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What Is A Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC) And How Do I Apply For One (DIY Customs Consulting)

From BorderConnect Wiki

🔖 This article is part of the Customs Compliance Guide

Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC)

The mandatory 4-letter identifier required for all commercial highway carriers entering the United States.

Type: Customs Identifier Region: United States (CBP)

Overview

To transact business with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), highway carriers require a Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC), regardless of how often they cross the U.S. border with commercial goods.

A SCAC is a unique two-to-four-letter identifier assigned by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) to identify a specific transportation company. Only one carrier code is issued to each legal entity (corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship).

This code is the foundation of U.S. cross-border trade. It is strictly required to file an ACE eManifest and is used as the prefix for all PAPS barcode labels so shipments can be cleared by a U.S. customs broker.

How to Apply for a SCAC

The Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC) logo

Once you have been approved for a USDOT and/or Motor Carrier (MC) Number (if required for your operations), you can apply for your SCAC directly through the NMFTA's digital portal.

Required Information

To complete the application online, you must supply the NMFTA with the following information:

  • Company Details: Legal Company Name, Trade Name (DBA), and full mailing address.
  • Operating Authorities: Your FMCSA-issued USDOT Number, MC Number, or MX Number (if applicable). Note: If you have applied for these but they are not yet issued, you can list them as "Pending."
  • Operation Type: The type of company or operation (e.g., Motor Carrier, Freight Forwarder, Broker).
  • Contact Info: Applicant Representative Information and a valid email address where the certificate will be delivered.

Application Fees & Processing

  • Cost: The standard application fee is approximately $98 USD when filed online (or $113 USD if applying by phone/mail). Note: Fees are subject to annual adjustments by the NMFTA.
  • Processing Time: When you apply and pay by credit card through the online portal, you will typically receive your approval letter and SCAC certificate via email within 1 to 2 business days (often instantly or within 24 hours).

Annual Renewal & Compliance

A SCAC is not a lifetime registration. SCACs must be renewed on an annual basis. The NMFTA will send an email reminder approximately 30 days before your code expires.

⚠️ Expired SCAC Consequences: If you fail to pay your annual renewal fee (approx. $93 USD), your SCAC will expire. CBP systems will instantly reject your ACE eManifests, meaning your trucks will be turned around at the border. If left expired for too long, the NMFTA will reassign your 4-letter code to another company.

Renewals can be processed rapidly using the NMFTA's "Easy Renew" feature online, preventing any disruptions to your cross-border supply chain.

Next Steps After Approval

Once you receive your SCAC certificate from the NMFTA, you must operationalize the code to begin moving freight.

1. Ensure CBP Validation

Typically, the NMFTA synchronizes new codes with CBP's database automatically. However, if you experience issues filing an ACE Manifest immediately after receiving your code, you may need to email a copy of your NMFTA SCAC certificate to CBP at ams.scac@cbp.dhs.gov to ensure it is validated in their system.

2. Order PAPS Barcode Labels

Your SCAC acts as the mandatory 4-letter prefix for your PAPS (Pre-Arrival Processing System) shipment control numbers. You must order pre-printed barcode labels to affix to your commercial invoices for your customs broker.
Action: Order compliant labels from BorderPrint.

3. Register for ACE eManifest

U.S. law requires highway carriers to submit an electronic manifest to CBP at least one hour prior to arriving at the border.
Action: Register with a CBP-approved service provider like BorderConnect to transmit your ACE Manifests securely.

Official Resources & Registration Links

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