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UIIA
Definition
The UIIA (Uniform Intermodal Interchange and Facilities Access Agreement) is the standard contract that governs how intermodal equipment, such as containers and chassis, is interchanged between motor carriers and equipment providers.
In simple English
A single contract that trucking companies sign once so they can pick up and drop off containers and chassis owned by many different ocean lines, railroads and leasing companies. Without it, a trucker would need a separate contract with every equipment owner.
What it means
The Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) administers the UIIA and calls it "the only standard industry contract that governs the interchange of equipment" between intermodal motor carriers and equipment providers. A ten-member Intermodal Interchange Executive Committee of ocean, rail, motor carrier and leasing representatives oversees it. IANA reports more than 13,000 motor carrier and 58 equipment provider signatories.[1]
The agreement's stated purpose is to set each party's responsibilities when one party enters the other's premises to interchange intermodal equipment, and the terms under which that equipment is used. "Interchange" means the transfer of physical possession of equipment under the agreement. "Equipment" covers trailers, chassis, containers and associated devices, but not tractors.[2]
Federal safety rules recognize it too. In 49 CFR 390.5, an intermodal equipment interchange agreement is defined as the Uniform Intermodal Interchange and Facilities Access Agreement or any other written document between an equipment provider and a motor carrier whose main purpose is to set the responsibilities and liabilities of both parties for interchanged equipment.[6]
Why a drayage carrier must be a UIIA participant
IANA lists the main benefit for motor carriers plainly: the UIIA "eliminates signing separate interchange contracts with each UIIA equipment provider" and cuts the number of insurance certificates a carrier has to file.[4] A drayage company that hauls for several steamship lines, and pulls chassis from pools, would otherwise need a separate contract with each one.
To join, the agreement sets these prerequisites:[2]
- SCAC. An officially registered Standard Carrier Alpha Code issued by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association. Losing it is grounds for immediate cancellation.
- USDOT number. Plus an active MC operating authority number if one applies.
- Electronic communications. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Insurance policies on demand. Failing to furnish them to IANA when asked is a breach and grounds for immediate cancellation.
Joining does not create work by itself. IANA's FAQ says the UIIA does not set up work for motor carriers. After acceptance, the carrier contacts each equipment provider it wants to work with.[5]
UIIA insurance requirements
These are the baseline requirements as IANA states them on its insurance requirements page. Individual equipment providers can require more.[3]
| Coverage | What IANA requires |
|---|---|
| Commercial auto liability | $1 million combined single limit. Policy marked "Any Auto," "Scheduled and Hired" or "All Owned and Hired." "All Owned" or "Scheduled Only" is not acceptable. Equipment providers the carrier works with listed as additional insured. |
| Commercial general liability | $1 million per occurrence, of which no portion can be self-insured. |
| Interchange endorsement | Truckers Uniform Intermodal Interchange Endorsement (UIIE-1, CA23-17 or TE23-17B) on the auto policy, most current version. |
| Cargo | Required in some form by the majority of equipment providers. Limits and deductibles vary by provider. |
| Trailer interchange | Required in some form by most providers. Must cover comprehensive and collision, plus fire and theft. Limits vary by provider. |
| Workers compensation | Some providers require statutory limits, and some also require employer's liability. |
The insurance agent submits one online ACORD 22 certificate to IANA, with IANA as certificate holder. Separate certificates for each equipment provider are not needed.[3] Under the agreement, providers get insurance information from IANA and do not ask the carrier for more evidence.[2]
IANA's system expires a policy at 12:01 a.m. on its expiration date, so a renewal should take effect on that same date.[3] On cancellation notice, IANA's insurance page asks for 30 days, or 10 days for non-payment. The current agreement text (Section F.6.d, revised 09/01/25) says 14 calendar days for non-payment.[2] Check with IANA which figure applies to a given policy.
Equipment provider addenda
The UIIA is the same for everyone. What differs by provider sits in each provider's addendum. The agreement defines an addendum as the provider's "schedule of economic and commercial terms not appropriate for inclusion in the uniform Agreement" and other terms of equipment use. An addendum applies only where it does not conflict with the agreement.[2]
- What is in it. Free time and per diem charges are listed in each provider's addendum.[5] Cargo and trailer interchange limits also vary by provider.[3]
- Where to find it. Motor carriers can download copies of provider addenda from their UIIA account online.[5]
- When changes apply. A change to a provider's addendum takes effect 30 days from the date of the notice.[5]
- Billing. IANA's FAQ says the provider must invoice per diem within 60 days after the equipment is returned, or it loses the right to collect.[5]
At each pickup and return, the parties sign an Equipment Interchange Receipt (EIR), paper or electronic, that describes the equipment and any visible damage. Recorded images taken at interchange can serve the same purpose.[2]
Why it matters
If the trucking company's UIIA standing or insurance has lapsed for the line that owns the container, the driver can be turned away at the terminal, and the container keeps sitting while free time runs out. Before booking a pickup, ask the drayage carrier to confirm its UIIA standing with that specific ocean carrier and chassis provider. RapidShips runs a dock in East Brunswick, NJ and has no trucks, so on a delivery to us the UIIA standing that matters is the drayage carrier's.
