, you will also need to supply NMFTA.org with the following information for your application:
- Legal Company name and Trade Name
- Company Ownership documentation and address
- Type of Company or Operation
- Applicant Representative Information (if applicable)
- Fee to be payable to NMFTA.org
After your fill out and submit your Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC) application to NMFTA.org you will receive (if approved), a letter by email and/or physical mail in approximately 1-5 business days with an approval letter from NMFTA.org and provided in that letter will be a four-letter SCAC code, which will be valid for 12 months, until it will need to be renewed again.
Once you receive your SCAC from NMFTA, you can then move on to the next step, which is registering with an ACE Manifest service provider such as BorderConnect, which you can do here and ordering PAPS barcode labels, as many customs brokers require you to use your SCAC code in a PAPS barcode label in order to process your clearance to cross into the U.S. You can order the required PAPS barcode labels here from BorderPrint. To learn what barcodes or other customs documents are required, click here.
References
Register for a SCAC at National Motor Freight Traffic Association - https://nmfta.org/
Register for BorderConnect ACE Manifest: https://www.borderconnect.com
Order PAPS Barcode Labels Online: https://www.borderprint.com