SCAC code format checker.

What a SCAC is and what this checks

A Standard Carrier Alpha Code is the short code that identifies a transportation company on freight paperwork: bills of lading, EDI shipment messages, invoices and customs filings. The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) describes it as a unique two-to-four letter code and is the official issuing authority. This page checks the one thing that can be checked without a registry: whether the text is shaped like a SCAC.

The format rules applied

The code must be letters only, with no digits, spaces or punctuation, and it must be two, three or four letters long. Input is converted to upper case, so abcd and ABCD are treated alike. Worked examples: ABCD passes. AB passes. A fails because it is one letter. ABCDE fails because it is five. AB1C fails because of the digit.

The U ending

NMFTA's renewal certificate states that alpha codes ending with the letter U have been reserved for the identification of freight containers, and that a non-U code should be used for other purposes such as company identification for Customs, electronic data interchange and freight payments. So a U-ending code is flagged. It is not necessarily wrong, but on a carrier or freight-payment document it deserves a second look. The related container owner code is checked on the ISO 6346 container number validator.

Verifying a code is real

Shape is the easy part. Whether NMFTA issued the code, to whom, and whether it is current is only answerable from NMFTA's own SCAC services, which include a verification page and an API. When a payment or a customs entry depends on the code, verify it there and also match the carrier's USDOT number in FMCSA SAFER (see the USDOT number checker). A code that looks right on a document someone emailed you, with bank details that changed, is a classic setup for freight payment fraud, so confirm through a contact you already trust.

Sources (each opened 2026-10-19): NMFTA, SCAC about page (two-to-four letter code; NMFTA as issuing authority; links to SCAC verification and API); NMFTA Certificate of SCAC Renewal, 2021 copy (codes ending in U reserved for freight containers). The NMFTA main site refused automated access, so the format rule was read from the about page and the certificate.

FAQ

What does a valid SCAC look like?

A SCAC is a unique code of two to four letters. It contains letters only, with no digits, spaces or punctuation. NMFTA is the issuing authority.

How do I look up a SCAC code?

Use the verification and lookup services on the NMFTA SCAC site. This tool only checks the format of what you type and does not look codes up or store them.

Can a SCAC end in the letter U?

NMFTA has reserved codes ending in U for freight container identification and says a non-U code should be used for company identification, EDI and freight payments. A U-ending code on a carrier document should be double checked.

Is a correctly formatted SCAC proof the carrier is legitimate?

No. Any four letters pass the format test. Confirm the code with NMFTA and match the carrier name and USDOT number in FMCSA SAFER before paying or tendering freight.

Is a SCAC the same as a USDOT number?

No. A SCAC is a short letter code from NMFTA used on freight documents, while a USDOT number is a numeric FMCSA registration identifier. A carrier can have both, and checking them against each other is a good verification step.

Does this tool send my SCAC anywhere?

No. The check runs in your browser and nothing is transmitted or stored.