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Frequently Asked Questions
Motor Carriers
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UIIA representative for help!
NEW MOTOR CARRIER PARTICIPANTS:
- 1. What does the UIIA stand for?
- 2. How do I apply for participation in the UIIA?
- 3. What is the cost of participation in the UIIA and what do these fees cover?
- 4. How do I know if my company is an IANA member?
- 5. What methods of payment are accepted?
- 6. What is the billing cycle for the renewal of my participation in the UIIA?
- 7. What is a SCAC Code and who assigns this code?
- 8. What is the STCC Code on the Form 2? Are the MC Number, DOT Number and Federal ID Numbers required?
- 9. Once I become a participant in the UIIA, what do I need to do to set up work with the various Equipment Providers? Does the UIIA office do this for my company?
- 10. How long does the application process take?
EXISTING MOTOR CARRIER PARTICIPANTS:
- 11. What are the benefits of being a participant in the UIIA?
- 12. If my company is an active participant in the UIIA will I be able to do business with any UIIA Equipment Provider?
- 13. How are UIIA Equipment Providers advised that my company is approved?
- 14. If my company is updated for all Equipment Providers, why do my drivers still get stopped at the various terminals and facilities?
- 15. How can I access my account on-line?
- 16. What if I forget my password or want to change the password?
- 17. What insurance is required under the UIIA? Does my insurance agent need to issue a certificate for each Equipment Provider I want to do business with?
- 18. How can I obtain copies of Equipment Provider addenda?
- 19. When checking my account on the Web Validator there are a lot of abbreviations? What do these abbreviations mean?
- 20. If my company is changing their name, what do I need to do?
Q-1: What does the UIIA stand for?
A-1: The UIIA stands for the Uniform Intermodal Interchange and Facilities Access Agreement and it is a program administered by the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA).
Q-2: How do I apply for participation in the UIIA?
A-2: You can click here to download a copy of the motor carrier application packet for participation in the UIIA. The packet includes a "Motor Carrier Quick Reference" that outlines the items your company and your insurance agent need to provide our office in order to participate in the program.
Q-3: What is the cost of participation in the UIIA and what do these fees cover?
A-3: There is an annual administrative service fee of $275.00 to participate in the UIIA. If your company is also an IANA member and wishes to participate in the UIIA program the annual administrative fee will be discounted to $235.00 a year.
The annual service fee covers the costs associated with the administration of the program.
Q-4: How do I know if my company is an IANA member?
A-4: If your company is not sure if it is an IANA member, please click here to view a list of the current IANA Motor Carrier Division Members. Information on how to become an IANA member is available by visiting the IANA website. Click here to find out the Benefits of IANA Membership.
Q-5: What methods of payment are accepted?
A-5: We accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express for credit card payments. If your company prefers to pay by check, we will accept a faxed copy of the check in order to expedite your application. Once your company is accepted in the UIIA, we must receive the original check within seven (7) days or your company’s participation will be cancelled. All Canadian checks must be in US Funds and drawn on a U.S. Bank.
Q-6: What is the billing cycle for the renewal of my participation in the UIIA?
A-6: The billing cycle is twelve (12) months and on an anniversary basis. Companies are invoiced thirty (30) days in advance of their billing cycle. For example, if a company is accepted in the UIIA in January 2007, the next invoice date will be December 2007.
Q-7: What is a SCAC Code and who assigns this code?
A-7: SCAC stands for Standard Carrier Alpha Code. This is a four letter code that is assigned by National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) and is utilized to identify your company in both the UIIA and Equipment Providers (ocean carriers/railroads/leasing companies) databases.
You can use Form 4 of the UIIA Application packet to apply for a SCAC Code through the National Motor Freight Traffic Association or you can apply for the code on-line at http://secure.nmfta.org/New/Introduction.aspx
Q-8: What is the STCC Code on the Form 2? Are the MC Number, DOT Number and Federal ID Numbers required?
A-8: The STCC Code stands for Standard Transportation Commodity Code. This code is not required and can be left blank. The MC Number, US DOT Number should be provided if applicable, and the Federal Identification Number (FID) is mandatory.
Q-9: Once I become a participant in the UIIA, what do I need to do to set up work with the various Equipment Providers? Does the UIIA office do this for my company?
A-9: The UIIA sets up the interchange contract for your company to do business with participating UIIA Equipment Providers. However we DO NOT SET UP WORK for motor carrier participants.
Once a company is accepted in the UIIA, they need to contact individual Equipment Providers with whom they wish to do business directly to set up work. Make sure the Equipment Provider is aware that your company is a new participant in the UIIA.
The UIIA office provides each participating Equipment Provider with motor carrier interchange status information. Each Equipment Provider has access to this interchange status data so they can confirm whether your company has a valid interchange in place for them.
For your convenience, a list of the corporate contacts for each Equipment Provider Participant on the UIIA website or you can Click here to obtain a copy of the EP Contact List.
You may also want to try contacting Intermodal Marketing Companies that broker loads for some Equipment Providers. Click here to access a list of Intermodal Marketing Companies that are IANA members.
Q-10: How long does the application process take?
A-10: The timeframe for completion of the application process varies depending on how quickly we receive the necessary information. Once we receive the necessary information from both your company and your insurance agent, we can enter your company into our system immediately. Motor Carriers are encouraged to provide the Instructions to Insurance Agents section of the application packet to their agent.
