Overview
ISO 10087:2022 specifies a standardized coding system for permanent identification of small craft (hull length up to 24 m). The standard defines the structure, marking requirements and placement of a craft identification number to ensure unambiguous traceability of vessels from manufacture through marketing and service.
Key facts:
- The craft identification number is a 14-character sequence plus a hyphen (no spaces).
- Country codes use the Alpha-2 entries from ISO 3166-1:2020.
- The system covers: country of manufacturer, manufacturer identification, unique serial, month and year of manufacture and the model year.
Example (from the standard): NL-HXAB7A33G506
Key Topics
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Composition: The number comprises 14 consecutive characters and a hyphen. The first two characters (Alpha-2) identify the country where the manufacturer is established. The next three characters are the manufacturer identification code. The following five characters are the unique serial number. The final four characters encode month and year of manufacture and the model year.
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Character rules: Only uppercase Latin letters are used. Manufacturer codes may use letters/numerals except digits 0 and 1. Serial numbers may use letters/numerals but exclude I, O and Q. The display reads left to right.
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Month coding: Months are encoded A–L for January–December (A = January, B = February, …, L = December). The year of manufacture is identified by the last numeral of the production year; the model year is a separate indicator determined by the manufacturer.
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Marking requirements: Characters shall be at least 6 mm high and permanently affixed (carved, stamped, moulded, etc.) so alteration or removal is evident. When placed on a plate, the plate must be fixed to reveal tampering if removed.
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Location & duplicates: The primary marking is visible on the starboard outboard side of the transom or near the stern within 50 mm of the transom top, gunwale or hull/deck joint. A duplicate identification should be fixed in a non-removable interior location known only to the manufacturer.
Applications
- Vessel registration and commerce: enables consistent identification for registrations, import/export and sales documentation.
- Traceability and recall management: links each craft to manufacturer, production month and model year for quality control and safety actions.
- Theft prevention and recovery: permanent, standardized marking supports law enforcement and insurance claims.
- Manufacturer record-keeping and warranty tracking: simplifies tracking of serials and production data.
Related Standards
- ISO 3166-1:2020 - Codes for the representation of names of countries (Alpha-2 codes used in ISO 10087).
- ISO 8666:2020 - Small craft - Principal data (referenced source for definitions).
For implementation, consult the full ISO 10087:2022 text and coordinate with national authorities or recognized organizations when assigning manufacturer identification codes.
