Air Cargo Glossary
The words air cargo runs on, from booking to delivery, explained the way someone on the acceptance floor would explain them.
115 terms · 8 topics
Most looked up
What people read most here this month.
- AWB01Air WaybillAn air waybill (AWB) is the transport document for an air shipment and the evidence of the contract of carriage between the shipper and the airline.
- Chargeable weight02Chargeable weight is the weight an air shipment is billed on.
- ULD03Unit Load DeviceA unit load device (ULD) is a pallet or container used to load cargo and baggage onto an aircraft.
- HAWB04House Air WaybillA house air waybill (HAWB) is the waybill a forwarder issues to each shipper in a consolidation.
- e-AWB05Electronic Air WaybillAn electronic air waybill (e-AWB) is an air waybill sent as data instead of on paper, using the FWB or XFWB message.
- DGR06Dangerous Goods RegulationsThe Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) are IATA's manual for shipping dangerous goods by air, covering classification, packing, marking, documents and loading.
115 entries
A
- ACASAir Cargo Advance ScreeningAir Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS) is a US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) programme that requires air cargo data to be sent before the cargo is loaded at the last foreign airport.
- ACIAdvance Cargo InformationAdvance cargo information (ACI) is the general name for rules that make carriers send shipment data to customs before goods arrive in a country.
- Actual gross weightActual gross weight is the real weight of a shipment including its packaging, as weighed on a scale.
- AllotmentAn allotment is cargo space on specific flights that an airline reserves in advance for a forwarder or GSA, usually under a contract with agreed rates.
- AOGAircraft On GroundAircraft on ground (AOG) means an aircraft cannot fly until it gets a spare part or repair.
- ATA / ATDActual Time of Arrival / DepartureActual time of arrival (ATA) and actual time of departure (ATD) are the times a flight really arrived and left, as recorded by the airline.
- AVILive AnimalsAVI is the IATA special handling code for live animals.
- AWBAir WaybillAn air waybill (AWB) is the transport document for an air shipment and the evidence of the contract of carriage between the shipper and the airline.
B
- Belly cargoBelly cargo is freight carried in the lower deck holds of passenger aircraft.
- Bonded warehouseA bonded warehouse is a secure, customs-approved facility where imported goods can be stored without paying duties or taxes.
- BookingA booking is a reservation of cargo space on a specific flight for an agreed weight, volume and rate.
- Break bulkBreak bulk is the splitting of a consolidated shipment into its separate house shipments at destination, so each one can go to its own consignee.
- BUPBulk Unitization ProgramA BUP (bulk unitization programme) is a ULD that the shipper or forwarder builds and hands to the airline ready to fly.
C
- CAOCargo Aircraft OnlyCargo aircraft only (CAO) is the label and special handling code for dangerous goods that may be carried on freighters only, never on passenger aircraft.
- Cargo-IMPCargo Interchange Message ProceduresCargo-IMP (Cargo Interchange Message Procedures) is IATA's older standard for text-based cargo messages such as FWB, FFM, FSU and FHL.
- Cargo-XMLCargo-XML is IATA's XML standard for air cargo messages.
- CASSCargo Account Settlement SystemThe Cargo Account Settlement System (CASS) is IATA's system for billing and settlement between airlines and their cargo agents.
- CBMCubic MetreA cubic metre (CBM) is the unit used to measure a shipment's volume.
- CCACargo Charges Correction AdviceA cargo charges correction advice (CCA) is the document used to correct the charges or other details on an air waybill after it has been issued, for example a new weight or rate.
- Chargeable weightChargeable weight is the weight an air shipment is billed on.
- COLCool GoodsCOL is the IATA special handling code for cool goods that must be kept chilled but not frozen.
- ConsigneeThe consignee is the person or company named on the air waybill to receive the shipment at destination.
- ConsolidationConsolidation is when a forwarder groups shipments from several shippers into one shipment under a single master air waybill (MAWB).
- CRTControlled Room TemperatureCRT is the IATA special handling code for controlled room temperature, meaning the shipment must stay between +15 °C and +25 °C.
- CTOCargo Terminal OperatorA cargo terminal operator (CTO) is the company that runs a cargo terminal at an airport.
- Cut-off timeCut-off time is the latest time cargo can be handed to the airline and still fly on a given flight.
D
- DDPDelivered Duty PaidDelivered Duty Paid (DDP) is the Incoterms rule where the seller carries all costs and risks until the goods reach the named place of destination, cleared for import with duties and taxes paid.
- DeconsolidationDeconsolidation is the splitting of a consolidated shipment into its separate house shipments at destination.
- DGDangerous GoodsDangerous goods (DG) are articles or substances that can harm people, aircraft or property in air transport, such as batteries, flammable liquids, gases and corrosives.
- DGDShipper's Declaration for Dangerous GoodsA Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods (DGD) is the signed form in which the shipper confirms that dangerous goods are correctly classified, packed, marked, labelled and documented.
- DGRDangerous Goods RegulationsThe Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) are IATA's manual for shipping dangerous goods by air, covering classification, packing, marking, documents and loading.
