Beijing - The International Air Transport Association (IATA) today announced the dawn of a new era for the air cargo supply chain in China. IATA e-freight is now operational in China, with Tianjin Binhai International Airport being China’s first airport to implement the international e-freight standard. And China Cargo Airlines is the first Chinese carrier to accept an international shipment using the e-freight standard

IATA e-freight is one of the Simplifying the Business projects that improves service and cut costs. It aims to take the paper out of the air cargo supply chain. Facilitated by IATA, the project is an industry-wide initiative involving carriers, freight forwarders, ground handlers, shippers and customs authorities. IATA e-freight effectively eliminates the need to send 12 core paper documents with air cargo shipments, hence streamlining processes, improving speed and reliability and cutting costs.

The e-freight implementation team at Tianjin is truly an industry effort, with members representing the whole supply chain. International and local forwarders involved are Sinotrans, Dimerco, Kerry Logistics, Cosco, DGF, Expeditors, while the airlines involved are China Cargo Airlines, Air China, Grandstar, EVA and Great Wall. The team started work in June 2009 and delivered IATA e-freight on schedule. China is the 26th e-freight location worldwide to deliver paper-free cargo.

With e-freight implemented in China, there will be time savings for the transportation and availability of goods by up to 24 hours due to the electronic clearance and paper free process. E-freight will also bring similar benefits to other airports in China. IATA aims to build on the success at Tianjin Airport and implements e-freight in more airports in China, enhancing the competitiveness of China.

In addition to the international e-freight program, there are also plans to implement domestic e-freight at six different locations in China in June 2010. China’s eight major domestic carriers are participating in the domestic e-freight program.

IATA’s target is to implement e-freight in 44 countries by the end of 2010, representing more than 80% of global air-freight volumes. These countries need to have the appropriate international treaties and customs framework in place to implement e-freight.

IATA e-freight is also operational in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Dubai, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mauritius, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and United States.

Notes to editors

The China e-freight implementation team at Tianjin comprises of the following participants

  • Airlines
    • China Cargo Airlines
    • Air China
    • Grandstar
    • EVA
    • Great Wall
  • Government Agencies
    • Tianjin Customs District
    • Tianjin Entry- Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau
  • Forwarders
    • Dimerco
    • Kerry Logistics
    • Cosco
    • Sinotrans
    • Expeditors
  • Ground Handler/Warehouse Operators
    • Tianjin Aviation Cargo Service co.,ltd.
  • System Providers
    • Tianjin Electron Port Development co.ltd
    • Travelsky

For more information, please contact:

Albert Tjoeng
Assistant Director
Corporate Communications
Asia Pacific
Tel : +65 64992286
Mobile: +65 91723767
Email: tjoenga@iata.org