How terminals use the UIIA at the gate
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey lists, among the things to have before arriving at the gate, "proof that your trucking company is registered with the Uniform Intermodal Interchange and Facilities Access Agreement (UIIA)" and proof of valid insurance and credit with the steamship lines you haul for. In the same guidebook, APM Terminals Elizabeth lists a "UIIA issue" among trucking company problems that trigger an automatic void-out ticket.[7]
Terminals learn a carrier's standing from the equipment providers. IANA sends interchange status to providers, who pass it to their facilities, and providers that subscribe to its Terminal Feed Service get it sent directly. IANA notes that delays can happen and that not every provider uses the feed.[5] Carriers can check their own standing with specific providers in the UIIA web portal before dispatching a driver.[4] The Port Newark drayage guide has a full section on why trucks get turned away at the gate and how to prevent it.
Example
Illustrative only: a new drayage company wants to pull import containers at Port Newark. It registers its SCAC, has its insurance agent file one ACORD 22 certificate with IANA showing $1 million auto and general liability and the UIIE-1 endorsement, and signs the UIIA. It then contacts the ocean lines and chassis pools it wants to work with, downloads their addenda to learn their free time, per diem and cargo limits, and checks its status in the UIIA portal before sending a driver to the gate.
Common confusions
- UIIA vs. operating authority. The UIIA is a private industry contract. It does not replace a USDOT number or MC authority; it requires them.[2]
- Signed up vs. set up. Acceptance into the UIIA does not mean a provider will interchange with you. The carrier still contacts each provider.[5]
- Same agreement, different terms. Two ocean lines can charge different per diem and require different cargo limits, because those terms live in each addendum, not in the UIIA.
- UIIA vs. UIIFA. The federal definition in 49 CFR 390.5 abbreviates the same agreement as "UIIFA."[6]
Related
Related terms
- Chassis SplitA chassis split is a drayage move where the chassis and the container are at different locations, so the...Glossary
- Delivery OrderA delivery order (D.O.) is a document issued by the consignee or its customs broker that authorizes the...Glossary
- ChassisA chassis is a wheeled trailer frame built to carry a shipping container over the road; the container is...Glossary
- DrayageDrayage is the short-distance truck move of ocean or rail freight, usually a container hauled on a chassis...Glossary
- Marine Terminal OperatorA marine terminal operator (MTO) is a company or public agency in the United States that provides wharfage...Glossary
- Street TurnA street turn is reusing an empty import container for an export load without first returning it to the...Glossary
- TWICA TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Credential) is the federal credential that workers, including...Glossary
Frequently asked questions
What does UIIA stand for?
What is UIIA in trucking?
What is UIIA insurance?
What is a UIIA endorsement?
What is UIIA certification?
What happens if a trucker's UIIA status has a problem at the terminal?
Sources
- Intermodal Association of North America, “Uniform Intermodal Interchange and Facilities Access Agreement (UIIA),” Industry association. Accessed September 2026.
- Intermodal Association of North America, “Uniform Intermodal Interchange and Facilities Access Agreement (effective May 5, 2026),” Industry agreement. Accessed October 14, 2026.
- Intermodal Association of North America, “UIIA Insurance Requirements,” Industry association. Accessed October 14, 2026.
- Intermodal Association of North America, “UIIA Motor Carriers,” Industry association. Accessed October 14, 2026.
- Intermodal Association of North America, “UIIA Frequently Asked Questions,” Industry association. Accessed October 14, 2026.
- Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School, “49 CFR § 390.5, Definitions (intermodal equipment),” Federal regulation. Accessed October 5, 2026.
- Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, “Port Truckers Resource Guidebook (revised August 2025),” Port authority guidance. Published August 2025. Accessed October 5, 2026.
General operational information, not legal, customs or regulatory advice. Rules and rates change; confirm current requirements with the agency, carrier or contract that governs your shipment.