What a BIC code identifies
A BIC code is a three-letter owner prefix. Together with the equipment category letter it forms the first four characters of an ISO 6346 container number. One company can hold several prefixes, and the party that owns a prefix may differ from the lessor, the operator or the carrier currently moving the container.
Looking up an owner
Owner prefixes are searchable in BIC's own register. A registered prefix tells you who holds the code — not whether a particular serial number exists or is in service.
- Search the owner register: bic-code.org
- Technical equipment data (BoxTech): bic-boxtech.org
Checkdigit validates a number's format and check digit but does not look owners up automatically, and never fabricates a registry result. Owner lookup is an explicit link to BIC.
BIC code versus check digit
A valid check digit and a registered BIC code answer different questions. The check digit confirms the number is internally consistent; the BIC register confirms the prefix belongs to a real owner. Neither proves the specific container exists or where it is.