News Brief: IATA Launches Cargo-XML Manual and Toolkit Offering Next-Generation Air Cargo Electronic Messaging Standards

Montreal – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released its second edition of the Cargo-XML Manual and Toolkit, providing Cargo-XML standards for the electronic exchange of information that replace traditional Cargo-IMP for the air cargo industry. The toolkit provides electronic message standards that ensure uniformity, clarity, accuracy and economy in electronic data exchanges.

“As a replacement to legacy standards, Cargo-XML will revolutionize air cargo electronic messaging, bringing sustained benefits to the air cargo industry over time,” said Des Vertannes, IATA’s Global Head of Cargo. The new Cargo-XML standards are multimodal and cross-border and are based on UN/CEFACT standards and referencing the World Customs Organization (WCO) Data Model elements.

Benefits of Cargo-XML-based standards include:

  • Facilitating implementation of the e-Air Waybill (e-AWB), e-Freight, Electronic Cargo Security Declaration (e-CSD) and Advance Electronic Information (AEI)
  • Providing business rules that improve efficiency and compliance with regulations
  • Improving data quality and response times to changing requirements
  • Promoting the use of a common, universally accepted standard in the supply chain
  • Compatibility with the standards of other industry bodies, such as the WCO
  • Greater participation of small and medium-sized enterprises throughout the logistics chain owing to significantly reduced costs of developing, maintaining and using electronic communications

Software and industry service providers that have licensed Cargo-XML from IATA with the intention of developing Cargo-XML messaging solutions include Kewill, New Age Software Solution, Hans Infomatic, GLS HK, Mercator, Parse2, and Hexaware Technologies. Other system providers are expected to license the Cargo-XML standard at the 8th World Cargo Symposium that will be held in Los Angeles, California on 11-13 March 2014.

For more information, please contact:
Corporate Communications
Tel: +41 22 770 2967
Email: corpcomms@iata.org

Notes for Editors:

  • IATA (International Air Transport Association) represents some 240 airlines comprising 84% of global air traffic.
  • You can follow us at http://twitter.com/iata2press for news specially catered for the media.
  • The 8th World Cargo Symposium will be held in Los Angeles 11-13 March. Registration for the event is free to media, who are welcome to attend and report on all sessions.
  • For more information on the WCS and to register, go to www.iata.org/events/wcs