What is an IMPA code, how does the system work, and how do you search one? A step-by-step guide to the IMPA marine coding system — the common language of ship supply.
If you have ever worked with a ship chandler, you have almost certainly come across an IMPA code. That 6-digit number printed next to a valve, a gasket or a lifejacket is, in fact, a common language that lets thousands of suppliers and shipowners worldwide refer to the exact same item without confusion. This guide answers the key questions: what is an IMPA code, how the system works, and how to search an IMPA code.
An IMPA code is a 6-digit coding system developed by the International Marine Purchasing Association to identify marine store items in a standardised way. Founded in 1978, IMPA publishes the Marine Stores Guide (MSG), which lists more than 50,000 marine products, each with a unique code.
The purpose is simple: a Turkish supplier, a Greek shipowner and a Chinese manufacturer can all describe the same product with a single code — no language barrier, no wrong deliveries. This is why the IMPA code is considered the common language of ship supply.
An IMPA code has 6 digits, usually written in two or three groups (for example 17 27 01 or 172701). The code follows a hierarchical logic:
05 Safety Equipment, 17 Paints & Chemicals, 79 Electrical Equipment.The IMPA catalogue is divided into more than 70 sections, covering everything a vessel needs — from deck equipment and engine-room spares to provisions and cleaning materials.
If you have an IMPA code and want to find the matching product — or the other way round — you can use the e-ShipSupply IMPA code catalogue. It lets you search more than 50,000 IMPA items and, uniquely in the industry, also in Turkish.
590135) or the product name in the search box.There are two major coding systems in ship supply: IMPA and ISSA (International Ship Suppliers & Services Association). Both code marine stores but use different structures. IMPA, built from the buyer's perspective, is the most widely used worldwide; e-ShipSupply's catalogue is based on IMPA codes.
An IMPA code is the fastest route to the right supplier. When you search an IMPA-coded item on e-ShipSupply, you can see supplier listings that stock or can supply it, and request a quote directly — completing the code → product → supplier chain on one platform.
A standard IMPA code has 6 digits, usually written in two or three groups (e.g. 17 27 01). The first two digits indicate the main section.
Yes. The e-ShipSupply IMPA catalogue provides over 50,000 items in Turkish as well as English.
No. IMPA and ISSA are different systems from different organisations. The same product may have different codes in each; IMPA is more common in international supply.
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