Effective 1 January - 31 December 2023

IATA Cargo Handling

Manual (ICHM)
Edition 7
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 Table of Contents
Preface .............................................................................................................................................................. vii
Acknowledgements .......................................................................................................................................... ix
Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................... xi
Applicability ........................................................................................................................................ xi
Significant Changes .......................................................................................................................... xii
Reference Marks ............................................................................................................................... xii
Record of Revisions .......................................................................................................................... xii
Purpose and Scope ......................................................................................................................... xiii
Relationship to Other Publications ................................................................................................... xiv
Goals ................................................................................................................................................ xv
Data Exchange ................................................................................................................................. xv
Standard Messages .......................................................................................................................... xv
DIS Sub-Codes ............................................................................................................................... xvii
Trade Sanctions and Export Risk Mitigation ..................................................................................xviii
PLACI ............................................................................................................................................... xix
Standard Operating Procedure for e-AWB ....................................................................................... xx
Interactive Cargo .............................................................................................................................. xx
ONE Record ..................................................................................................................................... xxi
Recommended Practice for Operational Risk Assessment (ORA) .................................................xxii
Training Requirements ................................................................................................................. xxxvi
Record of Training ........................................................................................................................ xxxvi
Competency-Based Training and Assessment ...........................................................................xxxvii
Cargo Build-Up Competency Training ........................................................................................xxxviii
Biosafety Measures .......................................................................................................................... xli
IATA Health and Safety Standards Checklist for Airline Operators ................................................xliii
Biosafety Poster for Air Cargo Staff ................................................................................................ xliv
Sustainability and Cargo Handling Operations ................................................................................xlv
Chapter 1—Book & Plan Shipments ................................................................................................................ 1
1.1 Receive Shippers’ Request & Check Security Status ........................................................................3
1.2 Receive Shipper Freight Information .................................................................................................. 3
1.3 Plan the Routing–Direct or Consolidation ..........................................................................................4
1.4 Request Capacity Against Forwarder or Carrier Inventories .............................................................4
1.5 Confirm Capacity ................................................................................................................................ 5
1.6 Create Route Maps (A2A/D2D) & Share* ..........................................................................................5

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1.7 Arrange Pick up of Freight ................................................................................................................. 5

1.8 Mail Contracting and Planning between Post and Carrier .................................................................6
Chapter 2—Pick-up from the Shipper ........................................................................................................... 11
2.1 Labelling Freight (by Shipper) .......................................................................................................... 13
2.2 Associate Unique Piece Level Information (UPID) with Booking .....................................................13
2.3 Pick-up Freight ................................................................................................................................. 14
2.4 Mail Receipt by Post from Sender ................................................................................................... 14
Chapter 3—Receive Freight at Forwarder Branch Facility ..........................................................................17
3.1 Arrival of the Truck at the Forwarder Branch Facility .......................................................................19
3.2 Verify Physical Integrity of Cargo & Check/Apply Labelling .............................................................19
3.3 Check if Information Matches the Actual Freight and Security ........................................................20
3.4 Check the Accuracy of the Booking & Adjust if Needed ..................................................................20
3.5 Create Shipment Record .................................................................................................................. 20
3.6 Sort & Transfer Freight to Build or Storage Locations .....................................................................20
Chapter 4—Transfer to Forwarder Hub ......................................................................................................... 21
4.1 Confirm Information to the Hub ........................................................................................................ 23
4.2 Issue Loading List for Truck to Hub and Load Freight .....................................................................23
4.3 Departure of Loaded Truck from Forwarder Branch Facility to Forwarder Hub ..............................23
Chapter 5—Prepare Export Shipments ......................................................................................................... 25
5.1 Arrival and Unload of Truck at the Forwarder Hub ..........................................................................27
5.2 Verify the Physical Integrity of the Truckload ...................................................................................27
5.3 Check the Security Status of the Shipment .....................................................................................27
5.4 Create Shipment Record & Consolidation Manifest .........................................................................27
5.5 Send Freight Picking Instructions to Warehouse .............................................................................28
5.6 Prepare Shipment for Export ............................................................................................................ 28
5.7 Mail Preparation by Post for Handover to Carrier ............................................................................28
Chapter 6—Transfer Shipment to the Carrier Domain ................................................................................33
6.1 Issue Loading List for Truck to Carrier/Load Freight .......................................................................35
6.2 Departure of Loaded Truck from Forwarder Hub to Carrier Domain ...............................................35
6.3 Transmit Forwarder Information to Carrier ....................................................................................... 35
6.4 Arrival of Truck at Carrier Domain ................................................................................................... 35
Chapter 7—Receive Shipments into the Carrier Domain ............................................................................37
7.1 Channel Forwarder Information to Applicable Parties .....................................................................39
7.2 Assign Unloading Slot and Position to Delivery Truck .....................................................................40
7.3 Validate Security/Customs Status Truck ..........................................................................................40
7.4 Unload Truck/Receive Transfer Shipments .....................................................................................40
7.5 Secure Cargo as Applicable ............................................................................................................. 42

