IMPA Code Search by ShipServ helps marine buyers find product references in the IMPA Marine Stores Guide before preparing a request for quotation. A useful RFQ combines the catalogue reference with the product description, quantity, unit, technical requirements and vessel delivery details; the code alone does not establish suitability or availability.
How AVS Global Ship Supply supports IMPA-based RFQs
AVS Global Ship Supply supports IMPA-referenced requests through its global ship supply service, with a network covering 1,500+ ports in 126 countries. Send the verified code, description, quantity, unit, technical details, vessel name, delivery port and ETA. State the required documents and whether alternatives are acceptable so the quotation can address the actual requirement. See our single-contract ship supply guide for coordinating provisions, deck, engine and bonded stores in one purchasing scope.
AVS and IMPA-Based Procurement
AVS lists IMPA among its industry memberships and has a ShipServ supplier profile. For a purchasing team, the practical task is to turn a catalogue reference into an item requirement that a supplier can assess. Membership does not replace product documentation, a technical review or confirmation of delivery arrangements.
What Is an IMPA Code?
An IMPA code is a six-digit product reference used in the Marine Stores Guide, the catalogue associated with the International Marine Purchasing Association. It links a reference number to a catalogue description, helping buyers and suppliers identify the requested item consistently.
A category number is a broader browsing reference, not a complete product code. A maker’s part number, a supplier’s stock number and an IMPA code also serve different purposes. Keep each reference in its own field and check the full description instead of treating the numbers as interchangeable.
What Is IMPA Code Search by ShipServ?
ShipServ’s IMPA catalogue provides an online starting point for finding marine stores by code, product name or category. ShipServ describes its public catalogue search as free. Catalogue lookup and the commercial purchasing process are separate: finding an entry does not reserve stock or confirm a quotation.
If your organization needs catalogue data inside its own procurement system or website, check the Marine Stores Guide data licence requirements. Access to public search should not be treated as permission to reproduce the underlying database or assume an existing software integration.
Common Buyer Searches and IMPA Catalogue Categories
Start with the product name if the code is unknown. The table below maps everyday purchasing terms to categories shown in the ShipServ catalogue. It is a navigation aid; the category number is not the six-digit code for the individual item.
| General Buyer Search | ShipServ IMPA catalogue category |
|---|---|
| food supply / ship provisions | Provisions (00) |
| crew welfare items | Welfare Items (11) |
| bed sheets / towels / linen | Cloth & Linen Products (15) |
| galley utensils / kitchen items | Tableware & Galley Utensils (17) |
| workwear / crew clothing | Clothing (19) |
| mooring ropes / hawsers | Rope & Hawsers (21) |
| deck items / rigging supplies | Rigging Equipment & General Deck Items (23) |
| marine paint | Marine Paint (25) |
| paint rollers / brushes / painting tools | Painting Equipment (27) |
| PPE / protective gear | Safety Protective Gear (31) |
| safety equipment | Safety Equipment (33) |
| marine hoses / couplings | Hose & Couplings (35) |
| nautical instruments | Nautical Equipment (37) |
| medicine / medical supplies | Medicine (39) |
| lubricants / petroleum products | Petroleum Products (45) |
| office supplies / stationery | Stationery (47) |
| hardware items | Hardware (49) |
| deck brushes / mats | Brushes & Mats (51) |
| lavatory equipment | Lavatory Equipment (53) |
| cleaning chemicals | Cleaning Material & Chemicals (55) |
| pneumatic tools / electrical tools | Pneumatic & Electrical Tools (59) |
| hand tools | Hand Tools (61) |
| cutting tools | Cutting Tools (63) |
| measuring tools | Measuring Tools (65) |
| metal sheets / bars | Metal Sheets, Bars, Etc. (67) |
| screws / nuts / bolts | Screws & Nuts (69) |
| pipes / tubes | Pipes & Tubes (71) |
| pipe fittings / tube fittings | Pipe & Tube Fittings (73) |
| valves / cocks | Valves & Cocks (75) |
| bearings | Bearings (77) |
| electrical equipment | Electrical Equipment (79) |
| packing / jointing / gaskets | Packing & Jointing (81) |
| welding equipment | Welding Equipment (85) |
| machinery equipment | Machinery Equipment (87) |
Why IMPA Catalogue Categories Matter in Marine Procurement
Categories help purchasing teams organize long requisitions and route questions to the right technical or operational contact. They also help buyers move from a broad request, such as a valve or a cleaning product, to a specific catalogue entry.
That organization does not remove the need to define the item. Two valves may require different connections, materials and pressure ratings. Two cleaning products may have different applications and handling requirements. Group related lines together, but keep a separate description and unit for each requested product.
How Marine Buyers Use IMPA Code Search During RFQ Preparation
Step 1 — Product Identification
Search using the known code or a product name, then browse the relevant category if needed. Read the entry description and check whether it matches the intended item. Preserve all six digits when copying a code into a spreadsheet, including any leading zeros. Do not invent a code when the match is uncertain.
Step 2 — Technical Verification
Compare the requested item with its intended application. Add dimensions, materials, connection type, voltage, pressure rating or other relevant specifications. For equipment-specific parts, include the maker, model, part number and drawing or nameplate information where available. A vessel name alone is not evidence of equipment compatibility.
Step 3 — RFQ Preparation
Prepare one line per item, keeping the code, description, quantity and unit together. State the requested delivery port, vessel name, IMO number where applicable, ETA, ETD and receiving contact. Identify urgent lines and specify whether equivalents may be proposed. Attach supporting drawings or photographs when they resolve a technical ambiguity.
