The SCAC Box That Can Shut Down Your Container Business

If your trucking company hauls shipping containers, there is one small checkbox on federal registration forms that can completely shut down your operation — and most carriers don’t even realize it.

The box is labeled something like:

“Combined Intermodal Trucking and Rail”

And when you hover over it, you see this warning:

“Do not check this box if you need a SCAC to enter a port to haul containers.”

Let’s explain what that actually means in plain English.

What is a SCAC?

SCAC stands for Standard Carrier Alpha Code. It is a four-letter code that identifies your trucking company inside:

• Seaports

• Rail yards

• Steamship lines

• Container terminals

• Intermodal systems

  
  

Without a SCAC:

• You cannot pull ocean containers

• Ports will deny gate access

• Rail yards won’t release containers

• Brokers cannot dispatch loads

  
  

If you do drayage, intermodal, or import/export trucking, a SCAC is mandatory.

Why this checkbox is dangerous

That checkbox is not asking if you haul containers.

It is asking if you are a railroad or rail-intermodal operator.

When you check it, you are telling the U.S. DOT:

“We operate rail equipment or rail intermodal systems.”

So, the system:

• Does not issue a SCAC

• Classifies you incorrectly

• Breaks your port access

• Mismatches your insurance filings

• Causes brokers to reject you

Your trucks may be legal — but you’ll be blocked from every container terminal.

Who should NOT check this box

If you are a:

• Drayage carrier

• Container hauler

• Port trucker

• Intermodal trucker

• Import/export carrier

• Cross-border carrier

You must leave this box unchecked.

These carriers need a SCAC.

Who should check it

Only companies that:

• Own or operate rail equipment

• Are railroads

• Run train-based freight systems

This does not apply to regular trucking companies.

This mistake costs companies thousands

At GLS Insurance, we see this all the time:

A carrier clicks that box. Their SCAC never gets issued. They show up at the port. And get turned away.

Then:

• Loads are canceled

• Brokers blacklist them

• Storage fees hit

• Insurance filings don’t match

• DOT corrections are required

Fixing it can take weeks.

GLS Tip

If you haul containers, you need:

• A SCAC

• Correct DOT classification

• Matching insurance filings

  
  

One wrong box can break all three.

If you’re not sure whether your company is set up correctly, GLS Insurance can review your DOT profile and filings before it costs you freight.