STCCs

STCC stands for the Standard Transportation Commodity Code. It is a hierarchical classification system used primarily in North America to describe goods and materials being transported. The STCC system provides a standardized way to identify and categorize a vast array of commodities, enabling consistent data collection and analysis across different transportation modes, including rail, truck, and air.

The STCC codes are organized into a numerical system, starting with broad categories and becoming more specific as the digits increase. A typical STCC code consists of seven digits. The first two digits represent major groups of commodities, the next two digits denote subgroups, and the final three digits identify specific items within those subgroups. For example, a code might represent a specific type of grain, a particular manufactured product, or a raw material.

The primary purpose of the STCC system is to facilitate the collection, tabulation, and analysis of transportation statistics. By using a uniform coding system, government agencies, transportation companies, and researchers can accurately track the movement of goods, understand commodity flows, and make informed decisions regarding infrastructure development, policy, and market trends. While the STCC system has been widely used, newer systems like the Harmonized System (HS) are also gaining prominence, particularly for international trade. However, the STCC remains a vital tool for domestic transportation data in North America.