e-AWB

Implementation Playbook

October 2019

David SAUV
Manager, Digital Cargo
StB Cargo
 Version control
Revised by Changes Version Date
David SAUV Original 1.0 6 Dec 2016

Changes as per internal review

David SAUV 1.1 9 Dec 2016
with the e-Cargo team

Changes as per comment from

David SAUV 1.2 19 Dec 2016
Regional Cargo Managers

Minor typo and regional map

David SAUV 1.3 20 Dec 2016
changes

Modification following IATA and

David SAUV 1.4 16 Jan 2017
CX feedback

Modification following AA
David SAUV 1.5 24 Jan 2017
feedback

David SAUV Minor slide title modification (p.8) 1.6 05 Avr 2017

David SAUV Add IBS as SP 1.7 09 Jun 2017

David SAUV Add BOS as eAWB360 APT 1.8 14 Jun 2017

Change mission and vision of

David SAUV 1.9 17 Jul 2017
Digital Cargo (ex e-Cargo)

David SAUV Change of EVA AIR logo 1.10 7 AUG 2017

Add Freight Forwarder activation

David SAUV 1.11 25 SEP 2017
on step 4

Replace tables with link to IATA

David SAUV 2.0 13 APR 2018
reports

Isaac BERTIN Overall update 2.1 01 OCT 2019

StB Cargo 2
 Table of Contents
General introduction to Digital Cargo ………………………………………………………………. 4
e-AWB progress status ……………………………………………………………………………. 17
e-AWB implementation steps ………………………………………………………………………. 24
Pre-requisite / Check the regulatory environment …..…………………………………………… 25
Step 1 / Join the Multilateral e-AWB Agreement ………..……………………………………..… 27
Step 2 / Ensure your technology supports e-AWB ………….……………………………………29
Step 3 / Ensure high-quality electronic messages ……….………………………………………..32
Step 4 / Ensure business processes are set ………….…………………………………..… 35
Step 5 / Roll out e-AWB ……………………………………………..……………………………… 40
Step 6 / Report e-AWB shipments …………………………….……………………………….… 42
Wrap up …………………………….……………………………………………………………….… 44

StB Cargo
 Digital Cargo @ IATA

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 Digital Cargo @ IATA

Our vision

To achieve a fully digitally connected and integrated air

cargo supply chain

Our mission

We lead the industry with end-to-end supply chain

collaboration on development of innovative technology
streamlined processes and global standards

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 Driving change
IATA supports Digital Cargo implementation by developing industry
standards and offering guidance and tools that facilitate the
adoption of new initiatives
Workshop & conference Solution
Beyond the World Cargo Symposium, IATA To support the digital transformation of the
organizes the annual Digital Cargo air cargo industry, IATA developed a range
Conference in Geneva and regular e-Cargo of solutions aiming to help the entire supply
workshops at the local levels. During those chain actors moving toward of paperless way
events, attendees benefit from a thorough of working:
understanding of new Digital Cargo initiatives - Matchmaker
and the ability to network with subject matter - Cargo-XML AutoCheck
experts and other industry colleagues. - Message Improvement Program
- EPIC

Business Process & Standard Technology

In order to remove paper and use electronic Moving to Digital Cargo requires changes in
messages it is necessary to have common the technologies used by the air freight
and clear business process and standards, stakeholders. IATA facilitates understanding
which are the foundations of Digital Cargo of key IT requirements necessary to support
initiatives. IATA is driving business process Digital Cargo projects, and offer guidance
and standard setting activities gathering the with regard to solutions and services
industry in workgroups and governance available on the market.
bodies.

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 e-Freight
Designed to fulfill the vision

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 Digitization of the air cargo industry
In 2017, more than 50% of the global air trade rely on paper-based processes.
A shipment can generate up to 30 paper documents
and many of the processes, such as track & trace,
still depend on human intervention

Each year, more than 7,800 tons of paper documents are processed,
the equivalent of 80 Boeing 747 freighters filled with paper

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 e-Freight: designed to fulfill the vision
e-Freight is an industry-wide program that aims to build an
end-to-end paperless transportation process for air cargo made possible with
regulatory framework, modern electronic messages and high quality of data

e-Freight is part of the StB Cargo program

aiming at making air cargo easier, smarter
and faster. The program portfolio holds 6
projects with the objective to accelerate
change in the areas of digitization, visibility
and safety EPIC

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 e-Freight benefits

The ultimate goal of the e-Freight program is to bring benefits for the air cargo industry

