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FCPMC · CCGD · CFBA · ECCC

Industry Requirements on the Implementation of Shipping Containers Standards and Guidelines

Overview:

Industry surveys were conducted 1998 through the EFR Barcoding committee to assess the distributor readiness to embrace and implement scanning technology in the warehouse/distribution facility. The implementation would further facilitate efficiency and accuracy in capturing information from the scanned data, leading to better management of inventory within the supply chain.

The survey results would also enable the establishment of industry timelines allowing suppliers sufficient transition time to prepare and undertake case code implementation. To maximize the benefits and justify investment, it was recognized that all shipping cartons would require barcoding.

Timelines:

The Foodservice timelines for applying scannable barcodes on cases is October 1999.

Understanding the Shipping Container Code Standards

There are two types of Shipping containers - Standard and Unique. Standard shipping containers always contain the same number of identical consumer units. Unique Shipping containers always contain different configurations of consumer units and require unique identification. Specific industry standards may vary, therefore consult with your customer on the use of these standards.

Standard Shipping Containers:

Number format:

Standard Shipping Containers are identified by a 14 digit number called the SCC-14. The 14 digit number is derived from the first 11 digits of the U.P.C. number on the consumer unit, preceded by 2 digits, a packaging level indicator and a filler 0. The U.P.C. check character is re-calculated and added as the last, or 14th digit. (If your company is involved in electronic data interchange, shipping container identification numbers have already been assigned).

Symbologies:

Two barcode symbologies are available to encode the SCC-14 number, Interleaved 2 of 5 for direct printing on corrugate and UCC/EAN-128 for printing on labels (preceded by Application Identifier 01). For technical information, refer to Application Standards for shipping Containers available from ECCC.

Location:

The industry requires shipping cases to have at least one symbol located on the side Panel (long or short) of the case. If more than one symbol is placed on the case, two adjacent sides would be preferred.

Unique Shipping Containers or Pallets:

Unique shipping containers are identified by an 18 digit serial shipping container number called the SSCC-18. The 18 digit numbers are encoded using UCC/EAN-128 symbology (preceded by Application Identifier 00). The first 8 digits of the number are similar to the first 8 digits of the standard shipping container number, followed by a 9 digit serial number, plus check character digit. Each shipping container is therefore assigned a unique serial number for identification.

Symbol Quality and Size:

Symbols printed directly on corrugate, using Interleaved 2 of 5 symbology, require an ANSI grade of 0.5 (D) or better. It is recommended that symbol magnification of 1.0 (or greater) with dimensions of 6" in length by 1.25" in height be used when printing directly onto corrugate. The minimum allowable size is 70% of nominal size for contact based processes and 62.5% non-contact processes.

Print quality standards for shipping containers using UCC/EAN-128 symbology or other non-contact printing methods require an ANSI grade of 1.5 (C) or better. The UCC/EAN-128 symbology requires printing on labels. The symbol length is 3.08" and the height is 1.25".

Validation:

At this time, distributors are not requesting 3rd party validation certificates for case coding. However, it is recommended that suppliers undertake the responsibility to verify the print quality to ensure that symbol meets the outlined standards. Distributors will monitor the scan read rates through internal audit processes. If the scan rates are low, and scanning problems detected, validation certificates will be requested.