As a cargo professional, you’ve no doubt developed your own way of doing things. The trouble is, no item is shipped by just one person or even one company. When everyone in the transport chain – ground handlers, freight forwarders and airlines – works from the same guidelines, damage, delays, refusals and fines are significantly reduced.
The ICHM covers the entire shipping process door-to-door and describes the operating procedures standard in every stage of the transport chain in plain language. Why re-invent the wheel?
Order the ICHM online
You can get the ICHM in print or digital formats. Users new to cargo shipping like the digital version because it’s much easier to search for the information you need. Digital is also cheaper.
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2023 IATA Cargo Handling Manual (ICHM)
2023 IATA Cargo Handling Manual (ICHM)
What's inside the ICHM?
You’ll find everything you wanted to know about shipping cargo inside the ICHM. And lots of information you didn’t know you needed. Each chapter outlines what happens at each stage of the shipping process.
- Book and plan shipments, pick them up from the shipper
- Receive freight at the forwarder branch and transfer it to the forwarder hub
- Prepare export shipments
- Transfer shipments to and receive shipments from the carrier domain,
- Accept shipments as ready for carriage and prepare for transport
- Send shipments to the flight and distribute information
- Unload and dispatch shipment to warehouse
- Check-in and arrive shipments, transfer shipments to forwarder
- Load truck and produce run sheet, deliver and obtain proof of delivery
Want to see more? Download the full table of contents.
Stay up-to-date
In the 2022 edition, there are a number of notable changes including:
- Development of the cargo Operational Risk Assessment (ORA) that is based on the Master Operating Plan (MOP)
The ORA will identify the main risks associated with each of the 19 steps of the journey of a piece of cargo, from the shipper to the consignee. It will also provide a high-level risk mitigation plan with the goal of helping shippers, freight forwarders, cargo handlers and airlines to ensure a seamless and efficient air cargo operation.
- Enhancement and clarification of the acceptance process for airmail
This update will show additional information to be checked when accepting mail and will provide more information regarding data to be checked on electronic documentation against physical airmail. This will ensure compliance with Regulations, embargoes and specific acceptance checks for Extra Territorial Offices of Exchange (ETOE).