Colloquially, many know GTIN as a barcode, but technically, GTIN is the number found beneath the barcode symbol itself, and can therefore also be used for other technologies such as 2D barcodes and RFID tags.
Get Smart on Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC)
Latest updated
17.3.2026
Read this guide for a quick overview of building SSCCs, what they are used for, and how you can get started.
Before you order
SSCC is used to uniquely identify each shipping unit, such as a pallet or package.
Each shipping unit must have its own unique SSCC number — even if the same products are in it. For example: Two pallets with red umbrellas must each have a unique SSCC in order to be easily tracked through the supply chain. Among other things, this is an advantage in the case of recalls.
How do you get an SSCC number?
You form an SSCC number from the 7 to 11-digit number that you order and receive from GS1 Denmark through With GS1.
Read more below about the structure of an SSCC:
SSCC on the basis of 7 digits
Enterprise-controlled prefix. You can choose a digit from 0-9 for yourself here.
GS1 7-digit company prefix (GS1 Prefix and company reference number).
Consecutive number (reference number of the consignment unit): You have these 9 digits at your disposal. It is recommended to start with 9 zeros, then 000000001, etc.
Enterprise-controlled prefix. You can choose a digit from 0-9 for yourself here.
GS1 Business Prefix of 8 digits (GS1 Prefix and Company Reference Number).
Consecutive number (reference number of the consignment unit): You have these 8 digits at your disposal. It is recommended to start with 8 zeros, then 00000001, etc.
Enterprise-controlled prefix. You can choose a digit from 0-9 for yourself here.
GS1 9-digit company prefix (GS1 Prefix and company reference number).
Consecutive number (reference number of the consignment unit): You have these 7 digits at your disposal. It is recommended to start with 7 zeros, then 0000001, etc.
Enterprise-controlled prefix. You can choose a digit from 0-9 for yourself here.
GS1 Business Prefix of 10 digits (GS1 Prefix and Company Reference Number).
Consecutive number (reference number of the consignment unit): You have these 6 digits at your disposal. It is recommended to start with 6 zeros, then 000001, etc.
Enterprise-controlled prefix. You can choose a digit from 0-9 for yourself here.
GS1 Company Prefix of 11 digits (GS1 Prefix and Company Reference Number).
Consecutive number (reference number of the consignment unit): These 5 digits are at your disposal. It is recommended to start with 5 zeros, then 00001, etc.
Enterprise-controlled prefix. You can choose a digit from 0-9 for yourself here.
GS1 12-digit company prefix (GS1 Prefix and company reference number).
Consecutive number (reference number of the consignment unit): These 4 digits are at your disposal. It is recommended to start with 4 zeros, then 0001, etc.
When an SSCC number is to be expressed in a barcode, it is done in the GS1-128 barcode, which is typically used on pallet labels. Read more about how to build a pallet label.
GS1-128 is built from Application Identifiers (AI). They describe the types of information contained in the barcode. SSCC is disclosed using AI (00).
If one has a mix pallet, AI (00) SSCC may be the only key expressed on the pallet label, thus omitting specific product information.
Can SSCC numbers be reused?
At least 24 months must pass before an SSCC can be reused on the Danish market. The general recommendation is to assign a unique SSCC to each pallet.
