What is the UIIA?

The UIIA — the Uniform Intermodal Interchange and Facilities Access Agreement — is the standardized contract that governs how a motor carrier interchanges equipment (containers and chassis) with ocean carriers, railroads, and equipment providers. Administered by the Intermodal Association of North America, it replaces what would otherwise be dozens of separate one-off agreements with a single, industry-wide set of terms.

A drayage carrier generally must be a UIIA participant — with the required insurance on file and in good standing — before a terminal or equipment provider will release a container or chassis to its drivers. It defines who is responsible for equipment while it is in the trucker's possession, how damage and per-diem disputes are handled, and the access rules at participating facilities.

UIIA membership is self-declared and managed through IIA, not something derivable from FMCSA records. When vetting a drayage carrier, confirm UIIA status directly rather than assuming it from a carrier's authority alone.