Record Layout for SCAC Data - Daily Distribution File
Updated
Standard Carrier Alpha Code® (SCAC®)
The SCAC Data – Daily Distribution File is available on a calendar year subscription basis transmitted either by email or sFTP (push or pull). To subscribe/purchase the SCAC Daily Distribution Service, go to scaccode.com, select Purchase Data Products, and then SCAC Data – Daily Distribution Service. Your subscription is available for delivery by email or SFTP (push or pull).
The data is generated and delivered using an extended ASCII character set encoded using UTF-8 to allow for correct foreign company names and addresses. If your database, development tools, or system does not support this extended ASCII character set, you must replace or remove the extended characters prior to importing the data. If you attempt to import the data without UTF-8 support or replace the extended ASCII character set, the fixed file format may “blow out”, since certain extended ASCII characters may be improperly translated into two characters instead of one.
NMFTA does not recommend stripping or replacing extended characters since your data will not reflect the proper company names and addresses as we have on record, and make programmatic matches more difficult between systems. The recommended solution is to use a database and/or development tools that are capable of supporting the UTF-8 character set.
Each file has a header record containing the file date (YYYY-MM-DD) and a trailer record containing a summary of the NEW, REN, MOD, and EXP (cancels) plus a grand total of all the records contained in the file.
NEW means that a new SCAC has been assigned.
REN means that a SCAC that was previously cancelled has been reactivated for the same company.
MOD means that either one or more of the following fields have been changed: Company Name, Address, City, State, Zip, MCN, U.S. DOT Number.
EXP means that the SCAC has been deactivated.
Please note the following:
A SCAC that has been expired for more than three years may be reassigned to another company. A SCAC that has been canceled is available for reassignment after a 90-day waiting period.
The status of each record can be determined by the value in field 259, Transaction ID.
Record Layout
Abbreviation
Definition
1-4
SCAC
5-12
MCN
13-111
Company Name
112-161
Address
162-190
City
191-193
State
194-203
Zip
204-223
Country
224-233
Phone
234 SYMS
Do not use
235 SYMS
Do not use
236 SYMS
Do not use
237-241 SYMX
4 followed by SCAC=new alpha code due to a name change, 8 followed by SCAC=reinstated alpha code
242-249
U.S. DOT Number
250
equipment mark (B=BIC assigned container mark, E=railroad equipment mark, U=NMFTA assigned container mark, X=private railcar, Z=trailer or chassis)
251-258
Transaction Date; MMDDYYYY
259
Transaction ID; 1=NEW, 2=REN, 3=MOD, 4=EXP
Null is a valid value in all fields except SCAC, Company Name, Transaction Date, Transaction ID.
Explanation of MCN Field
In the majority of instances, the docket number of the entity will appear in this field. This indicates that the entity holds authority formerly issued by the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) or Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). If no docket number is shown, the authority is pending.
When an abbreviation is used in this column, in lieu of a number, the company's primary type of operation is explained below:
Abbreviations and Primary Types of Operation
Abbreviation
Primary Type of Operation
AGENTS
Carrier Tariff Publishing Bureau
AIRLIN
Air Carrier or Air Taxi of any Type
BIMXCA
Passenger Motor Carrier operating only in Mexico or Central America
BINCDA
Passenger Motor Carrier operating in only Canada
BINTRA
Passenger Motor Carrier with only Intrastate Operating Authority
BROKER
Freight or Passenger Transportation Broker not Licensed by the FMCSA
EXEMPT
Motor Freight Carrier Hauling Exempt Commodities
FF-AIR
Air Freight Forwarder
F?????
Surface Freight Forwarder Licensed by the FMCSA
FRTFWD
Surface Freight Forwarder not Licensed by the FMCSA
GT????
Government Traffic Certificate issued by the former ICC (???? = docket number)
LEASCO
Equipment Leasing Company
LOCART
Local Cartage Company
MINCDA
Motor Freight Carrier Operating only in Canada
MINEUR
European Motor Carrier
MINMEX
Motor Freight Carrier Operating only in Mexico or South America
MINTRA
Motor Freight Carrier Operating only within One State
MINUSA
Motor Carrier Owned and Operated by the U.S. Government
NVOCC
Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier
PIPELN
Pipe Line Company
PRVCAR
Private Motor Carriage or Private Rail Car Company
RAILRD
Railroad
RREQMK
Railroad Equipment Mark
RR-WTR
Railroad Car Ferry
TVLAGT
Travel Agency
W-????
Water Carrier Certificate issued by the former ICC (???? = docket number)
WATAGT
Steamship Agent
WATRLN
Steamship Company, Barge Line, Automobile Ferry, etc.