The International Air Transport Association (IATA) Cargo-XML messaging standard will be utilised by the US Customs and Border Protection Agency (US-CBP) to collect advance cross-border data on US export shipments.

The format makes electronic communication between the US-CBP’s Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) system, airlines and other air cargo stakeholders simpler and more efficient. IATA says it will facilitate growth in trade, ensure cargo security, and improve participation in global commerce through advance electronic data submission for cargo shipments.

IATA senior vice president for airport, passenger, cargo and security, Nick Careen says: “Airlines, freight-forwarders, shippers and border agencies share the common goals of simplifying processes, enhancing efficiency and maximising safety and security. The key to achieving this is industry collaboration and standardisation on a global scale.”

“Having support for Cargo-XML from the US-CBP, one of the world’s largest federal law enforcement agencies, will positively contribute towards the industry achieving its objective – the global adoption of a standard air cargo messaging system.”

Utilising the new standards will begin within the next few months and the US-CBP is working to reduce the number of Electronic Data Interchange message formats supported to process international import, export cargo and cargo release information.