Tier 2 · Supply Chain Terms

SCAC Code

A SCAC Code (Standard Carrier Alpha Code) is a unique 2-4 letter identifier assigned to transportation companies by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA), used to identify carriers in freight documentation, EDI transactions, and transportation management systems.

Why It Matters

SCAC codes are the carrier identifier that connects every system in the supply chain: TMS, WMS, ERP, carrier portals, EDI transactions, and visibility platforms. Accurate SCAC mapping is essential for carrier performance tracking, freight audit, and exception management.

The FourKites Perspective

The FourKites Graph indexes 16,842 SCACs across the carrier network. Every carrier performance metric (on-time rate, transit time distribution, exception frequency, response time) is tracked at the SCAC level by lane and mode. When Tracy contacts a carrier, the SCAC identifies which entity in the Graph's carrier intelligence layer to query for reliability data and communication preferences.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is scac code?

A SCAC Code (Standard Carrier Alpha Code) is a unique 2-4 letter identifier assigned to transportation companies by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA), used to identify carriers in freight documentation, EDI transactions, and transportation management systems.

How does AI change scac code management?

AI transforms scac code from a reactive metric measured after the fact into a proactive capability predicted and optimized in real time. AI agents monitor data continuously, detect anomalies before they become problems, and take autonomous action using network intelligence from the FourKites Graph, which aggregates cross-company patterns from 882 enterprise shippers.

How does FourKites handle scac code?

The FourKites Graph indexes 16,842 SCACs across the carrier network. Every carrier performance metric (on-time rate, transit time distribution, exception frequency, response time) is tracked at the SCAC level by lane and mode. When Tracy contacts a carrier, the SCAC identifies which entity in the Graph's carrier intelligence layer to query for reliability data and communication preferences.

See how this concept powers autonomous operations.