Container number
The four-letter ISO 6346 prefix identifies the equipment owner and category. It may point to an associated shipping line, but it does not prove which carrier is moving the box.
Free SCAC code lookup
Find the ocean carrier associated with a known container, bill of lading, or booking prefix. The lookup and downloadable code list are free, with no signup.
Carrier from a container prefix
Match the four-letter equipment prefix to an associated ocean carrier in our directory. The equipment owner may differ from the carrier moving it.
What this lookup checks
Choose the kind of shipping number in front of you. Known leading codes match Terminal49's ocean carrier directory immediately. For unprefixed bills of lading and booking numbers, SCACbot returns a labeled prediction with its confidence.
Bill of lading number
Some master bills begin with the carrier's four-letter SCAC. House bills and unprefixed carrier bills do not have an exact prefix match, so SCACbot reports a likely carrier and confidence instead.
Booking number
Booking formats vary by carrier. A known leading SCAC returns an exact match. Otherwise SCACbot predicts a likely carrier from the number and reports its confidence.
For official registration status, verify SCACs through NMFTA and search container owner codes in the BIC register.
SCAC code list: every code this lookup covers
The full contents of the lookup, so you can scan for a match without typing anything. It covers 35 ocean carriers from Terminal49's carrier directory. It is not the complete NMFTA SCAC register, which also covers trucking and rail.
Data updated May 29, 2026
Container prefixes identify the registered equipment owner under ISO 6346. The owner can be a leasing company or a different line than the carrier moving the box, so a prefix match is a starting point, not proof of who is carrying your shipment.
Open reference data
Download, cite, or embed the carrier code list
75 known SCACs, alternate SCACs, and container prefixes from Terminal49's ocean carrier directory. Updated May 29, 2026. No signup or access key required, and the data is free to reuse with attribution and a link back to this page.
How to cite this dataset
Link to this page so readers can see the lookup limits and retrieve the latest version.
Terminal49. Ocean carrier SCAC and container prefix reference. Updated May 29, 2026. https://terminal49.com/tools/scac-code-lookupEmbed the lookup
Add the no-signup carrier lookup to a reference page, internal wiki, or forum answer.
<iframe src="https://terminal49.com/tools/embed/scac-code-lookup" title="Ocean carrier SCAC lookup" width="100%" height="650" loading="lazy"></iframe>Common ocean carrier codes
Open a carrier page for its SCAC, known container prefixes, supported tracking number types, and tracking options.
Browse all shipping linesSCAC and carrier prefix questions
What is a SCAC code?
A Standard Carrier Alpha Code is a two-to-four-letter identifier for a transportation company. NMFTA issues and governs SCACs. This free lookup covers ocean carriers in Terminal49’s directory, not the complete NMFTA register.
Is a container prefix the same as a carrier SCAC?
Not necessarily. Under ISO 6346, the first three letters identify the registered equipment owner or principal operator and the fourth letter identifies the equipment category. The equipment owner can differ from the carrier moving the container.
Can every bill of lading or booking number identify its carrier?
No. Some master bills of lading begin with a carrier SCAC, but formats vary and booking numbers often contain no carrier code. This tool returns exact known-prefix matches first. Otherwise SCACbot can return a probability-based prediction, which should be confirmed against the source document or carrier portal.
Can I download or reuse the SCAC code list?
Yes. The full directory behind this lookup is a free CSV or JSON download with no signup or access key. Reuse it with attribution and a link back to this page.
Where can I verify whether a SCAC is active?
Use SCAC Verified from NMFTA for official status and identity-verification information. Terminal49’s lookup is an ocean-carrier reference, not an official SCAC status check.
Checking the number itself? Use the ISO 6346 container check digit calculator.
Once you know the number, keep the shipment moving
For cargo owners and importers
Follow ocean shipments across suppliers and carriers without checking each carrier portal one by one.
Track containers freeFor freight forwarders and 3PLs
Keep shipments from different ocean carriers in one operating view and share updates with customers.
Read the tracking API docs