UIC车厢编号是铁路货车及客车的唯一区分标识，它包含用于铁路运输的重要密钥数据。车厢编号由国际铁路联盟指定，并构成了铁路运输企业、铁路基础设施企业以及相关政府机构之间的共同语言。

一套完整的UIC车厢编号包含有12位数字，在此情况下，车厢编号的的单位数字通常具有以下含义：

Wagon numbers (or coach numbers) are key data for railway operations. They enable a railway wagon or coach to be positively identified and form a common language between railway operators, infrastructure companies and the state authorities. The system of wagon numbering has been laid down by the International Union of Railways (Union internationale des chemins de fer or UIC) and is similar to that used for the locomotives and multiple units.