Generate a GS1-128 barcode and SSCC (Serial Shipping Container Code) label for pallet-level shipping to retail trading partners

Steps

1. Understand SSCC structure: an SSCC is an 18-digit number composed of an Extension Digit (1), your GS1 Company Prefix (variable length), a Serial Reference (variable, allocated by you), and a Check Digit (1); obtain your GS1 Company Prefix by registering with your national GS1 organization (e.g., GS1 US).
2. Compute the SSCC check digit using the standard GS1 Mod-10 algorithm applied to the first 17 digits; implement this in your label generation code or use a GS1-certified barcode library.
3. Encode the SSCC in a GS1-128 barcode (a Code 128 barcode with GS1 Application Identifiers): use Application Identifier '00' followed by the 18-digit SSCC; the resulting barcode is what carriers and trading partners scan for pallet tracking.
4. Build the pallet label layout following GS1 standards and any trading partner-specific label requirements (many retailers require specific zones for SSCC, Ship To, Ship From, PO Number, and item data); use Application Identifiers such as '420' for Ship-To postal code, '91' for trading partner internal reference, and '02'/'37' for pallet content GTIN and quantity.
5. Generate the physical label using a thermal label printer (typically 4x6 or 4x8 inch format at 203 or 300 DPI) using ZPL, EPL, or PDF output from your label generation library; verify the barcode scans correctly with a barcode verifier before production use.
6. Correlate each SSCC with the contents of the pallet in your WMS and include the SSCC in the EDI 856 Advance Ship Notice (ASN) transmitted to the trading partner.