Barcodes on Shipping Cartons
Scan cases at the dock without opening boxes or breaking retail packs.
Shipping case barcodes let docks receive cartons without opening retail packs—ITF-14 encodes GTIN-14 for master cases, while Code 128 carries ASN or SSCC strings your WMS expects. Generate ITF-14 in the ITF-14 generator and logistics strings with Code 128.
Why teams use this
DC put-away errors cascade to store out-of-stocks. Case-level symbols must scan through shrink wrap and corrugated at arm’s length with forklift-mounted imagers.
How to implement it
Print bold bars on kraft board, allow higher magnification than shelf labels, and pair ITF-14 with human-readable GTIN-14 text.
- Never use retail UPC/EAN alone when partners require GTIN-14 cases.
- Test through actual stretch film and corner wear zones.
- Align case GTIN with unit GTIN plus packaging indicator digit rules.
- Use wide labels on two opposing case faces when possible.
- Validate with dock guns under warehouse lighting, not phones alone.
Common mistakes
ITF-14 bars that are too narrow for corrugated substrates fail at the ramp. Another mistake is expecting case codes at checkout—POS still needs unit-level EAN/UPC. Do not rotate bars vertically on conveyors without testing scanner orientation.
Tools to get started
Use ITF-14 with ITF-14 guide and logistics labels for mixed-SKU pallets.