The transport label is used to keep track of a pallet during transport and to meet requirements for the logistics process, for example tracking goods. The label contains the carriers information, for example from and to whom the logistic unit should be sent.
The transport label consists of three parts
- The top of the label contains address information, that is, from whom and to whom the unit is to be sent.
- The middle part of the label contains plain text information of the barcode information.
- The lower part of the label contains the barcode information.
The image below shows an example of a transport label.
Example of a transport label.
Address and instructions
On the upper part of the transport label, the addresses of the recipient and the consignor of the logistic unit should be stated in text. Here you can also note transport instructions, information to the carrier and, if necessary, even information to the end customer.
Plain text information
The barcode on the label sometimes becomes unreadable and therefore the information contained in the barcode should also always be given in plain text. The middle part of the label is reserved for the plain text information.
The middle part of the label uses standardized descriptions, known as “Data Titles”, to indicate the type of information contained in the plain text. Examples of Data Titles are “SSCC” or “BATCH/LOT”.
Barcoded information
The lower part of the label contains the barcode information. The barcode GS1-128 should be used on the label.
The barcode should always contain the logistic units SSCC (Serial Shipping Container Code). When a transport label is used together with a pallet label and/or a retail and customer package label, the same SSCC should be stated on the labels, or only one of the labels should contain SSCC.
GS1-128 includes so called application identifiers (AI). They describe the type of information contained in the barcode. An application identifier consists of two to four digits and is printed in parentheses below the barcode along with the information it describes. The application identifier for SSCC is for example “00”.
The industry is united
The transport industry has agreed to use GS1’s international standard for transport label. The label is developed by GS1 in cooperation with international carriers and transport customers. It is a variant of the GS1 Logistic Label.