ULD Fundamentals

3-day (24 hours) classroom course

IATA’s introductory Unit Load Device (ULD) course gives you the essential skills to work safely and confidently in air‑cargo and warehouse operations—no prior ULD knowledge needed. You’ll learn how warehouse safety, cargo security, and stakeholder roles connect to ULD handling in global aviation. You’ll explore ULD types, markings, airworthiness checks, certification requirements, and how ULDs interact with aircraft and Cargo Loading Systems. You’ll also build your understanding of proper storage, handling equipment, internal transport, and risk‑prevention practices. The course guides you through ULD control and interlining, IATA standards, UCR/UCM messaging, stock‑management basics, and repair and serviceability criteria. You’ll finish by learning how to plan, build up, and break down ULD loads using techniques that ensure safety, compliance, and airworthiness across global air‑cargo operations.



Course Code: CGC068VEEN01

Course format

• This classroom course provides 3 days (24 hours) of instruction delivered by an official IATA Instructor.
• Take this course at an IATA Training Center, Regional Training Partner, or on-demand as in-house training.
• Student performance will be based on an assessment.

Prerequisites

• Recommended level is Entry-level and Intermediate.
• The recommended level of language proficiency is ICAO Operational Level 4 or the equivalent for courses held in languages other than English.

How to register

• When you click the Register button, you will be directed to log in to your Training Account.
• Register early and save up to 25% at our Training Centers! Please read the Terms and Conditions for the early bird discount.

In-house training

To arrange in-house training for your company, please complete the in-house training request form or contact the Training Specialist in your region.

 

Upon completing this course, you will be able to:

• Explain key warehouse operations, safety, cargo‑security basics, regulatory bodies, industry groups, and core terminology
• Identify major air‑cargo stakeholders and their responsibilities across the supply chain
• Describe ULD functions in the air‑cargo supply chain, including aircraft/CLS interaction, UCM use, and interline ULD management
• Recognize ULD types, markings, airworthiness and inspection needs, serviceability standards, repair procedures, and signs of unserviceable ULDs
• Distinguish certified from non‑certified ULDs, including certification steps and ongoing compliance obligations
• Apply secure ULD load‑construction methods, planning steps, buildup/breakdown processes, and airworthiness techniques using appropriate facilities, equipment, storage, and internal transport practices

The key topics that are covered during this course include:

• Warehouse operations, safety, and cargo security
• Key air cargo stakeholders and their roles
• ULD purpose, types, markings, and interaction with aircraft/CLS. ULD airworthiness, inspections, certification, and post-certification requirements
• Quality, risk, storage, equipment, and internal transport processes for ULDs
• ULD Control, interlining, IATA standards, UCR, UCM, stock management, and serviceability, repair standards
• ULD load planning, buildup/breakdown steps, and load airworthiness techniques

Activities

• Poll questions
• Group exercise

This course is recommended for:

• Warehouse staff without prior knowledge and experience in ULD operations, storage, warehouse and buildup processes.
• Freight forwarding staff without prior knowledge of ULD functions, operations, requirements and limitations.

An IATA Certificate of Completion is awarded to participants obtaining a grade of 80% or higher on an assessment. A special distinction is awarded to participants obtaining a grade of 90% or higher. Please note: This Certificate is valid for 36 months.