Operational efficiency Cost effectiveness Data quality

e-Freight brings operational e-Freight brings cost effectiveness e-Freight improves data quality and
efficiency through the reduction of through the reduction of document accuracy (e.g. auto-checks,
the end to end processing time (up processing and archiving costs mandatory fields, …)
to 24h)

Innovation Sustainability Regulatory compliance

Standardization and digitization are e-Freight will eliminate more than e-Freight implementation facilitates
key enablers for the development of 7,800 tons of paper documents compliance to international and local
new innovative services and annually, the equivalent of 80 regulations (e.g. facilitate Advance
solutions, thus increasing the value Boeing 747 freighters filled with Electronic Information (AEI)
of the air freight to shippers (e.g. paper requirements for security purpose)
real time status update)

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 The 3 pillars of the e-Freight program
Initiated by IATA in 2006, the program became an industry-wide initiative involving carriers, freight
forwarders, ground handlers, shippers, customs brokers and customs authorities
The e-Freight roadmap outlines a shared end-to-end industry approach with clear leadership roles,
around three core components, or "pillars"

1. Customs documents
Engaging regulators and governments worldwide to create an ‘e-freight route network’ with
fully electronic customs procedures and where regulations support paperless shipments

2. Transport documents
Commercial Working collaboratively within the cargo supply chain to digitize the core industry transport
Customs Transport & Special
documents documents cargo
documents, starting with the Air Waybill (AWB)
documents
3. Commercial & Special cargo documents
Developing a plan to digitize the commercial and special cargo documents typically
accompanying airfreight today, in or outside of the ‘Cargo pouch’

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 The scope of e-Freight
The scope of e-Freight covers 20 documents supported by 12 Cargo XML message standards

Export Goods House Manifest

Declaration
Import Goods Master Air Waybill XML Waybill XFWB XML Invoice XINV
Declaration
Export Cargo Flight Manifest XML House Waybill XFZB XML Packing List XPCL
Declaration
Import Cargo Transfer Manifest
XML House Manifest XFHL XML Certificate of Origin XCOO
Declaration Transit Declaration
Customs Release XML Shippers Letter of
Export Freight Book List XML Flight Manifest XFFM XSLI
Instruction
Customs Release
Import Consignment Security XML Freight Booked List XFBL
Declaration
XML Status Message XFSU

Customs documents Transportation documents XML Custom Status Notification XCSN

XML Shippers Declaration for DG XSDG

Invoice Certificate of Origin
Letter of Instruction CITES Certificate
Packing List Shipper's Dangerous
House Air Waybill Good Declaration

Commercial documents Special Cargo documents Transport messages Commercial messages

Scope of e-Freight documents Cargo XML Messages supporting the e-Freight program

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 e-AWB
Enabling the 100% e-Freight vision

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 The Air Waybill: 1st step toward e-Freight
The Air Waybill (AWB) is a critical air cargo document that constitutes the
contract of carriage between the “shipper” and the “carrier” (airline)

It is governed by IATA Resolution

600a “The Air Waybill” and 600b
“Air Waybill Conditions of Contract”

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 AWB and e-AWB
The electronic Air Waybill (e-AWB) is the electronic
contract of carriage between the “shipper” and the
“carrier” (airline)

The Electronic Air Waybill Resolution 672 (MeA) removes

the requirement for a paper Air Waybill

The original transportation contract is electronic

(shipment record)

There is no longer a need to print, handle or archive

the paper AWB simplifying the air cargo process

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 Paper AWB versus electronic AWB
The 2 components of an AWB can be found both in the paper and in the electronic worlds

Front (600a) Reverse (600b)

Paper
AWB
+
StB Cargo
e-AWB Electronic
messages
+ Signed e-AWB
agreement

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 e-AWB
Where do we stand now?

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 Status as of October 2019
In October 2019, the Air Cargo industry processed more than 2.4 million Air Waybills (AWBs)

2%
18%
22%
Africa
Asia Pacific 4%
Europe
Middle East
North Asia
Canada-LATAM
USA 22%

29%
3%

The industry is driven by three main regions representing 73% of the AWBs:
Europe, Asia Pacific and North Asia

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 e-AWB penetration: 66% as of October 2019

58.3 68.6
% %

74.8
%
50.2
%

61.5
% 64.1
%

The global e-AWB penetration

reached 66% on the legally feasible
trade lanes (~ 64% of the AWBs)

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 TOP performers / September 2019

The e-AWB monthly update (pdf) lists

the top participating countries, airports,
airlines, and freight forwarders

For more insight on the e-AWB

performance at airport level, check out
the Top 100 Airports monthly report (pdf)

