Welcome

to the Cargo Agency Commissioner Site

About the Role of the Commissioner Office

The role of the Commissioner/Ombudsman is to act as an independent arbitrator in disputes arising out of the Cargo Agency Programme between an IATA Accredited Agent/Freight Forwarder, CASS Associates or an Applicant and IATA.

The Commissioner/Ombudsman may also adjudicate exceptional reviews consented to by IATA Accredited Agents/Freight Forwarders, CASS Associates or an Applicant, and any CASS Participating Airline.

This site describes the authority, powers and procedures of the Cargo Agency Commissioner.

Some of our activities are:
• Carry-out reviews
• Conduct oral hearings
• Prepare an Annual Report
• Provide commentary and feedback on the efficacy of the Agency Programme to the stakeholders

Background

The Office of Cargo Agency Commissioner was set up in 1992. At the time there were 5.700 or so IATA registered Cargo Agents outside the USA and 18 active CASS operations which processed just under USD 5 billion in airfreight sales that year. The IATA Cargo Agency Conference determined that among the checks and balances necessary, in support of the fiduciary discipline essential to the success of the IATA sales intermediary accreditation system and, particularly of CASS, there should be a neutral, accessible and cost-effective machinery to adjudicate expeditiously on the inevitable aberrations exposed during the operation of such a large-scale enterprise.

The Office has now served the industry continuously for almost thirty years during which time it has dealt with over a thousand reviews. Its work has expanded with the growth and evolving sophistication of the airfreight sector. Today, it serves 16,800 IATA registered Cargo Intermediaries who, in 2020, reported and remitted USD 32.7 billion through CASS. CASS operations now embrace the globe, with the exception of the USA where the CNS Corporation, an IATA subsidiary, manages a separate and parallel system. The on-time settlement rate through CASS in 2022 was 100.00%.

Geographical Scope of the Office

In most countries the office holder is called the Cargo Agency Commissioner; however, in EU/ECAA member countries and in Latin American and the Caribbean countries where tailored IATA/FIATA Air Cargo Programmes are in place, the title used for the office holder is Ombudsman. The task, however, is essentially the same.

The Cargo Agency Commissioners’ Office is an​ independent worldwide service of dispute resolution provided to Cargo Agents, Freight Forwarders, CASS Associates, Airlines and the International Air Transport Association (IATA), offered in cooperation between the cargo industry, through the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations(FIATA), through IATA.

Our activity is funded equally by IATA Accredited Agents, Freight Forwarders, CASS Associates and IATA Member Airlines

Important References

IATA Cargo Agent Handbook

The Cargo Agent’s Handbook (CAH) is a binding document for all IATA Accredited Agents, Freight Forwarders and CASS Associates, it provides Agents and any interested applicants useful information such as:

  • The main requirements for IATA Accreditation and Appointment
  • The most important Cargo Agency Conference Resolutions that are applicable to their participation in the Cargo Programme.
  • Local Financial Criteria that is applicable, by country

Local Financial Criteria
​All Local Financial Criteria can be found in the Handbook.

Compliance Tips

Appoint an individual within the company to oversee and monitor the correct application of the Cargo Agency Rules and Resolutions. Appointee must be knowledgeable with all ongoing requirements to maintain the IATA Cargo Agency Accreditation, including:

  • Submission of annual audited financials
  • Updating change of status on the portal, which includes change of address, shareholding, key contacts, or portal administrator. All changes must be communicated to IATA prior to it taking effect.

Dangerous Goods Certification compliance:

  • Each head office must maintain a minimum of 2 staff with valid DGR certificates
  • Include letters of endorsement from DGR Training Institutions, where applicable following the current Cargo Agency Resolutions
  • Book DGR training courses well in advance of DGR certificate expiry and ensure the level of training is compliant with the Cargo Agency Resolutions
  • Submit through the IATA Customer Portal new DGR certificates prior to the date of expiry of any current DGR certificates

Where a Notice of Termination has been issued, any appeals to the Cargo Agency Commissioner must be initiated before the termination date.

When submitting an appeal to the Cargo Agency Commissioner, ensure all relevant correspondence is included along with the IATA Agent’s code where applicable, including full contact details and role of the appellant within the company.

Contact