The IMPA Marine Stores Guide (MSG) is not officially available as a free Excel download; instead, the International Marine Purchasing Association (IMPA) requires a paid Data Licence to access the digital catalog in Excel/CSV format. This license is specifically designed for integration into ship management and procurement software. Official Access & Licensing
Excel/CSV Data Licence: Provides the full digital catalog for input into procurement systems. Licenses are tiered for Ship Owners/Managers and Ship Suppliers.
Regular Updates: The digital version is updated every six months to ensure the latest 50,000+ products and codes are included.
Latest Edition: The current industry standard is the IMPA Marine Store Guide, 8th Edition (released late 2023/2024). Free Alternative Resources
While a full Excel download of the latest edition requires a purchase, you can use these free resources for quick searches: impa catalogue excel free download
IMPA Code Search by ShipServ: A free online search tool that allows you to look up over 50,000 individual IMPA codes without downloading a file.
Reference PDF Guides: Some maritime community sites host older versions (e.g., 6th or 7th edition) in PDF format for reference, though these may not contain the most current codes.
Supplier Specific Lists: Companies like Technotrading often provide helpful articles explaining how to use the codes for ordering. Why Standardized Excel Data Matters IMPA Code Search by ShipServ
The IMPA Marine Stores Guide (MSG) is the maritime industry's standard for identifying and ordering ship supplies using a universal six-digit coding system. While many users search for a "free excel download" of the full catalogue, it is important to note that the complete, official data is a proprietary product protected by copyright. Accessing the IMPA Catalogue in Excel The IMPA Marine Stores Guide (MSG) is not
The official way to obtain the catalogue in an Excel-compatible format is through a Data Licence from the Marine Stores Guide website.
Format: Data is provided in Excel/CSV format, allowing for easy integration into procurement software and ERP systems.
Versions: Licences are tailored for different users, including Ship Owners/Managers, Ship Suppliers, and Publishers (for those listing codes on websites).
Updates: Active licence holders receive regular updates at no extra cost to stay current with the latest additions. Free Search and Preview Alternatives an abridged version)
If you do not require a full bulk download, several resources allow you to search or view portions of the catalogue for free: instructions for searching impa items in excel sheet format
Most procurement software accepts CSV/Excel imports. Having the IMPA master data in Excel allows you to upload the code list into your own database, creating a seamless requisition-to-delivery workflow.
Assuming you have found a legitimate source (e.g., an abridged version), follow these steps:
Software like MarTrust, ShipGrid, or MarineCFO offers free trials. During the trial, you can export their internal IMPA reference table as Excel. The trial is time-limited, but the exported file remains.
When a requisitioner selects an IMPA code, a VLOOKUP formula can automatically pull the product description and unit of measure from your master catalogue sheet.