# How to create an SSCC label

By Rotomal team · Updated 2026-11-07 · Part of [Carton Ready](https://rotomal.com/sscc-labels/)

**Short answer:** An SSCC label identifies one carton or pallet with an 18-digit Serial Shipping Container Code. Build the number from an extension digit, your GS1 Company Prefix, a serial reference you never reuse, and a GS1 check digit. Encode it in a GS1-128 barcode with Application Identifier (00), print it on an A6 / 4x6 label (A5 / 6x8 for pallets with more data), place it as your retailer's routing guide says, and send the same SSCC in your advance ship notice.

## The 18 digits of an SSCC

| Part | Digits | What it is |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Extension digit | 1 | 0 to 9, chosen by you to increase numbering capacity |
| GS1 Company Prefix | Varies by GS1 member organisation | Issued to your company by a GS1 member organisation |
| Serial reference | The rest, so the first 17 digits are filled | Your own running number, for example 0000001, 0000002 |
| Check digit | 1 | Calculated from the first 17 digits with the GS1 algorithm |

The GS1 guideline says the SSCC should be assigned by the company that builds the logistic unit, using its own company prefix, and the simplest way to allocate serial references is sequentially.

## How to calculate the check digit

- Take the first 17 digits.
- Starting from the rightmost digit, multiply digits alternately by 3 and 1 (rightmost × 3, next × 1, and so on).
- Add the results.
- The check digit is the number you add to reach the next multiple of 10 (0 if the sum already is one).
- Example with GS1's sample prefix 0614141: extension digit 1, serial 123456789 gives 10614141123456789; the check digit is 7, so the SSCC is 106141411234567897.

## Encoding it in GS1-128

The SSCC is always shown in a GS1-128 barcode, preceded by Application Identifier (00), with the human-readable text (00) 1 0614141 123456789 7 printed below. GS1-128 is Code 128 that starts with the special FNC1 character, which is what tells a scanner the data uses Application Identifiers. In ZPL, one way Zebra documents is the Code 128 command, starting subset C and inserting FNC1. This example is for a 203 dpi (8 dots per mm) printer on a 4 x 6 inch label:

```
^XA
^FO60,850^BY4
^BCN,260,Y,N,N
^FD>;>800106141411234567897^FS
^XZ
```

Here >; selects Code 128 subset C and >8 inserts FNC1. At 203 dpi, ^BY4 makes the narrow bar 4 dots (0.50 mm) and a height of 260 dots is about 32.5 mm, inside GS1's limits of 0.495 to 0.94 mm and at least 31.75 mm. At 300 dpi (12 dots per mm) use ^BY6 and a height of at least 381 dots. With mode N the printer's interpretation line shows the 20 digits without brackets; to print (00) in brackets, use mode D on newer firmware or a separate text field. Always scan a test print and confirm the scanner reads (00) followed by the 18 digits.

## Label size and layout

- A6 (105 x 148 mm) or 4 x 6 inch: suitable when only the SSCC or the SSCC and a little extra data is encoded, for example on cartons.
- A5 (148 x 210 mm) or 6 x 8 inch: when more data is needed, for example on pallet labels.
- GS1 describes three building blocks: a free-format block (company, addresses, logos), text with data titles, and the GS1-128 barcodes. The SSCC must always be the lowest barcode on the label.
- Other common data: GTIN of contained items (02), count (37), batch or lot (10), purchase order (400), as your customer requires.

## Where to put it

- Pallets: the GS1 guideline targets 400 to 800 mm (16 to 32 inches) from the pallet base for the bottom of the barcode, at least 50 mm from any vertical edge, and recommends identical labels on two sides.
- Cartons: follow the routing guide; labels over a seam, wrapped round a corner or covered by tape fail compliance even if they scan, according to SPS Commerce.

## Match the ASN

Retailers match the scanned SSCC with the EDI 856 advance ship notice. SPS Commerce says the SSCC on the label must exactly match the one in the ASN, and that a mismatch causes receiving delays and chargebacks. Keep a log of every SSCC you issue and never reuse one.

## If you want this done for you

Carton Ready reads your retailer's routing guide and builds your carton and pallet templates in ZPL and PDF, SSCC numbering from your prefix and an ASN match file, as a one-time service. A label check of your existing labels costs $19.

## FAQ

### Can I reuse an SSCC?

Do not reuse one for a different carton or pallet. SPS Commerce says SSCCs must never be reused, and duplicate numbers break receiving at the retailer.

### Is UCC-128 the same as GS1-128?

Yes. UCC-128 is the older name, still used in many routing guides, for the GS1-128 barcode.

### Is the SSCC the only required element?

For GS1 it is the only mandatory element of a logistics label. Retailers usually require more fields; their routing guide decides.

## Sources

- GS1 Logistics Label Guideline, Release 1.1 (August 2016) https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/logistic-label/1.1.0/
- SPS Commerce: Labeling for new suppliers (updated 5 August 2026) https://www.spscommerce.com/community/articles/labeling-for-new-suppliers-gs1-128-sscc-and-where-labels-have-to-go
- Zebra ZPL programming guide: ^BC Code 128 (subsets, FNC1, AI 00 examples) https://docs.zebra.com/us/en/printers/software/zpl-pg/c-zpl-zpl-commands/r-zpl-bc.html
- Cleverence: GS1-128 barcode generator and SSCC template https://www.cleverence.com/label/barcode-generator/gs1-128

[Carton Ready](https://rotomal.com/sscc-labels/) does this for you. Request it free, no card: https://rotomal.com/sscc-labels/request/
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Rotomal · https://rotomal.com/sscc-labels/how-to-create-sscc-label/ · hello@rotomal.com