Vision:
Eliminate the need to transport paper documents for air cargo shipments by moving to an industry-wide, simpler, electronic and paper-free environment.
Read the IATA e-freight vision and mandate - 2008
Industry benefits:
- Reduced costs: Increased use of EDI messages and improved data quality will reduce costs further by reducing the number of system rejected messages and the requirement to check, correct and re-enter shipment data.
- Improved customer service: Improved data quality and reduced reliance on paper documents will reduce transport and clearance times and will improve transit and delivery times.
- Security compliance: High quality electronic
data facilitates stakeholder compliance with
customs requirements, avoiding large penalties resulting from non-compliance.
- Alignment with other e-commerce initiatives: Global and regional initiatives are driving paperfree e-trading projects. IATA e-freight benefits from integration with these initiatives.
- Savings: Upon full implementation the initiative is projected to bring savings of US$1.2 billion per year.
Implementation:
IATA e-freight pilot projects on key trade routes between five countries, scheduled for 2007 implementation 100% e-freight by 2010, where viable.
IATA's action plan
- Add 8 locations to pilot e-freight to the 6 current locations
- Champion a Message Improvement Programme to increase penetration and data quality of EDI messages
- Facilitate the establishment of agreed standard industry principles for operating in an e-customs environment