air-cargo

US Airforwarders Association Warns of Liability Shift Under New IATA Framework

The US Airforwarders Association has cautioned freight forwarders to revisit airline contracts and insurance policies. IATA's revised Direct Air Waybill framework, which took effect July 1, could transfer traditional shipper obligations to forwarders, including responsibility for cargo misdeclarations, concealed dangerous goods, and packaging failures. Brandon Fried, AfA executive director, cautioned that forwarders risk assuming liability for cargo they neither own, pack, nor control. The association urges members to obtain written confirmation from each airline on which contractual terms will govern their shipments before tendering cargo. Forwarders must also consult insurers to verify existing liability policies adequately address the revised framework. The AfA warns smaller and mid-sized operators face particular risk, as insurance coverage was designed around traditional forwarding services rather than shipper liability assumption. Implementation inconsistencies across carriers compound concerns.