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Cargo Accreditation - General Qualifications and Criteria
Below are general criteria for accreditation. Please approach the nearest IATA office for country or regional specific standards.
Staff qualifications
At all places where cargo is prepared for carriage applicants must employ full-time competent and qualified staff. Training certificates must be submitted showing that:
- Persons hold a basic or introductory qualification in air cargo
(IATA Cargo Introductory Training Course, or an IATA member airline's introductory/basic training course, or acceptable equivalent)
and
- 2 persons have recently completed a Dangerous Goods Training course (of an IATA member airline, or IATA/FIATA, or an accepted equivalent course, within the previous two years).
Suitability of premises and cargo handling equipment
Suitable premises are to be maintained and operated for the promotion or sale of international air cargo transportation over the lines of members and for the handling of consignments. Applicants should have warehouse facilities which comply with national security standards and which are equipped to prepare air freight ready for carriage, or have access to such facilities with a written agreement.
Applicants' premises, staff and equipment should be capable of performing the following functions as a minimum:
- Quoting member airlines' rates, charges and related conditions
- Assisting customers regarding the formalities for transportation of cargo by air, including reservation services
- General acceptance of all consignments for carriage and delivery to a member airline at an airport ready for carriage, including restricted articles in accordance with the applicable Dangerous Goods regulations
- Collecting charges from customers, and remitting monies due to carriers.
Licence to trade and other requirements
Where required, an applicant must have a valid licence to trade and comply with any other national legal requirements in the country of operation. The applicant's insurance must cover its liability for loss of or damage to shippers' cargo.
An applicant may not be approved if a director or shareholder or person of general management has been found guilty of business violations or is an undischarged bankrupt. Nor if any person has held a similar position with an agent in default, or with outstanding debts to member airlines.