The Airforwarders Association (AfA) is calling on freight forwarders to take a closer look at their contracts after changes to IATA’s Direct Air Waybill (DAWB) framework came into force on 1 July.
While the new framework is intended to update the contractual relationship between airlines, shippers and freight forwarders, the association fears it could also place a heavier legal burden on forwarders than many realise.
According to AfA, freight forwarders could end up being held responsible for problems such as cargo misdeclarations, undeclared dangerous goods or packaging failures—even though they are not the ones preparing or owning the cargo.
For the association, that’s where the main concern lies.
“Freight forwarders should not be expected to assume liability for cargo they neither own, pack nor control,” said Brandon Fried, Executive Director of the Airforwarders Association.
He believes the revised framework risks shifting responsibility away from the party that actually creates the risk and onto freight forwarders, whose role in the supply chain has not fundamentally changed. According to Fried, that could lead to significant legal, operational and insurance consequences for companies across the industry.
Rather than waiting to see how the new rules are interpreted, AfA is encouraging its members to act now.
The association recommends that freight forwarders ask every airline they work with to confirm, in writing, which contractual framework will apply before they hand over any cargo. It is also advising companies to speak with their insurance providers to ensure their current liability policies still offer the right level of protection.
Fried warned that many businesses may wrongly assume their existing insurance will automatically cover any additional liabilities created by the new framework.
In reality, forwarder liability insurance is generally designed around the services freight forwarders actually provide—not around taking on responsibilities that have traditionally belonged to shippers. He said this is particularly important for small and medium-sized forwarding companies, which could be more exposed if their contracts or insurance no longer match the risks they face.
AfA is also worried that airlines may not all adopt the revised framework in the same way.
If different carriers apply different contractual terms, freight forwarders operating across several airline networks could find themselves dealing with a patchwork of rules instead of one consistent approach. For that reason, the association says written confirmation from each airline will be essential.
Despite its concerns, AfA stressed that it fully supports efforts to improve air cargo safety, including measures designed to reduce the risks associated with dangerous goods.
However, the association believes that changes affecting legal responsibility should only be introduced after meaningful consultation with the industry and with clear guidance on how they will work in practice.
For now, AfA’s advice is simple: don’t assume anything. Review your contracts, check your insurance and make sure you fully understand where responsibility lies before moving cargo under the new IATA framework.