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 e-AWB adoption / main challenges
Since its global rollout, the industry adoption of e-AWB faces the bellow main
challenges:

• e-AWB is not possible in all airports and all trade lanes due to regulatory
Regulatory constraints
limitations

• e-AWB procedures are not harmonized between freight forwarders, airlines

Lack of harmonization
and ground handling agents in key airports where e-AWB is live

• Many of the SME forwarders do not have the technical capability/EDI

enabled systems to enable them to transmit shipment data to airlines
Technology limitation • Some large forwarders face the same issue: their local branches are the
result of SME forwarders acquisition and their IT system have not been
aligned with the rest of the company

• Perceived complexity to do e-AWB for forwarders dealing with multiple

Complex process
airlines

• Some markets reached a certain level of maturity where major actors

Maturity threshold
(airlines / freight forwarders) already achieved the biggest potential

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 e-AWB adoption / supporting initiatives
In order to address the e-AWB adoption challenges and to accelerate the growth
in the penetration rate, the following supporting initiatives have been delivered:

Expand number of trade

lanes where e-freight • Continue the government supported e-freight initiatives in key locations
and e-AWB are possible

Harmonize e-AWB
procedures in key
• Developed an e-AWB Global Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
airports across
forwarders airlines/GHA

Provide implementation
• Developed an implementation playbook to support the adoption of e-AWB
guidance and materials

Coordination efforts of
• Strengthen the e-AWB penetration rate in the existing eAWB360 airports
industry in key e-
• Deploy eAWB360 initiatives at additional airports (in particular in Europe)
airports

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 e-AWB
How do we implement it?

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 Implementing e-AWB in 6 steps
The following 6 steps are key to ensure the success of an e-AWB implementation

1 2 3 4 5 6
Join Ensure Ensure
Ensure Report
the Multilateral high-quality business Roll out
your technology e-AWB
e-AWB electronic processes e-AWB
supports e-AWB shipments
Agreement messages are set

As a prerequisite, please verify that local regulations authorize

the use of e-AWB as a contract of carriage between the “shipper” and the “carrier”

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 Pre-requisite /
Check the regulatory environment

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 Regulatory framework for e-AWB
The use of e-AWB as a means to establish the contract of carriage is only recommended on feasible
trade lanes. In September, the feasible trade lanes represented 64% of the AWBs.

Feasible trade lane is defined

as such when country of origin
and country of destination
USA / France
ratified the same treaty - either
MC99 countries
the Montreal Protocol No. 4 of
1975 (MP4) or the Montreal
Convention of 1999 (MC99)

Countries that have ratified MP4

Countries that have ratified MC99

Brazil / Niger
The use of e-AWB as a contract of carriage
MP4 countries
between the “shipper” and the “carrier” may
also depends on government authorities
recognizing and accepting the e-AWB

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 Step 1 /
Join the Multilateral e-AWB
Agreement

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 Step 1 / Multilateral e-AWB Agreement
The IATA Multilateral e-AWB Agreement (IATA Resolution 672) provides a single standard e-AWB agreement that airlines and freight forwarders can
sign once with IATA and start doing e-AWB with all other parties to the Agreement. By signing the Agreement with IATA, freight forwarders and airlines
effectively enter into e-AWB Agreements with each other, i.e. enabling them to execute contracts for the carriage of air cargo shipments by electronic
means, in lieu of paper AWBs. The agreement does not amend the Air Waybill conditions of contract.

Before starting e-AWB, Airlines and freight Benefits

forwarders are required to sign the Multilateral e-
AWB Agreement (MeA) following the below steps:
Free of charge

Freight Forwarders process Provides the necessary legal

framework for establishing electronic
1 2 3 4 5 cargo contracts (e-AWB)
Complete and Receive the Receive Final Freight
Review and e-
submit the Agreement by e- agreement after Forwarder will be
sign the Avoids the need to negotiate
Online Joining mail from IATA counter-signed listed as party to
Agreement
Form Cargo by IATA the MeA numerous bilateral e-AWB
agreements with Airlines

Enables to do e-AWB with all

Airlines process
participating Airlines
1 2 3 4
Download, fill-in Participating Airlines and Freight Forwarders
Download and Send the Airline Airline to be
and sign the are listed on the IATA website. For more info,
read the Submission listed as party to
Resolution 672, please visit: www.iata.org/eawb-multilateral
Resolution 672 Form to IATA the MeA
Attachment ‘D’

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 Step 2 /
Ensure your technology supports
e-AWB