- DIPDiplomatic MailDIP is the IATA special handling code for diplomatic mail, such as diplomatic bags and pouches.
E
- e-AWBElectronic Air WaybillAn electronic air waybill (e-AWB) is an air waybill sent as data instead of on paper, using the FWB or XFWB message.
- EATFoodstuffsEAT is the IATA special handling code for food meant for people to eat.
- ELILithium Ion Batteries, Section IIELI is the IATA special handling code for lithium ion batteries packed with or inside equipment under Section II of the DGR (packing instructions 966 and 967).
- ELMLithium Metal Batteries, Section IIELM is the IATA special handling code for lithium metal batteries packed with or inside equipment under Section II of the DGR (packing instructions 969 and 970).
- ETA / ETDEstimated Time of Arrival / DepartureEstimated time of arrival (ETA) and estimated time of departure (ETD) are the current forecasts for when a flight will arrive or leave.
- EXWEx WorksEx Works (EXW) is the Incoterms rule where the seller only makes the goods available at its own premises.
F
- FBLFreight Booked ListFBL (freight booked list) is the Cargo-IMP message listing all shipments booked on a flight.
- FCAFree CarrierFree Carrier (FCA) is the Incoterms rule where the seller hands the goods, cleared for export, to the carrier or another party named by the buyer at an agreed place.
- FFAFreight Booking AnswerFFA (freight booking answer) is the Cargo-IMP message an airline sends in reply to a booking request (FFR).
- FFMFlight Manifest MessageFFM (flight manifest message) is the Cargo-IMP message that lists every shipment loaded on a flight, with pieces, weight and ULD.
- FFRFreight Booking RequestFFR (freight booking request) is the Cargo-IMP message an agent or forwarder sends to an airline to ask for space on a flight.
- FHLConsolidation List MessageFHL (consolidation list message) is the Cargo-IMP message that lists the house air waybills in a consolidation under one master air waybill.
- FIATAInternational Federation of Freight Forwarders AssociationsThe International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) is the global body that represents freight forwarders.
- FOHFreight On HandFOH (freight on hand) is the status code meaning the handler has received the cargo but the airline has not yet accepted it for carriage.
- ForwarderA freight forwarder is a company that organises shipments for shippers.
- FreighterA freighter is an aircraft built or converted to carry only cargo, with no passenger seats.
- FSUFreight Status UpdateFSU (freight status update) is the Cargo-IMP message that reports a shipment milestone, such as booked (BKD), ready for carriage (RCS), departed (DEP), arrived (ARR), received from flight (RCF), notified for delivery (NFD) or delivered (DLV).
- Fuel surchargeA fuel surcharge is an extra charge per kilogram that airlines add to the freight rate to cover changes in fuel prices.
- FWBAir Waybill MessageFWB (air waybill message) is the Cargo-IMP message that carries the data of an air waybill.
G
- GCRGeneral Cargo RateA general cargo rate (GCR) is the standard published rate for cargo that does not qualify for a specific commodity rate or a class rate.
- GHAGround Handling AgentA ground handling agent (GHA) is a company an airline contracts to handle its cargo at an airport.
- GSAGeneral Sales AgentA general sales agent (GSA) is a company that sells an airline's cargo space in a market on the airline's behalf, often where the airline has no sales office of its own.
H
- HAWBHouse Air WaybillA house air waybill (HAWB) is the waybill a forwarder issues to each shipper in a consolidation.
- HEAHeavy CargoHEA is the IATA special handling code for heavy cargo of 150 kg or more per piece.
- HS codeHarmonized System codeAn HS code is a product number from the Harmonized System, which customs authorities worldwide use to classify goods.
- HubA hub is an airport where an airline concentrates its network, so cargo can transfer between its flights.
- HUMHuman RemainsHUM is the IATA special handling code for human remains in coffins.
I
- IATAInternational Air Transport AssociationThe International Air Transport Association (IATA) is the trade association of the world's airlines.
- ICAOInternational Civil Aviation OrganizationThe International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is the United Nations agency that sets global standards for civil aviation.
- ICEDry IceICE is the IATA special handling code for dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid, UN 1845), often used to keep perishables and pharmaceuticals cold.
- ICS2Import Control System 2Import Control System 2 (ICS2) is the EU's advance cargo information system for goods entering or passing through the EU.
- IncotermsIncoterms are the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) rules that say where costs and risks pass from seller to buyer in a sale of goods.
- InterlineInterline is when a shipment travels on two or more airlines under one air waybill, with the airlines sharing the revenue between them.
L
- LARLive Animals RegulationsThe Live Animals Regulations (LAR) are IATA's manual for shipping live animals by air, including container rules for each species.
- LATLatest Acceptance TimeLatest acceptance time (LAT) is the latest time a shipment can be handed in at the cargo terminal and still make its booked flight.
- LD3Lower Deck container (AKE)An LD3 is the most common lower deck container, sized to fit the belly hold of wide-body aircraft.
- LDMLoad MessageLDM (load message) is the IATA message that gives a flight's final load by hold, covering passengers, baggage, cargo and mail.
