Any person involved in international airfreight and complying with appropriate licence and legal requirements may apply for registration as an IATA Cargo Agent.
Registration is made in respect of operations within a country, and it is recommended that the forwarder also register its branch office locations where cargo is prepared ready for carriage. The numeric code assigned and the Cargo Agency Agreement covers the Agent’s activities throughout the country concerned. Registration may be extended to cover delivery of shipments to airlines at an airport(s) in an immediately adjacent country.
Required documentation for application
Applicant need to apply via a questionnaire form. Answers to the questionnaire, together with the supporting documents, are designed to determine the following applicant's details: Identification, ownership, facilities and trained staff, type of legal entity, financial standing, sales and promotions, etc.
Application form
Even though the general questionnaire applies worldwide, some differences may apply depending on regional criteria. The sample below will provide you the main questions you will need to answer. Please contact your regional office for the specific form applicable in your region or country.
Sample Cargo accreditation application form (pdf).
Processing of IATA cargo applications
Applications, with full supporting documentation and applicable fees, should be sent directly to the IATA office in your area.
Upon receipt of a complete application, investigators acting on behalf of IATA, will visit the operational installations indicated by the applicant in order to ascertain that all the criteria are met. Particular attention is paid to ensure that the premises, cargo handling equipment and staff meet the requirements in order to prepare air cargo ready for carriage on behalf of Member Airlines. At the same time, the financial standing of the applicant will be assessed, based on the certified accounts and other financial information provided.
Qualifications/criteria required of an IATA cargo agent
In addition to settling applicable fees and demonstrate that they meet certain minimum criteria in order to be registered as an IATA Cargo Agent, they must continue meeting those standards in order to be maintained on the official IATA Agency List. The general criteria include: Staff qualifications, financial requirements, suitability of premises and cargo handling equipment, appropriate license to trade, etc.
Approval
When satisfactory investigation and financial reports are received, details of the applicant are published to all Member Airlines. Provided the applicant meets all qualifications and has signed the IATA Agreement, approval is promptly be granted.
Successful applicants then receive an approval letter advising of the assigned IATA numeric code and effective date of approval. The Agent's duplicate copy of the Cargo Agency Agreement, counter-signed by IATA, and additional documentation regarding IATA and its Member Airlines is also sent, together with an IATA crest. New Cargo Agent also receive the latest edition of the IATA Cargo Agent's Handbook and Dangerous Goods Regulations.
Reassessment/changes
In order to ensure that all IATA registered Cargo Agents continue to meet the criteria, periodic reassessments and updates are conducted, e.g. in respect of Dangerous Goords Regulations training.
In addition, registered Agents changing their financial or legal structure, or name, ownership or premises, are required to notify IATA using a Notice of Change form. Certain changes may affect the accredited status of an Agent and may be subject to review procedures under the Cargo Agency Rules.