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 Step 2 / e-AWB messaging capability
Communicating effectively requires Freight Forwarders, Airlines and GHAs to exchange standard messages
The Resolution 670 rules the Cargo electronic data interchange message standard, supported
by the recommended practice 1670 (Carriage of Cargo using Electronic Data Interchange), the
recommended practice 1672 (Cargo-Fact/Cargo-IMP Message Standards) and the
Send the Air Send the Air recommended practice 1675 (Cargo-XML Message Standards)
Waybill message Waybill message

The table below describes the different messages as per the 2 IATA message
standards – Cargo-IMP and Cargo-XML:

Send status update Send status update

Freight messages Airlines messages Ground Message type Cargo-XML Cargo-IMP
Forwarders Handlers

Air Waybill message XFWB FWB

Status Update message XFSU FSU

(Freight on Hand - FOH, Ready for Carriage - RCS)

Required capability FF AL GHA

Error message XFNM FNA
Send Air Waybill message
Receive Air Waybill message
Message Acknowledgment XFNM FMA
Send Status Update message
Receive Status Update message recommended
Cargo-IMP message standard is no longer maintained since 2014. IATA recommends to use
Produce Cargo Receipts for FF
standard IATA Cargo-XML to exchange electronic information along the air freight supply chain
Archive electronic messages as the alternative to IATA Standard Cargo-IMP
Print on-demand AWB information if need be For more information, please visit: www.iata.org/cargo-xml

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 Step 2 / The industry can support you
Our IATA Strategic Partners can support you to implement your e-AWB capability

The details of our IATA Strategic Partners profile and areas of expertise are available at https://www.iata.org/about/sp/Pages/partners-directory.aspx

Please filter “Area of Involvement” to Cargo Electronic Messaging

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 Step 3 /
Ensure high-quality electronic
messages

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 Step 3 / Understand the quality issues
Ensuring the high quality of the electronic message is a key enabler
toward a full paperless process. The main causes of quality issues are:

Invalid or missing data

Message syntax error

Cargo system not configured properly (message integration, print

layout)

Message not sent in time

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 Step 3 / Improve the message quality
To address the main quality issues the following best practices are encouraged:

Build phase Run phase

• Start the roll-out with a pilot • Perform FNA/XFNM analysis as a basis for
• Define test cases based on real life shipment the root cause analysis
to ensure all the mapping tables are properly • Monitor the message arrival time to ensure
configured message arrive on time
• Test the message integration in the systems • Automate the sending process to avoid late
to avoid message rejection message due to human error
• Perform FNA/XFNM analysis as a basis for • Airlines and Freight forwarders to work
the root cause analysis closely to address message content
• Print and compare the results to identify issues and define the appropriate action
truncated information issues plan

IATA offers you to validate your Cargo XML message for free Join the IATA Message Improvement Program (MIP) to have access to
your free monthly messaging quality reports – Note that they are focus on
the technical quality of the message and not on the content
For more info, please visit: cargo-xml-autocheck For more info, please visit: MIP

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 Step 4 /
Ensure business processes are set

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 Step 4 / Ensure business processes are set
Review your business processes, together with your business partners, to makes sure they are adapted
to the new paperless way of operating

1 2 3 4
Agree on a Comply with the
Airline to active
Engage with Standard Standard
Freight Forwarder
your business Business Operating
as per the MeA
partners Processes. Think Procedures (SOP)
process
Single process where applicable

The SOP describes the operational steps that stakeholders of the air cargo supply chain need to follow
when shipping air cargo in compliance with the e-AWB functional specifications

The list of applicable SOP are available at: https://www.iata.org/en/programs/cargo/e/eawb/eawb360/

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 Step 4 / A full paperless air cargo process
The below chart presents a simplified view of a paperless air cargo process using the main e-AWB messages

Request
booking with
shipment
information
and security
Shipper details Plan
shipment
and confirm
booking Pickup Transmit
freight and AWB data to
prepare carrier
shipment for
export
Freight
Forwarder FFR FWB

Receive Perform Accept Prepare Transmit AWB Arrive flight, Check-in Hand over
shipment shipment shipment as shipment for data to GHA unload and shipment shipment to
from Freight acceptance Ready for transport, and dispatch Freight
Forwarder checks Carriage load and authorities shipment to Forwarder
FFA depart where applies warehouse
Airline BKD FOH RCS FHL / FFM / FWB

Cargo iQ Members initially developed the Master Operating Plan (MOP) to support implementation of quality management processes and metrics. The
MOP describes the key processes and sub-processes involved in transporting air cargo from shipper to consignee in a systematic and harmonized
manner.
For more information, please visit: MOP

