Shipping Container Number Decoder

Extract and validate ISO 6346 container identification numbers

Container
Example: TLLU3628717

Our free shipping container number decoder interprets ISO 6346 container identifiers, such as CSQU3054383. The format combines a three-letter owner code, an equipment category letter, a six-digit serial number and a final check digit. Decoding can check the number format but cannot reveal the container’s current location or cargo.

Need to decode Container barcodes in your app?

Copy the example below to get started using our free Barcode Parser API. No API key needed.

cURL Node.js Python C# Go PHP Java HTML
barcode=$'TLLU3628717'
curl -sS -G https://parser.orcascan.com/ \
    --data-urlencode "barcode=$barcode" \
    --data-urlencode 'type=container'
// Node.js 18+
var barcode = "TLLU3628717";
var url = "https://parser.orcascan.com/?barcode=" + encodeURIComponent(barcode) + "&type=container";

fetch(url)
    .then(function(res) { return res.json(); })
    .then(console.log);
import json
from urllib.parse import quote
from urllib.request import urlopen

barcode = "TLLU3628717"
url = "https://parser.orcascan.com/?barcode=" + quote(barcode, safe="") + "&type=container"

with urlopen(url) as response:
    print(json.load(response))
using System;
using System.Net.Http;

var barcode = "TLLU3628717";
var url = "https://parser.orcascan.com/?barcode=" + Uri.EscapeDataString(barcode) + "&type=container";

using var client = new HttpClient();
Console.WriteLine(await client.GetStringAsync(url));
package main

import (
    "io"
    "net/http"
    "net/url"
    "os"
)

func main() {
    barcode := "TLLU3628717"
    endpoint := "https://parser.orcascan.com/?barcode=" + url.QueryEscape(barcode) + "&type=container"
    res, err := http.Get(endpoint)
    if err != nil { panic(err) }
    defer res.Body.Close()
    io.Copy(os.Stdout, res.Body)
}
<?php
$barcode = "TLLU3628717";
$url = "https://parser.orcascan.com/?barcode=" . rawurlencode($barcode) . "&type=container";

echo file_get_contents($url);
import java.net.URI;
import java.net.URLEncoder;
import java.net.http.*;
import java.nio.charset.StandardCharsets;

class BarcodeParser {
    public static void main(String[] args) throws Exception {
        String barcode = "TLLU3628717";
        String url = "https://parser.orcascan.com/?barcode=" +
            URLEncoder.encode(barcode, StandardCharsets.UTF_8) + "&type=container";
        var request = HttpRequest.newBuilder(URI.create(url)).build();
        var response = HttpClient.newHttpClient().send(
            request, HttpResponse.BodyHandlers.ofString());
        System.out.println(response.body());
    }
}
<!doctype html>
<html>
<body>
<pre id="result">Loading...</pre>
<script>
var barcode = "TLLU3628717";
var url = "https://parser.orcascan.com/?barcode=" + encodeURIComponent(barcode) + "&type=container";
fetch(url)
    .then(function(res) { return res.json(); })
    .then(function(json) {
        document.getElementById("result").textContent = JSON.stringify(json, null, 2);
    });
</script>
</body>
</html>

Need to decode lots of Container barcodes?

Import a spreadsheet of barcodes and automatically extract their data into separate columns.

Decode barcodes in bulk →

Need to extract Container data as you scan?

Scan barcodes with your phone and automatically capture their data in a shared spreadsheet.

Scan with your phone →

Frequently asked questions

How is an ISO 6346 container number structured?

It contains a three-letter owner code, an equipment category letter, six serial-number digits and a final check digit, for a total of 11 characters.

What do U, J and Z mean in a container number?

The fourth character is the equipment category: U for freight containers, J for detachable container-related equipment and Z for trailers or chassis.

How is an ISO 6346 check digit used?

The last digit is calculated from the preceding four letters and six digits using assigned letter values and positional weights. A mismatch can indicate a reading or transcription error.

Need help tracking Container barcodes?

We've helped organizations of all sizes tackle barcode challenges, chat with our team live for help to find a solution.