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7.6 Check if Booking Information Matches the Actual Freight ...............................................................44

7.7 Mail Handover at Origin and Building Load Plan .............................................................................45
Chapter 8—Accept Shipments as Ready for Carriage ................................................................................49
8.1 Verify if Shipments are Security Cleared ......................................................................................... 51
8.2 Perform Ready for Carriage Checks ................................................................................................51
8.3 Validate Information against the Booking and Update .....................................................................59
Chapter 9—Prepare Cargo for Transport ...................................................................................................... 61
9.1 Receive Transit Shipments .............................................................................................................. 63
9.2 Shipments in Transit are Security Cleared ......................................................................................63
9.3 Plan Flight & Send Build-up Plan to Warehouse .............................................................................63
9.4 Collect Freight & Unitise as Planned (Cargo Build Up on ULDs) ....................................................64
9.5 Consolidate Information ................................................................................................................... 91
Chapter 10—Send Shipments to the Flight .................................................................................................. 93
10.1 Move Shipments from Warehouse to the Hold Area for Ramp Transportation ...............................95
10.2 Move Shipments from Hold Area to Aircraft .....................................................................................96
10.3 Load the Aircraft as per Load Plan .................................................................................................. 97
10.4 Resolve Discrepancies ..................................................................................................................... 97
10.5 Departure of the Aircraft ................................................................................................................... 97
10.6 Mail Flight Manifest, Loading and Carriage .....................................................................................97
Chapter 11—Distribute Information ............................................................................................................... 99
11.1 Transmit Flight and Shipment Information to Down-line Stations & Authorities ............................101
Chapter 12—Unload and Dispatch Shipment to Warehouse ....................................................................103
12.1 Arrive Flight at Destination Airport ................................................................................................. 105
12.2 Unload Flight .................................................................................................................................. 105
12.3 Move Shipments to the Appropriate Facility ..................................................................................105
12.4 Arrive Shipments at Warehouse .................................................................................................... 106
12.5 Mail Arrival and Receipt by Carrier at Intermediate/Final Airport ...................................................106
Chapter 13—Check-in Shipments ................................................................................................................ 109
13.1 Receive Shipments in Warehouse ................................................................................................. 111
13.2 Move Shipments in Transit to Appropriate Location ......................................................................116
13.3 Move Shipments to be Transferred to Other Carrier .....................................................................117
Chapter 14—Arrive Shipments ..................................................................................................................... 119
14.1 Store Freight for Import .................................................................................................................. 121
14.2 Notify the Consignee or Forwarder that Shipment and Information are on Hand at Destination ..121
14.3 Handover of Documents to Consignee or Forwarder ....................................................................121

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Chapter 15—Handover the Freight to the Forwarder ................................................................................123