Q-11: What are the benefits of being a participant in the UIIA?
A-11: Here are some of the ways the Uniform Intermodal Interchange and Facilities Access Agreement (UIIA) benefits Motor Carriers participants:
- 1. Eliminates signing separate interchange contracts with individual Equipment Providers.
- 2. The UIIA is the only industry standard interchange contract that is utilized by 95% of the top 100 ocean carriers and all major railroads.
- 3. Reduces the number of insurance certificates that must be filed. One certificate of insurance is provided to the UIIA that includes all insurance required for the Equipment Providers with whom you company wishes to do business.
- 4. Access to account information 24/7 via the Internet, through the UIIA Web Validator. Automated Voice Response system provides an alternative method for obtaining account status information.
- 5. Automatic seven day insurance reminders are provided advising Motor Carriers of upcoming renewals and assist in maintaining up to date insurance.
Q-12: If my company is an active participant in the UIIA will I be able to do business with any UIIA Equipment Provider?
A-12: In order to be approved for any UIIA Equipment Provider, the Motor Carrier must meet the insurance requirements of the specific Equipment Provider. Motor Carriers meeting the basic requirements of the UIIA are not automatically approved for every participating Equipment Provider. The Equipment Provider Requirements will provide you with the individual insurance requirement for each Equipment Provider.
Q-13: How are UIIA Equipment Providers advised that my company is approved?
A-13: Motor Carrier status information is provided to UIIA Equipment Providers electronically via EDI (electronic data interchange) or via the Internet (UIIA Web Validator). Each Equipment Provider makes the determination of how they will receive UIIA Motor Carrier interchange status data.
Q-14: If my company is updated for all Equipment Providers, why do my drivers still get stopped at the various terminals and facilities?
A-14: Motor Carrier interchange status information is provided directly to the participating Equipment Providers under the UIIA. It is then up to the Equipment Provider to update the various facilities they utilize with this information.
Motor Carriers often experience delays with this process, so IANA developed the Terminal Feed Service. Under the Terminal Feed Service, UIIA Equipment Providers can have Motor Carrier status information sent directly to the facilities they utilize, expediting this process.
Unfortunately not all Equipment Providers take advantage of this value- added UIIA service. We continue to work to encourage those Equipment Providers not subscribing to the Terminal Feed Service to do so.
Q-15: How can I access my account on-line?
A-15: All UIIA Motor Carrier participants are provided with a password when they are initially approved for UIIA participation. This password, along with their company's Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC Code), provides access to their UIIA account information via the Web Validator at www.uiia.org//other_files/webval_mc.shtml.
Q-16: What if I forget my password or want to change the password?
A-16: If company personnel forget their password, the company's UIIA contact on file may request this information by sending an e-mail to uiia@intermodal.org. Password information will only be provided to the UIIA contact on file.
Motor Carriers can change their UIIA Web Validator password on-line. Simply go to www.uiia.org//other_files/webval_mc.shtml and log in with your SCAC Code and old password. Click on “Update Contact Information.” Scroll to the bottom of the screen and enter the old password and the desired new password and then press “Save Changes.”
Q-17: What insurance is required under the UIIA? Does my insurance agent need to issue a certificate for each Equipment Provider I want to do business with?
A-17: Click here for UIIA Insurance Requirements.
Insurance agents need to provide one certificate of insurance showing the UIIA as the certificate holder. The certificate should include all required insurance policies along with the applicable endorsements. In addition, the certificate must name the Equipment Providers, not the UIIA, as additional insurance on the appropriate policies.
For your agent’s convenience in naming the Equipment Providers additional insured, they can use the Equipment Provider Checklist . Download the Insurance Instruction Packet for complete detailed instructions.
Q-18: How can I obtain copies of Equipment Provider addenda?
A-18: All Motor Carrier participants are provided with copies of all Equipment Providers addenda when they initially begin participation in the UIIA, via e-mail. In addition, Motor Carriers can download copies of Equipment Providers addenda under the UIIA Web Validator.
Login at www.uiia.org/other_files/webval_mc.shtml and click on “View EP Addendum." A list of Equipment Providers with each version of their addenda will be available. If an EP’s addendum is not available for download, Motor Carriers can contact our office and we will be happy to provide them with the information.
Q-19: When checking my account on the Web Validator there are a lot of abbreviations? What do these abbreviations mean?
A-19: Click here for a Description of Abbreviations for Web Validator.
Q-20: If my company is changing their name, what do I need to do?
A-20: To change the company name that your UIIA participation is shown under will require that you complete and provide the following information:
- 1. Complete a new signature page to the UIIA. (Form 2 starting on Page 3 of the Motor Carrier UIIA participation packet) .
- 2. Make sure that you contact National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) to get your SCAC Code changed to reflect the new company name. You can reach NMFTA at (703)838-1831. Click here to download a SCAC Code Application.
- 3. If your company currently is approved to do business with Equipment Providers that require additional paperwork (ie. addenda, credit applications), you will be required to complete these documents again under the new company name.
- 4. Your insurance agent will need to provide a new Certificate of Insurance along with the applicable endorsements reflecting the new company name.
Please note that the name change will not be completed and reflected in the UIIA system until ALL necessary information is provided to our office.
