BIC Code Extraction: Container OCR API

The Challenge of Equipment Identification

Identifying container ownership quickly is critical for leasing companies and port authorities. The Bureau International des Conteneurs (BIC) assigns a unique 3-letter code to every owner, but extracting this specific string from a container door covered in decals, rust, and operational data is challenging. Standard text readers often confuse the BIC code with max gross weight text or logistics branding. To see how our engine cuts through this visual noise to isolate the exact owner, you can upload a test image to explore our core Container OCR capabilities completely free.

Precision Parsing for Owner Codes

Delivered strictly as a lightweight REST API to ensure seamless integration, this endpoint is powered by our Logistics Container OCR engine. It doesn't just read random text; it understands the specific structure of shipping codes. The engine applies strict ISO 6346 validation to confidently separate the 3-letter BIC code from the category identifier and serial number, guaranteeing precise ownership data for your software.

BIC Code Application Scenarios

Integration & AI Prompts

Call the endpoint directly via HTTP. The API is designed for maximum input versatility, natively accepting standard image URLs, direct multipart file uploads, or Base64-encoded strings.

import requests
import base64

# Prepare Base64 Image to extract the BIC Code
with open("container_door_capture.jpg", "rb") as image_file:
    base64_image = base64.b64encode(image_file.read()).decode('utf-8')

url = "https://api.structocr.com/v1/container"
headers = {
    "x-api-key": "YOUR_API_KEY",
    "Content-Type": "application/json"
}
payload = {
    "img": base64_image
}

try:
    print("Extracting BIC Owner Code...")
    response = requests.post(url, headers=headers, json=payload)
    result = response.json()

    if result.get('success'):
        data = result['data']
        parsed = data.get('parsed', {})
        print("✅ Ownership Data Extracted!")
        print(f"BIC Owner Code: {parsed.get('owner_code')}")
        print(f"Full ISO Code:  {data.get('container_number')}")
        print(f"Confidence:     {data.get('confidence')}")
    else:
        print(f"❌ Extraction Failed: {result.get('error')} - {result.get('message')}")

except Exception as e:
    print(f"An error occurred: {e}")

{
  "success": true,
  "data": {
    "container_number": "ZCSU8921655",
    "is_valid": true,
    "confidence": "High",
    "parsed": {
      "owner_code": "ZCS",
      "category": "U",
      "serial_number": "892165",
      "check_digit": "5"
    }
  }
}