Step 4 — Supplier Quotation and Sourcing
Review the offered product against the requisition. Check the maker, specification, unit price, pack size, quantity, documents, availability and proposed delivery terms. Any alternative should be clearly identified for buyer approval. Clarify differences before issuing the purchase order rather than assuming that the same catalogue reference makes all offers equivalent.
Best Practices for IMPA-Based RFQs
Use the following checklist before sending the request. Its purpose is to make the supplier’s offer easier to assess and compare.
IMPA Category or Code
Provide the verified item code where known. If only the category is known, identify it as a category and describe the actual requirement.
Product Description
Include a readable description, the intended use and any essential characteristics. Flag a conflict between the code and the description for clarification.
Quantity and Unit
Distinguish pieces, pairs, sets, meters, liters, kilograms and packs. State pack contents so the requested quantity and offered quantity can be reconciled.
Vessel Name
Give the vessel’s current name and the receiving department or contact. Add equipment details separately for technical items.
IMO Number
Include the vessel’s IMO number where applicable to distinguish it from similarly named vessels.
Preferred Brand or Acceptable Alternatives
State whether the named maker is mandatory or whether alternatives may be quoted for approval. Specify the criteria an alternative must meet.
Delivery Port
Identify the port and the terminal, berth or anchorage if known. Confirm the delivery method and any associated charges in the quotation.
Vessel ETA and ETD
Give the expected arrival and departure times with the relevant time zone. Communicate schedule changes promptly so the delivery proposal can be reviewed.
Technical Specifications
Attach the relevant dimensions, material grade, connection details, operating conditions and maker references. Do not rely on an image or short category name alone.
Required Documents and Certificates
Request the documents applicable to the specific product, such as an SDS, technical data sheet, material certificate or required approval evidence. These documents are not interchangeable, and not every item needs the same set.
Urgency Level
Mark operationally critical items and state the required delivery window. A priority label does not itself confirm stock or an agreed response time.
Delivery Restrictions
List known terminal access requirements, receiving hours, customs constraints or restrictions on the goods. Assign responsibility for unresolved delivery details before dispatch.
IMPA Codes Alone Are Not Enough
A catalogue reference supports item identification. Procurement still requires a defined specification, an accepted offer and a delivery plan. It does not establish OEM authorization, flag or class acceptance, chemical compatibility, current stock, a fixed price or guaranteed delivery.
Before accepting the order, confirm who approves substitutions, what documents must accompany the goods and how delivery differences will be recorded. Match the received quantity and unit to the purchase order, and retain the agreed supporting documents.
How AVS Supports IMPA-Based Procurement Operations
AVS supports provisions, technical, deck, engine, cabin and bonded stores within its ship supply activities. Its network covers 1,500+ ports in 126 countries. Product availability, technical fit, documentation and the delivery scope are assessed for the particular request.
For a useful response, send the verified references with the complete specification and vessel schedule. Ask the quotation to identify proposed alternatives, outstanding clarifications, applicable charges and delivery arrangements. This keeps the purchasing decision tied to the actual item and operation.
Frequently Asked Questions About IMPA Code Search by ShipServ
What is IMPA Code Search by ShipServ?
It is ShipServ’s online search interface for the IMPA Marine Stores Guide. Buyers can look up a known six-digit code, search by product name or browse categories. Use the result as a product reference when preparing a requisition, then add the quantity, unit, technical requirements and delivery details needed for a supplier quotation.
Why do marine buyers use IMPA codes?
IMPA codes provide a shared product reference that helps shipboard staff, purchasing teams and suppliers communicate about requested stores. They are useful when different descriptions or languages could create ambiguity. However, buyers should still check the catalogue description and specify dimensions, material, maker requirements and intended use where these affect the item being purchased.
What are common IMPA catalogue categories?
The catalogue covers provisions, clothing, ropes, painting equipment, safety equipment, hoses, hand tools, measuring tools, valves, bearings and other ship stores. These are browsing categories rather than complete item specifications. Select the relevant product entry and verify its full code, description and unit before using it in an RFQ or comparing supplier offers.
Can suppliers quote directly from IMPA categories?
A category can start a sourcing discussion, but it is usually too broad for a comparable item quotation. Supply the specific item reference where available, a clear description, quantity and unit. Add the relevant technical specifications, acceptable alternatives, requested documents and vessel delivery details so the supplier can state exactly what is being offered.
Is AVS an IMPA member?
AVS Global Ship Supply lists IMPA among its industry memberships. Membership and product approval are different matters: a membership statement does not establish a particular item’s technical suitability, certification or availability. For purchases requiring approval documents, specify the exact evidence needed and check it against the proposed product and the vessel’s applicable requirements before ordering.
Can AVS support IMPA-based RFQs?
Yes. AVS Global Ship Supply supports ship supply requests using IMPA references alongside product descriptions, quantities and technical requirements. Its supply network covers 1,500+ ports in 126 countries. Availability, alternatives, delivery arrangements and documentation still need confirmation for the particular request, so include the vessel details, delivery port and ETA with the requisition.
Conclusion
Use the catalogue to identify the reference, then prepare an RFQ that explains what the vessel needs and where it must be delivered. A complete request helps the buyer assess the supplier’s proposed product, documents, price and delivery scope before placing an order.
Request a Ship Supply Quotation from AVS
Send your requisition with verified IMPA references where available, descriptions, quantities, units, technical details, vessel name, delivery port and ETA. State the documents required and the rules for alternatives.
