SSCC-18 Versus Purchase Order Numbers: What's Different For Retail Receiving

SSCC-18 The 18-digit Serial Shipping Container Code commonly encoded on logistics labels for retail receiving. While both SSCC-18s and purchase order numbers appear on shipping paperwork, they serve different purposes in retail receiving.

Purchase orders (POs) reference the commercial transaction between buyer and seller; SSCC-18s reference physical logistic units. Receiving teams use POs to confirm ordered items and quantities, but they use SSCC-18s to identify, scan, and track the exact pallet or carton delivered. Understanding how these identifiers interact reduces exceptions and speeds reconciliation.

Core Differences

• What They Identify: A PO identifies the order (contractual agreement). An SSCC-18 identifies the physical shipping unit.
• Scope: A single PO can be fulfilled across many SSCC-18-coded pallets or cartons; a single SSCC-18 maps to exactly one logistic unit.
• Persistence: POs persist as transaction records. SSCC-18s are unique per logistic unit and should not be reused while the unit remains in the supply chain.

How Retail Receiving Uses Both

Effective receiving reconciles SSCC-18s to PO and ASN data. Typical flow at a retail DC:

• ASN Includes SSCCs: Suppliers include SSCC-18s in the ASN (EDI 856) so the retailer knows what to expect at the pallet level.
• At Dock: Receiving staff scan the SSCC-18 on arrival. The WMS matches the scanned SSCC to ASN lines and the originating PO to confirm contents.
• Exception Handling: If quantities or items differ, the SSCC lets teams isolate which pallet or carton has the discrepancy instead of reconciling entire POs manually.

Benefits Of Using SSCC-18 With POs

Pairing SSCC-18 with PO-centric processes yields practical benefits:

• Faster Unloading: Dock staff can accept or divert pallets by scanning SSCCs without opening cases when ASN and PO details match.
• Precise Putaway: The SSCC ties a specific pallet to inventory records, enabling direct putaway to the correct location linked to the PO lines.
• Improved Chargebacks Handling: Retailers can more accurately apply penalties or credits by referencing the exact SSCC involved in an exception.

Process Design Considerations

Design receiving processes so both identifiers are validated and used where they add value:

• Require SSCCs On ASN: Make SSCC inclusion mandatory in supplier ASN requirements to enable pallet-level pre-advice.
• WMS Integration: Configure the WMS to accept SSCC scans first, then reconcile SSCC contents against the PO/ASN in-system.
• Label Standards: Specify GS1-128 with Application Identifier (00) for SSCC encoding and consistent label placement.

Common Mistakes And How To Avoid Them

Retailers and suppliers often make preventable errors when treating SSCCs and POs interchangeably:

• Mistake: Using PO As Pallet ID: PO numbers are not unique to logistic units; using them as labels prevents accurate tracking. Fix: Require a separate SSCC per pallet.
• Mistake: Missing SSCCs On ASN: Without SSCCs, receiving becomes manual and slower. Fix: Enforce ASN formats that include SSCCs for each logistic unit.
• Data Sync Failures: Mismatches between ASN, PO, and SSCC records cause delays. Fix: Implement automated reconciliation logic in the WMS and exception workflows for quick resolution.

Practical Example

A retailer issues PO 45001234 to a supplier. The supplier ships three pallets and assigns SSCC-18s 000123456789012345, 000123456789012346, and 000123456789012347. The supplier includes all three SSCCs on the ASN. At the dock, the retailer scans each SSCC as the pallets arrive; the WMS confirms which ASN line and PO items are on each pallet and routes them for putaway. If pallet 000123456789012346 is short two cartons, the retailer can generate an exception tied to that SSCC and the specific PO, simplifying claims and inventory adjustments.

Checklist For Retail Teams

• Policy: Require SSCC-18 on all pallet and master carton labels from suppliers.
• ASN Rules: Demand SSCC inclusion in ASN/EDI 856 transmissions.
• WMS Settings: Configure SSCC validation and automated matching to POs/ASNs.
• Training: Train dock staff to scan SSCCs first, then verify PO/ASN matches if discrepancies appear.

In short, the SSCC-18 complements purchase order numbers by uniquely identifying the physical shipping unit, enabling accurate scanning, faster receiving, and clearer exception handling in retail supply chains.