- Load planA load plan is the plan that shows which ULDs and bulk cargo go into which positions on an aircraft, within its weight, balance and loading limits.
M
- MAWBMaster Air WaybillA master air waybill (MAWB) is the air waybill an airline issues to a forwarder for a whole consolidation.
- MDMain DeckThe main deck (MD) is an aircraft's main cabin floor, above the lower deck holds.
- MTOWMaximum Take-Off WeightMaximum take-off weight (MTOW) is the highest weight at which an aircraft is certified to take off.
N
- NOTOCNotification to CaptainA NOTOC (notification to captain) is the document that tells the pilot in command which dangerous goods and other special loads are on board and where they are loaded.
- NVDNo Value DeclaredNo value declared (NVD) is written on the air waybill when the shipper does not declare a value for carriage.
O
- OBCOn Board CourierAn on-board courier (OBC) is a person who flies as a passenger and carries an urgent shipment as checked or hand baggage, for the fastest door-to-door delivery.
- OffloadAn offload is cargo taken off a planned flight, usually because of weight, space or document problems.
- ONE RecordONE Record is IATA's standard for sharing shipment data through web APIs, so every party works from one shared record instead of sending messages back and forth.
P
- PayloadPayload is the revenue-earning load a flight carries: cargo, mail, passengers and their baggage.
- PEMMeatPEM is the IATA special handling code for meat and meat products.
- PERPerishable CargoPER is the IATA special handling code for perishable cargo, meaning goods that spoil over time or at the wrong temperature, such as flowers, fruit and food.
- PESFish / SeafoodPES is the IATA special handling code for fish and seafood, one of the most time-sensitive perishables.
- PILPharmaceuticalsPIL is the IATA special handling code for pharmaceuticals and other healthcare products.
- PMCMain pallet 96 × 125 inA PMC is the most common aircraft pallet, with a 96 × 125 inch (244 × 318 cm) base, used on both the main deck and the lower deck.
- PODProof of DeliveryProof of delivery (POD) is the confirmation that a shipment was delivered, with the date, time and the name or signature of the person who received it.
- Prepaid / CollectPrepaid and collect say who pays the air freight charges.
- PSNProper Shipping NameThe proper shipping name (PSN) is the official name of a dangerous good, taken from the DGR list, that must be used on documents and package markings.
R
- RARegulated AgentA regulated agent (RA) is a forwarder, handler or other company approved by the aviation security authority to screen cargo or apply security controls and give it a security status.
- Rate classA rate class is the one-letter code on the air waybill that shows how the rate was worked out.
- RCLCryogenic LiquidsRCL is the IATA special handling code for cryogenic liquids, which are refrigerated liquefied gases such as liquid nitrogen or liquid helium.
- RCSReady for CarriageRCS (ready for carriage) is the status code meaning the airline has accepted the shipment from the shipper or agent and it is ready to fly.
- RFSRoad Feeder ServiceRoad feeder service (RFS) is trucking that moves air cargo between airports under a flight number and an air waybill, usually to or from a hub.
- RRYRadioactive, Yellow labelRRY is the IATA special handling code for radioactive material in category II or III, which carries yellow labels.
S
- SCRSpecific Commodity RateA specific commodity rate (SCR) is a lower rate for a named type of goods on a specific route, usually with a minimum weight.
- ScreeningScreening is the security check of cargo before it is loaded, using methods such as X-ray, explosive trace detection, sniffer dogs or a physical search.
- SDSSafety Data SheetA safety data sheet (SDS) is the document from the manufacturer or supplier that describes a product's hazards and how to handle it safely.
- Security surchargeA security surcharge is an extra charge per kilogram that covers the cost of cargo screening and security.
- SHCSpecial Handling CodeA special handling code (SHC) is a three-letter IATA code that tells everyone handling a shipment how to treat it, such as PER for perishables, AVI for live animals or VAL for valuables.
- ShipperThe shipper is the person or company that sends the goods and is named as such on the air waybill.
- SLIShipper's Letter of InstructionA shipper's letter of instruction (SLI) is the shipper's written instructions to the forwarder on how to ship the goods and fill in the air waybill.
- Spot rateA spot rate is a one-off price quoted for a single shipment, outside the published or contract rates.
- SSRSpecial Service RequestA special service request (SSR) is a free-text line in a booking or cargo message that asks for special treatment of a shipment.
- STCSaid To ContainSaid to contain (STC) is wording on a transport document showing that the carrier has not checked the contents and relies on the shipper's description.
T
U
V
- VALValuable CargoVAL is the IATA special handling code for valuable cargo, such as gold, banknotes and gems.
- Volumetric weightVolumetric weight is a weight worked out from a shipment's size instead of its mass: length × width × height in centimetres, divided by 6,000.
- VUNVulnerable CargoVUN is the IATA special handling code for vulnerable cargo, meaning goods likely to be stolen, such as phones, electronics and luxury items.
Missing a word or found a mistake? Tell us and someone who has run cargo will fix it.