Roles and Responsibilities of Stakeholders Involved in Air Cargo Shipping

Share via:

In air cargo shipping, several stakeholders are involved, each with their roles and responsibilities. Let's take a look at some of the key stakeholders and their typical responsibilities:

Shippers: Also known as consignors, shippers can be either individuals or organisations sending goods or cargo via air transportation. Some of their responsibilities include:

• Packaging of goods- One of the crucial responsibilities of a shipper is to pack the goods properly. The shipment should be easy to handle and reach the receiver in an acceptable form.
• Provide accurate and complete documents- Full documentation is essential for smooth transportation and easy clearance. Some of them include shipping instructions, invoices, and customs declarations.
• Declare the type of goods- To ensure compliance with security and safety requirements, declaring goods is of prime importance. 
• Coordination with carriers and forwarders- Consignors' other tasks include arranging transportation and coordinating with the air freight forwarders or carriers.

Freight Forwarders: The intermediaries or connecting party between the shippers and the airlines are the Freight Forwarders. Their responsibilities include:

• Assistance to Shippers- Freight Forwarders helps arrange necessary documents like bills of lading, customs forms and insurance documents.  
• Providing cost-effective rates- Optimising transportation routes to achieve cost-efficiency. 
• Providing information to the shipper- Freight Forwarder is responsible for providing tracking information to ensure smooth transit and timely delivery.
• Offering additional services like customs clearance, warehousing, and cargo insurance.

Airlines/Carriers: Airlines or carriers are responsible for transporting the cargo by air. Their responsibilities include:

• Ensuring the safety of goods- The airlines are responsible for timely and safe cargo delivery. Moreover, the airlines ensure compliance with security regulations.
• Cargo Handling- Handling includes loading and unloading at terminals.

Ground Handling Agents: Ground handlers' responsibilities include ground-based air cargo shipping activities. Some of them are as mentioned below: 

• Cargo Handling- The primary responsibilities include handling cargo at airports, including acceptance, inspection, and preparation for loading.
• Sorting out goods- The ground handlers focus on providing maximum capacity utilisation and adhering to safety rules and manuals. They also offer specialised services like temperature-controlled storage or dangerous goods handling.
• Coordinating with other stakeholders, such as carriers, shippers, and customs authorities.

Customs Authorities: Customs authorities play a crucial role in ensuring compliance with the rules and regulating the movement of goods across borders. Their responsibilities include:

• Ensuring complete documentation- The customs authorities inspect and verify documents required for transportation.
• Collecting customs duties, taxes, and fees.
• Verifying the accuracy of shipping information and classifying goods based on customs codes.
• Preventing the illegal import/export of goods and enforcing security measures.

Warehouse Operators: The central role of warehouse operators is handling and storing the goods in the appropriate environment. Their responsibilities include:

• Storing and inspecting the goods upon arrival. 
• Keeping the goods in a safe environment in the warehouse. 
• Managing inventory and order fulfillment processes.
• Providing value-added services such as labeling, sorting, or repackaging.

Regulatory Agencies: The regulatory bodies, like the aviation and transport department, enforce rules and regulations for safe and efficient air cargo transportation. Their responsibilities include:

• Developing, implementing, and updating transport policies and regulations. 
• Licensing and certifying carriers, forwarders, and other industry participants.
• Investigating incidents or accidents and taking appropriate actions.
• Providing guidance and support to stakeholders regarding regulatory requirements.

All the stakeholders function together, ensuring a smooth flow of goods throughout the transport chain, from the point of origin to the final destination, while adhering to legal and regulatory frameworks and meeting customer requirements.