The Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC) is a unique identifier assigned by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA). This is a 2 to 4-letter code, usually based on the name of the company, with an extra letter that indicates which type of business you are in. Freight containers, privately-owned rail cars, and trucks and/or trailers will have different identification letters.
Government agencies are the primary users of SCAC codes, as they make for easier identification, shipment monitoring, and processing, but they are often used at shipping docks and airports as well. Therefore, you will need a SCAC if you are doing business with the U.S. government or any other entity that relies on these codes. They’re common with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).