Routing an IPI booking from port to ramp
The shipper books with the ocean carrier all the way to the inland point, a service sometimes called interior point intermodal. The carrier quotes a through rate, discharges the container at the coast and hands it to the railroad it contracts with, such as BNSF or Union Pacific from West Coast ports. Because the rail leg is the carrier's job, the consignee usually arranges only the final dray from the ramp, unless the booking includes door delivery. Free time and the empty return location follow the carrier's terms for that move.
IPI, RIPI and mini land bridge
These routing labels sound alike but describe different paths through North America. They matter most when comparing quotes, because a cheaper rate on one routing can mean a longer rail leg or a different port of discharge. Carrier tariffs do not always use the labels the same way, so read the routing on the booking confirmation instead of relying on the abbreviation alone.
- IPI: a coastal port, then rail to an inland point
- RIPI: Asia cargo via an East or Gulf Coast port, then rail inland
- Mini land bridge: ocean to one coast, rail to a port on the other
Customs and ETA questions on IPI
Two details trip teams up. First, customs: many IPI containers travel inland under an in-bond, often an immediate transportation entry, and are entered at the destination, while others clear at the coast. Second, dates: a carrier ETA may refer to the vessel at the port, rail arrival, or availability at the ramp. CargoScope shows the latest carrier ETA, so check which event that date belongs to before promising a delivery.
Example
A shipment booked from Shanghai to Chicago on IPI terms is discharged at Los Angeles and railed to a Chicago ramp, where the consignee's trucker collects ONEU9051279.
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Questions
What does Inland Point Intermodal (IPI) mean?
Inland Point Intermodal (IPI) is an ocean carrier service that moves a container through a seaport to an inland rail ramp on one Bill of Lading, with the carrier arranging the rail leg. The inland ramp usually appears as the place of delivery.
Who pays for the rail leg on an IPI shipment?
The rail leg is usually part of the ocean carrier's through rate or billed by the carrier as an inland charge, so the cargo owner pays the carrier rather than the railroad. The dray from the inland ramp to the warehouse is usually a separate cost.
Can I track the rail part of an IPI move?
Often you can, since many carriers report rail departure and rail arrival for IPI containers, though detail and timing vary and the railroad's own systems may show more.