IMPA codes explained
An IMPA code is a six-digit number that identifies one product, matched to one exact description. It is the shared language of ship supply: the purchaser writes the code, the supplier reads the same item. This guide covers what the code does, how it moves through a requisition, and where orders still go wrong.
What an IMPA code is
IMPA, the International Marine Purchasing Association, publishes the Marine Stores Guide in print and digital formats. The guide gives each product a unique six-digit code tied to an individual description, so a purchaser and a supplier who have never spoken can still mean the same item.
The first two digits place the code in one of the guide's sections. The full six digits pin down the item within it.
How purchasers use IMPA codes
On board and in the office, the code goes straight into the purchasing system. Requisitions and electronic RFQs carry it line by line, so the supplier can find the exact item quickly. That speeds up quoting and cuts the back-and-forth over what was meant.
The same guide covers every department:
- Deck stores, such as paints and rigging
- Engine stores, such as pumps and valves
- Cabin stores, such as linen and galley utensils
Where orders still go wrong
The code identifies the item. It does not carry everything the vessel needs to know. Industry sources point to the same recurring mistakes:
- Assuming the code alone is enough for every item
- Leaving out critical details: dimensions, pressure rating, voltage, material or approval status
- Ordering from outdated catalogues or PDFs
- Assuming local availability without confirming it
- Overlooking customs or port-specific compliance
Each one can mean a delay or the wrong item at the gangway.
A checklist before the requisition goes out
- Code checked against the current edition of the guide, not an old PDF
- Specification added wherever the code covers a range: size, rating, voltage, material
- Approval or certification requirement stated where the item needs one
- Availability confirmed with the supplier for the port and the date
- Customs or port rules checked for the items on the list
IMPA codes improve accuracy, efficiency and consistency across suppliers, but the buyer still has to verify the specification and the supplier's capability for the specific vessel and port.
Send us an IMPA-coded requisition
Paste your requisition into our Requisition Reader. It reads the IMPA codes, sorts each line into a supply category and drafts the RFQ email for you. It runs in your browser, so the requisition is not uploaded anywhere. Browse the categories we supply: deck stores, engine stores, cabin stores and all supplies.
A2Z Ship Stores has supplied vessels since 2001.
FAQ
How many digits does an IMPA code have?
Six. Each six-digit code identifies one product matched to an individual description in the IMPA Marine Stores Guide.
Who publishes IMPA codes?
IMPA, the International Marine Purchasing Association, which publishes the Marine Stores Guide in print and digital formats.
Is an IMPA code enough on its own to order an item?
Not always. Add the specification the code does not carry, such as dimensions, pressure rating, voltage, material or approval status, and confirm availability for the port.
Can I send A2Z a requisition with IMPA codes?
Yes. Paste it into the Requisition Reader on our request-a-quote page and it drafts the RFQ email for you.
Sources: IMPA Marine Stores Guide; Technotrading.