Lecture # 03

IATA Standardization process

IATA Standardization in air cargo means following a set of rules and guidelines established by
the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to make sure that everything related to
shipping goods by air runs smoothly and safely. These rules cover things like how cargo is
packaged, how documents are handled, and how security is managed. By sticking to these
standards, everyone involved in air cargo—like airlines, shipping companies, and airports—can
work together more effectively and make sure that goods get where they need to go without
any problems.

Industry standards make things easier and cheaper by simplifying common tasks. They
help airlines work smoothly with other players like airports, ground service providers,
and governments.

Having standards also encourages new ideas and makes the air travel experience better
for everyone. But, in some areas like ground handling, there's still room for
improvement.

Ground operations often have lots of different ways of doing things. Each airline has its
own methods, which can be a headache for ground service providers and make it hard
for airlines to expand to new places.

IATA Manuals offer standard processes, procedures, and training that everyone in the air
travel industry can use. This means companies have a solid starting point for operations,
no matter where they are in the world. It boosts safety for everyone involved, which is
the most important goal.

Benefits of standardization
When everyone in the aviation industry follows the same rules everywhere, it makes flying safer.
This means that the way things are done is the same no matter where you are in the world. It cuts
down on doing the same checks over and over, which saves time and makes things smoother. By
having the right steps and rules that are the same everywhere, it helps everyone involved in
aviation do their job better and keeps things running safely and efficiently.

It would allow all industry players to:

  Simplify the complexity of shipping, handling and transportation operations

 Reduce training costs and

 Decrease overall incidents.

Cargo Operations Manuals

The Cargo Operations manuals are the source for regulations, standards and best
practices in the air cargo industry, guaranteeing that data is accurate, enabling better
decisions and more efficient operations.

 IATA Cargo Handling Manual (ICHM)

 ULD Regulations (ULDR)

 Cargo-XML Manual & Toolkit (CXML)

 Standard Procedures for Preloading Advance Cargo Information (PLACI) Manual

 Cargo Claims & Loss Prevention Handbook (CCLPH)

 Cargo Agency Conference Resolution Manual (CACRM)

 Cargo Services Conference Resolution Manual (CSCRM)

IATA XML standards

The IATA Cargo-XML messaging is becoming the popular choice for airlines and others
in air cargo to talk electronically between shippers, freight forwarders, and regulators—
to talk electronically. It's a new standard that's good for all types of cargo and for
sending messages across different borders and modes of transport. This standard makes
communication smoother and more reliable for everyone involved in air cargo, including
customs and security agencies.

Advance Cargo Information (ACI)

ACI stands for Advance Cargo Information, which includes electronic details provided
before loading and before arrival, following the guidelines of the World Customs
Organization's SAFE Framework of Standards. This information needs to be given to
Customs using specific data formats outlined in the WCO Data Model.

Benefits of ACI

Advance Cargo Information helps reduce security risks before loading or arrival of cargo. It
allows categorizing shipments as high or low risk, directing more resources to high-risk
shipments needing extra attention while ensuring smooth handling of low-risk ones. This helps
make better decisions about intercepting goods, leading to safer and more efficient supply
chains. Ultimately, it boosts trade and economic growth over time.

Consignment Security Declaration (CSD)

The Consignment Security Declaration (CSD) helps regulators keep track of how, when, and by
whom cargo has been secured throughout its journey in the supply chain. Its main goal is to meet
the requirements set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), making sure that
every shipment received by an airline or a regulated agent is accompanied by proper
documentation. To prevent confusion caused by various types of security declarations, IATA
worked with the industry and regulators to create a standard CSD.

Electronic CSD (e-CSD)

The e-CSD enables operators to share and store security information electronically, ensuring that
only safe cargo is transported. Regulators can review this digital document at any stage of the
supply chain, and it can be printed from electronic records if needed.

Preloading Advance Cargo Information (PLACI)

The PLACI Guidelines offer a single, complete manual with consistent procedures for
submitting advance cargo information. The Preloading Advance Cargo Information
(PLACI) Manual lays out instructions for giving customs authorities details about cargo
before it's loaded onto a ship. This data helps assess risks and ensure security