The papers include Minute Books (1885-1990), Annual Reports (1964-1972), Letterbooks (1952-1994), Visits of Conference Delegates (1967-1986) and Freight Tariffs (1915-1985) from various Conferences held between 1885 and 1994.

Administrative / biographical background
The India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Ceylon Conferences (IPBCC) were the oldest of the conferences involved in the mangement and development of trade in the Far East. They had an international scope and strong links with several shipping companies. Membership of the Conferences was made up of associations of owners of both 'short sea' and 'deep sea' freight lines. These owners acted together to set common prices for the carriage of goods over designated routes, forming policies over discounts and rate rebates with the 'tied-in' companies, with tariffs to combat competition from non-members. They also had the power to admit or exclude shore trade.