The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released its second edition of the Cargo-XML Manual and Toolkit, providing Cargo-XML standards for the electronic exchange of information that replace traditional Cargo-IMP for the air cargo industry.

The toolkit provides electronic message standards that ensure uniformity, clarity, accuracy and economy in electronic data exchanges.

The new Cargo-XML standards are multimodal and cross-border and are based on UN/CEFACT standards and referencing the World Customs Organization (WCO) Data Model elements.

The key benefits of Cargo-XML-based standards include:
•Facilitating implementation of the e-Air Waybill (e-AWB), e-Freight, Electronic Cargo Security Declaration (e-CSD) and Advance Electronic Information (AEI)
•Providing business rules that improve efficiency and compliance with regulations
•Improving data quality and response times to changing requirements
•Promoting the use of a common, universally accepted standard in the supply chain
•Compatibility with the standards of other industry bodies, such as the WCO
•Greater participation of small and medium-sized enterprises throughout the logistics chain owing to significantly reduced costs of developing, maintaining and using electronic communications

“As a replacement to legacy standards, Cargo-XML will revolutionize air cargo electronic messaging, bringing sustained benefits to the air cargo industry over time,” said Des Vertannes, IATA’s global head of cargo.

IATA represents some 240 airlines comprising 84 per cent of global air traffic.-TradeArabia News Service