15.1 Check the Customs Release Status .............................................................................................. 125
15.2 Prepare the Freight for Handover .................................................................................................. 125
15.3 Handover the Freight to the Forwarder ..........................................................................................125
15.4 Mail Preparation for Handover to Post, or for Transfer/Transit ......................................................127
Chapter 16—Arrive Shipment at Forwarder Hub ........................................................................................ 131
16.1 Depart Freight for Forwarder Hub .................................................................................................. 134
16.2 Arrive/Unload Truck at Forwarder Hub ..........................................................................................134
16.3 Check Shipment Details Against Expected (After Breakdown) ......................................................134
16.4 Resolve Discrepancies ................................................................................................................... 134
16.5 Issue Loading List for On-carriage or Delivery ...............................................................................134
16.6 Mail Receipt by Post from Carrier .................................................................................................. 134
Chapter 17—Transfer Shipment to Forwarder Branch Facility ................................................................137
17.1 Depart Truck to Forwarder Branch Facility ....................................................................................140
17.2 Arrive/Unload Truck at Forwarder Branch Facility .........................................................................140
17.3 Check/Verify Physical Integrity of Truckload ..................................................................................140
17.4 Resolve Discrepancies ................................................................................................................... 140
Chapter 18—Load Truck and Produce Run Sheet .....................................................................................141
18.1 Contact Customer for Handover Instructions .................................................................................144
18.2 Pick up of Freight by Customer ...................................................................................................... 144
18.3 Issue Loading List for Truck to Consignee/Load Truck .................................................................144
18.4 Depart Truck from Forwarder Branch Facility to Consignee ..........................................................144
18.5 Mail Preparation by Post and Handover to Addressee ..................................................................144
Chapter 19—Deliver, Obtain Proof of Delivery (POD) and Conclude Cycle ............................................147
19.1 Make Delivery & Capture POD Data .............................................................................................. 149
19.2 Upload POD Information to System ............................................................................................... 149
Appendix A—Glossary .................................................................................................................................. 151
Appendix B—Abbreviations ......................................................................................................................... 159
Appendix C—Cargo SGHA ........................................................................................................................... 165
Appendix D—Cargo SLA .............................................................................................................................. 169
Appendix E—Segregation Chart .................................................................................................................. 179
Appendix F—Operational Damage Limits Notice (ODLN) .........................................................................181
Appendix G—Mail Handling Pre-Conditions (PC) ......................................................................................187
Appendix H—Annexes to Mail Handling ..................................................................................................... 191
Appendix I—Irregularity Handling ............................................................................................................... 199
Appendix J—Cargo Handling Task List ...................................................................................................... 203

vi EDITION 7, JANUARY 2023

Preface
This seventh edition of the IATA Cargo Handling Manual (ICHM) is effective 1 January to 31 December 2023.
This manual contains the latest procedures and recommended practices for the safe and efficient handling of
cargo.
It was agreed by the IATA Cargo Handling Consultative Council (ICHC) members to align the IATA Cargo
Handling Manual (ICHM) effectiveness period with other IATA Publications (such as the IATA Dangerous
Goods Regulations, Live Animal Regulations, Perishable Cargo Regulations, Temperature Control
Regulations and ULD Regulations).
Accordingly, future editions of this manual will be effective from 1st January to 31st December of the current
year.
The standards have been developed by specialist groups under the governance structure of the Cargo
Service Conference (CSC) as the most practical and economical standards for carriers, ground service
providers and airports to follow.
The incorporation into this manual has been coordinated by the IATA Cargo Handling Consultative Council
(ICHC).
Additional information on the following groups can be found on the IATA Website:
IATA Cargo: http://www.iata.org/whatwedo/cargo/Pages/index.aspx
IATA Cargo Services Conference: http://www.iata.org/whatwedo/workgroups/Pages/csc.aspx
IATA Cargo Handling Consultative Council: http://www.iata.org/whatwedo/cargo/Pages/cargo-
operations.aspx

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viii EDITION 7, JANUARY 2023

