# Air Cargo Agent

*Last updated: 2026-06-26*

> An Air Cargo Agent is a person or company authorized by an airline to accept, process, and prepare cargo shipments for carriage on its behalf.

An Air Cargo Agent is a person or company authorized by an airline to accept, process, and prepare cargo shipments for carriage on its behalf. The agent verifies airway bills and dangerous goods documentation, coordinates handover to ground handling, and manages export customs formalities at the departure airport. Unlike a freight forwarder – who acts on behalf of the shipper – an air cargo agent represents the carrier's interests, though dual accreditation allowing both roles simultaneously is common in practice. IATA accreditation is the standard industry requirement for this function.

**Source:** [https://www.iata.org/en/programs/cargo/agents/](https://www.iata.org/en/programs/cargo/agents/)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | Air Cargo Agent |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 90 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-26 |
| Source | https://www.iata.org/en/programs/cargo/agents/ |

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