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 Step 4 / Why do we need a Single process?
The use of e-AWB is regulated by international treaties (MP4/MC99) and/or local laws
e-AWB is only authorized on feasible trade lanes. Outside of this regulatory framework, the use of paper AWB is still required. However, even
within the right regulatory framework, paper AWB might be required by local authorities

? Single
process
? ?
With the Single process, the
Freight Forwarder does not
need to face these
questions. It always sends
? an e-AWB to the Airline and
the cargo is accepted
without paper AWB,
regardless of the trade lane. If

?
required, the paper AWB can
• Is it a feasible trade lane? be printed by the Airline or
• In case of a feasible trade lane, do the the Ground Handler
local authorities require paper AWB?
Freight
Forwarder

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 Step 4 / How does the Single process work?
Regardless of the trade lane, the Freight Forwarder always sends an e-AWB to the Airline

ECC
Electronic
NO contract

Is a

Send e-AWB
(EAW / EAP)
? paper AWB
required?

Print paper AWB

YES based on XFWB/FWB
Freight Airlines Ground message
ECP
Forwarders Handlers

Freight Forwarder sends a Based on the trade lane and the local ECC: If paper AWB is not required, the AWB
XFWB/FWB message to Airline authorities procedures, Airline or is electronic and all the required information is
and delivers the Cargo without Ground Handler determines whether a in the system
paper AWB, regardless of the paper AWB is required ECP: If paper AWB is required, Airline or
trade lane Ground Handler prints the paper AWB on
behalf of Freight Forwarder
Note: this can be done either at Origin, Transit or Destination

In any case, the Freight Forwarder delivers the Cargo without paper AWB. All required information is sent through the XFWB/FWB message

e-AWB Special Handling Codes at a glance: https://www.iata.org/eawb-special-codes.pdf

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 Step 5 /
Roll out e-AWB

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 Step 5 / Define your e-AWB roll out strategy
Once your organization is ready from both the business processes and
the IT perspective, you will need to define your e-AWB roll out strategy.
Some area you may consider:

• Pilot vs Big Bang Airlines, don’t forget to

activate your Freight
Forwarders in
• Home location vs remote locations Matchmaker

• High potential airports across several countries vs all airports

within one country

• By freight forwarders / By airlines

To help the industry accelerate e-AWB adoption, IATA launched eAWB360, an

industry call-to-action initiative, consisting of series of coordinated industry
communication and engagement activities aimed at encouraging airlines, freight
forwarders and ground handlers to adopt e-AWB

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 Step 6 /
Report e-AWB shipments

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 Step 6 / Report e-AWB shipments
Participating Airlines can report e-AWB shipments through the Message Improvement Program (MIP)

CCS Airlines

FWB Detailed Data CSV CCS FWB Detailed Data

Industry reports
file data CSV file

CCS FHL Detailed Data Airline reports

FHL Detailed Data CSV file data CSV file

Forwarder reports

Optional To be received by Reports to be

IATA by the 15th of distributed by the 20th
the month of the month

The detail of the data flow and file specification is documented in the e-Freight MIP Strategy document. This document is available at:
http://www.iata.org/whatwedo/cargo/e/Documents/e-freight-mip-strategy.pdf

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 e-AWB
How do we implement it?

Wrap up

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 e-AWB implementation - Wrap up
1. Join the Multilateral e-AWB Agreement 4. Ensure business processes are set

❑ Start your journey on www.iata.org/eawb-multilateral to join the Multilateral e- ❑ Engage with your business partners
AWB Agreement
❑ Agree on a standard business processes and think Single process
❑ Comply with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) where applicable. The
list of applicable SOP are available at: https://www.iata.org/eawb_global_sop

2. Ensure your technology supports e-AWB 5. Roll out e-AWB

❑ Ensure your organization is capable of sending and receiving Cargo-XML or ❑ Define your e-AWB roll out strategy
Cargo-IMP messages
❑ Airlines to activate Freight Forwarders in Matchmaker

3. Ensure high-quality electronic messages 6. Report e-AWB shipments

❑ Ensure your system produce high quality messages ❑ Report your e-AWB shipments through the Message Improvement Program
(MIP)
❑ Validate your Cargo XML message for free on http://www.iata.org/cargo-xml-
autocheck ❑ Details on http://www.iata.org/whatwedo/cargo/e/Documents/e-freight-mip-
strategy.pdf
❑ Join the Message Improvement Program (MIP) on http://www.iata.org/MIP

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 THANK YOU

Website efreight Cargo Tracker Twitter

iata.org/cargo [email protected] iata.org/optin twitter.com/iata

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