Acknowledgements
The IATA Cargo Handling Manual (ICHM) is issued with grateful acknowledgement to the many individuals,
organizations, IATA member airlines and Cargo Handling Agents who contributed expert advice and
comments on the contents compiled herein.
This manual has been developed by the IATA Cargo Handling Consultative Council (ICHC), created in 2012
to attend the concerns of the industry on cargo operations, in consultation with all the Cargo Services
Conferences subgroups.
The IATA/Cargo Handling consultative Council (ICHC) has been established to bring together members from
airlines and cargo handling agents to provide recommendations on cargo operations and handling.
The ICHC's objective is to develop best-practice processes and procedures to address all aspect of cargo
acceptance and handling. The Council will be responsible for the following areas and for other tasks as may
be delegated by Conference:
• On industry standards and best practices such as the acceptance, handling and uplift of cargo;
• On necessary amendments to the content of related standards and manuals such as the Airport Handling
Manual (AHM), the IATA Ground Operations Manual (IGOM) as well as the applicable ISAGO standards,
and to the IATA Training & Development Institute and training programs that support these activities;
• On operational processes and procedures on the handling of special cargo shipments such as dangerous
goods, live animals and temperature sensitive shipments, etc.;
• On the authoring of the IATA Cargo Handling Manual (ICHM) and endorsement of amendments.
The IATA Cargo Handling Council (ICHC) gratefully acknowledges the technical assistance and advice
concerning the development of this manual by the following individuals:
Jussi Mattila (Cargolux)
Rani Joseph George (Lufthansa)
Christopher Licht (Celebi)
Christian Bergfelder (DHL)
Robert Fordree (Menzies)
Arnoud Wink (KLM Cargo)
Paul Cheng (Hactl)
Veronique Darche (Air Canada)
Mohamed Abdel Aziz (EgyptAir)
Florian Schulte (Air Cargo Services Hannover)
Alexander Cornelius (Singapore Airlines)
Alan Wright (dnata)
Alessandro Rivolta (Alha)
Wayne Fuller (IAG)
John Dowds (WFS)
Andrew Wareham (Swissport)
Secretary and authors:
Andre Majeres, IATA Head of eCommerce and Cargo Operations.

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Introduction
Airlines are responsible for their operating procedures, even when using a 3rd party handling company.
Therefore, airlines and their Cargo Handling Agents (CHAs) need a single agreed cargo handling standard to
follow to improve safety, security, quality, and efficiency and reduce costs.
In order to “integrate” the supply chain more effectively the parties must understand what each other is doing.
In addition to understanding, they must perform certain tasks in certain ways to facilitate an efficient handover
of information and cargo. This means we must begin to integrate off airport processes into the on airport
(warehouse) processes.
The aim of this publication is to:
1. To align and collect all cargo handling procedures with current best practices;
2. Use the Cargo Service Conference (CSC) governance structure for efficiency publishing (from time of
agreement) and therefore adoption of new standards;
3. Align to Member operations manual structure (normally cargo handling is separate from other ground
operations function);
4. Include content not found in the IATA Ground Operations Manual (IGOM) scope but currently found in
airline cargo handling manuals (e.g. processes, recommended SLA, Smart Facilities, etc).

Applicability
The audience of this publication is anyone involved in cargo operations as described in the industry Master
Operating Plan (MOP) a new IATA CSC Recommended Practice (RP 1683), for example for cargo handling
agents to follow clear standards, airlines wishing to adopt industry standards, freight forwarders to understand
their responsibilities in ensuring cargo operations are carried out seamlessly.
A total of 19 main processes have been identified as fundamental to the movement of goods from a shipper's
door to a consignee's door. Starting with the “Booking and Planning” of shipments initiated by a shippers
requirement, through to the final Delivery at a consignees door.
The main processes are grouped into activities based upon the preceding categories, in a chronological order
of their usual occurrence.
Each of the Cargo IQ milestones are indicated alongside the main process where they would occur or be
expected to have occurred.
The Industry MOP is a generic description of the air transportation process, excluding elements that are
unique to Cargo IQ, intended to be used by the whole industry.
The document provides the air cargo supply chain with the first, industry-endorsed, standard description of the
end-to-end process of transporting cargo by air with the goal to:
• Serve as the foundation for developing industry standards and best practices in areas such as e-Cargo,
security, quality, and others;
• Facilitate discussions with regulators;
• Ease dialogue with partners in the supply chain.
IATA recommends to all participants in the supply chain to use the Industry MOP when defining internal
processes and in discussions with business partners.
The document has already been adopted by leading industry organizations, including TIACA, the Airport
Services Association (ASA), the Cool Chain Association (CCA), and ULD Care.

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