Where Is the SSCC Used? Physical and Digital Locations in the Supply Chain

Understanding where the SSCC appears — both physically and digitally — helps beginners visualize how one code links real-world goods to systems and processes. The SSCC isn’t confined to a single location; it lives on the logistic unit itself and moves through multiple systems and locations throughout its lifecycle.

Physical locations where you’ll see an SSCC

• Pallets and load units: The most common place is on pallet labels. An SSCC in a GS1-128 barcode is affixed to a visible side of the pallet so dock and warehouse staff can quickly scan it.
• Cartons, crates, and totes: When cartons or totes are handled as separate logistic units, each receives its own SSCC label.
• Shipping containers and trailers: In some workflows, containerized shipments or trailers are given SSCCs to identify the entire load during transport and customs clearance.
• Returns and staging areas: During returns processing or staging, logistic units may be relabeled with SSCCs for traceability through returns and inspection workflows.

Digital locations and systems that store or exchange SSCCs

• Warehouse Management Systems (WMS): Record SSCC attributes, scan events, storage location, and inventory status for the specific logistic unit. The WMS drives put-away, picking, and movement tasks using SSCC references.
• Transport Management Systems (TMS): Include SSCCs in transport orders, track chain-of-custody events, and coordinate pickups and deliveries by referencing SSCCs.
• ERP systems: Use SSCCs in shipment records, accounting flows, and to reconcile delivered units with purchase orders and invoices.
• EDI/APIs/ASNs: Electronic messages such as DESADV (EDIFACT) or ANSI X12 ASN transmissions include SSCCs so receivers can pre-advise inbound logistic units and match them to physical arrivals.
• Carrier portals and track-and-trace tools: Carriers record SSCC scans for proof of pickup and proof of delivery events and share them with shippers and consignees.

Where in the supply chain lifecycle the SSCC appears

1. At packing/palletization: SSCCs are generated and labels printed as logistic units are prepared.
2. Pre-shipment documentation: SSCCs are included in ASNs and shipping manifests so recipients can expect and identify arriving units.
3. During transport: Carriers scan SSCCs at pickup, transfers, and delivery milestones; these scans feed tracking systems.
4. At receiving: Receiving teams scan SSCCs to confirm deliveries, update inventory, and trigger put-away processes.
5. In storage and handling: SSCCs are used to move, count, and select logistic units inside warehouses or cross-dock facilities.
6. At returns and disposal: SSCCs can be referenced during returns processing, inspection, recall handling, or final disposal.

Industry and location variations

• Retail distribution centers: SSCCs are used extensively to speed receiving and to coordinate store allocations and cross-dock operations.
• Cold chain environments: SSCC labels must be durable and scannable under cold, wet, or frozen conditions — label placement and material selection matter here.
• Pharmaceuticals and regulated goods: SSCCs support strict traceability requirements; units are tracked end-to-end to comply with regulatory standards.
• International shipments and ports: SSCCs may be referenced in freight forwarder documentation and container manifests to support customs checks and transfer handling.

Best practices for where an SSCC should be placed and recorded

• Place labels on a consistent, visible side of the pallet or carton so scanners and workers can find them quickly.
• Use GS1-128 formatted barcodes with AI 00 for SSCCs so system interpretation is standardized.
• Record the SSCC in both the physical label and the electronic ASN, WMS, or ERP record before shipment departs to avoid reconciliation delays at receiving.
• Choose label materials and adhesives appropriate for the environment (cold, heat, moisture, abrasions) to ensure reliable scanning.

Common mistakes about where SSCCs belong

• Assuming SSCCs only live on physical labels — they are equally a digital reference and must be transmitted to receiving systems.
• Placing labels in locations that get damaged during transport or blocked by stretch wrap, making them unreadable at the dock.
• Not synchronizing the SSCC between the label and the ASN/EDI message, causing receiving teams to manually reconcile deliveries.

In short, SSCCs appear everywhere that matters: physically on logistic units at packing, during transport and delivery, and digitally inside WMS, TMS, ERP and EDI messages. Correct placement and consistent recording across these locations are essential to unlock the efficiencies and traceability SSCCs provide.