Air Cargo
Key documents and organizations
- IATA (International Air Transport Association): The international association of airlines; it sets air cargo standards, the AWB format, the dangerous goods rules (DGR) and agent accreditation.
- AWB (Air Waybill): Evidence of the contract of air carriage and a receipt for the goods. Unlike a bill of lading, it is not a document of title and is non-negotiable; the goods are delivered to the consignee named on the AWB.
- MAWB (Master AWB): Issued by the airline to the forwarder (consolidator); covers the entire consolidated shipment.
- HAWB (House AWB): Issued by the forwarder to each actual shipper.
- e-AWB: Paperless electronic AWB; being promoted by IATA.
Chargeable Weight
- Freight is calculated on whichever is greater: the actual gross weight or the volumetric weight.
- The IATA standard ratio is 1:6000:
Volumetric weight (kg) = Length (cm) × Width (cm) × Height (cm) / 6.000 - This means 1 m³ ≈ 166,67 kg.
- Express courier companies (DHL, FedEx, UPS, etc.) mostly use a /5.000 divisor (1 m³ ≈ 200 kg).
- Example: A 120 × 80 × 100 cm package weighing 90 kg → volumetric = 960.000 / 6.000 = 160 kg → chargeable weight 160 kg.
ULD (Unit Load Device)
| ULD | Type | Approximate base dimensions | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| LD3 (AKE) | Lower-deck container | 156 × 153 cm base, ~163 cm height | Wide-body aircraft; ~4,3–4,5 m³; max. gross ~1.588 kg |
| LD7 (e.g. PAG/P1P, 88 × 125 in) | Pallet / contoured pallet | 224 × 318 cm | Lower and main deck; contour height varies by aircraft |
| PMC (P6P, 96 × 125 in) | Pallet | 244 × 318 cm | Main-deck pallet; max. gross ~6.800 kg (depending on position) |
The choice of ULD depends on the aircraft type (passenger aircraft lower deck / freighter main deck); height and contour limits should be confirmed with the airline.
Dangerous goods (DGR – Dangerous Goods Regulations)
- The IATA DGR are based on the ICAO Technical Instructions, and a new edition is published every year.
- Items such as lithium batteries, perfume/alcohol-containing products, aerosols, paints and magnetized products may fall within the scope of dangerous goods.
- The shipper must issue a Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods, use appropriate UN packaging, apply labels and markings, and have these tasks carried out by DGR-trained staff. Undeclared dangerous goods lead to heavy penalties and safety risks.
Service types and transit times (typical)
| Service | Description | Typical transit |
|---|---|---|
| Express (courier) | Door-to-door, integrated carrier; small and urgent shipments | 1–4 business days |
| General cargo | By airline via a forwarder; airport-to-airport + pre-/on-carriage | 2–7 days (including transshipment and customs) |
| Consolidation | The forwarder combines cargo from several shippers under a single MAWB; more economical | May take 1–3 days longer than general cargo |
| Charter | All or part of the aircraft is chartered; project, urgent and high-volume cargo | On request |
The role of the forwarder
The freight forwarder books space with the airline, consolidates cargo, issues the HAWB, coordinates export customs formalities (with a customs broker), and manages security screening, packaging, insurance and delivery at destination. In Türkiye, many forwarders are IATA agents and work directly with the airlines.
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Sources
- ICC – Incoterms® 2020: https://iccwbo.org/business-solutions/incoterms-rules/incoterms-2020/
- ICC – Incoterms rules history and overview: https://iccwbo.org/business-solutions/incoterms-rules/
- ICC – UCP 600 / Documentary credits: https://iccwbo.org/business-solutions/trade-finance/
- Hapag-Lloyd – Container Specification (PDF): https://www.hapag-lloyd.com/content/dam/website/downloads/press_and_media/publications/15211_Container_Specification_engl_Gesamt_web.pdf
- Hapag-Lloyd – 40' Standard High Cube: https://www.hapag-lloyd.com/en/services-information/cargo-fleet/container/40-standard-high-cube.html
- Hapag-Lloyd – 40' Standard: https://www.hapag-lloyd.com/en/services-information/cargo-fleet/container/40-standard.html
- Hapag-Lloyd – 40' Flatrack: https://www.hapag-lloyd.com/en/services-information/cargo-fleet/container/40-flatrack-high-cube.html
- Hapag-Lloyd – 40' Open Top: https://www.hapag-lloyd.com/en/services-information/cargo-fleet/container/40-open-top-high-cube.html
- ISO 668 – Series 1 freight containers: https://www.iso.org/standard/76912.html
- IMO – SOLAS Verified Gross Mass: https://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Safety/Pages/Verification-of-the-gross-mass.aspx
- IATA – Air Cargo / e-AWB / ULD: https://www.iata.org/en/programs/cargo/
- IATA – Dangerous Goods Regulations: https://www.iata.org/en/publications/dgr/
- IPPC – ISPM 15: https://www.ippc.int/en/publications/640/
- EPAL – Euro pallet specifications: https://www.epal-pallets.org/
- EU Directive 96/53/EC (vehicle weights and dimensions): https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX:31996L0053
- UNECE – CMR Convention: https://unece.org/transport/road-transport
- IRU – TIR system: https://www.iru.org/what-we-do/facilitating-trade-and-transit/tir
- TOBB – TIR and ATA carnets: https://www.tobb.org.tr/
- Kuehne+Nagel – Incoterms 2020 overview: https://www.kuehne-nagel.com/us/how-to/customs-clearance/incoterms
- Wikipedia – Incoterms (for general cross-checking): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incoterms