SCAC

The SCAC system was developed by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) in the United States to ensure uniform identification of transportation companies across all stages of freight movement.
In Amazon’s logistics and supply chain operations, SCAC codes are used to track, validate, and manage shipments handled by third-party carriers and logistics partners.

Purpose of SCAC in Amazon Operations:

• To uniquely identify carriers used for inbound, outbound, and cross-dock shipments.
• To ensure data consistency across transport management systems (TMS), vendor shipment portals, and ASN (Advanced Shipment Notification) records.
• To facilitate EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) transactions - such as shipment confirmations, delivery updates, and freight billing.

Format:

• Always four alphabetic characters (e.g., AMZN, UPSN, FDEN).
• Assigned and regulated by the NMFTA (National Motor Freight Traffic Association).

Examples of Common SCAC Codes:

Use Cases in Amazon’s Network:

1. Inbound Vendor Shipments:
   • Vendors provide SCAC in their shipment confirmation files or ASN when routing freight to Amazon Fulfilment Centres (FCs) or IXDs (Inbound Cross Docks).
2. Outbound Transportation:
   • SCAC identifies the carrier responsible for delivering outbound shipments to customers or between facilities.
3. Freight Audit and Compliance:
   • Ensures that freight bills, Proof of Delivery (POD), and VRID (Vehicle Run Identification) match the correct carrier and shipment data.

Benefits for Amazon:

• Standardisation: Simplifies carrier management across regions and systems.
• Automation: Enables seamless EDI communication and logistics data exchange.
• Traceability: Improves accuracy in shipment tracking and freight reconciliation.

Benefits for Vendors and Carriers:

• Clarity: Avoids confusion between similarly named carriers.
• Efficiency: Reduces manual data entry errors in routing and billing.
• Compliance: Required for all EDI-enabled shipping transactions with Amazon.

Challenges:

• Maintenance: Carriers must renew and maintain their SCAC registration with NMFTA.
• Regional differences: Not all non-US carriers are required to hold a SCAC, which can complicate cross-border freight.

Why It Matters:
SCAC ensures logistical precision and traceability across Amazon’s global supply chain.
By maintaining a unified carrier identification system, Amazon can manage millions of shipments daily with minimal error risk.

Example:
A vendor shipping pallets of electronics from Dallas to an Amazon FC in Phoenix includes the SCAC “FDEN” in the ASN file to indicate FedEx as the carrier - enabling Amazon’s systems to route, track, and confirm delivery accurately.

In short:
SCAC (Standard Carrier Alpha Code) is a four-letter carrier identifier used in Amazon’s logistics and EDI systems to ensure accurate shipment tracking, carrier validation, and freight documentation across its global supply chain.