Understanding Air IGM: How It Works in Air Cargo Imports

Key Takeaways

• Air IGM records details of cargo arriving in India by air.
• Airlines or their authorised representatives file the manifest with customs.
• It includes flight details, air waybills, consignor and consignee information, and cargo details.
• Air IGM status can be checked through the ICEGATE portal.
• Accurate filing helps prevent documentation errors and customs clearance delays.
• Air IGM may support Marine Cargo Insurance claims by helping verify shipment details.

What Is Air IGM?

Air IGM stands for Air Import General Manifest. It is a declaration made to Indian Customs by the carrier (airline or their authorised representative) of details of goods imported on an aircraft. The manifest contains information about the cargo that a party brings into the country and allows customs authorities to process the import. Air IGM details include:

• Flight number and date
• Master Air Waybill (MAWB) number
• House Air Waybill (HAWB) details, where applicable
• Consignor and consignee data
• Description of the cargo
• Number of packages and shipment weight
• Origin and destination airport locations
• Relevant cargo-handling information

The Air IGM differs from the Bill of Entry. The carrier submits the manifest to declare the consignment, whereas the importer or their customs broker generally submits the Bill of Entry to customs authorities to identify and assess the imported goods to clear them into the destination country.

Why Is Air IGM Important in International Trade?

Air IGM is integral to the transportation of international cargo as it provides customs authorities with details of the consignment. Its significance can be understood as follows:

1. Supports Customs Clearance

Customs authorities use the information in manifests to identify the type of goods that the aircraft carries. They use the details to associate the cargo with the relevant Bill of Entry to process the import.

2. Helps Identify and Verify Cargo

The manifest provides the necessary information for identifying the cargo. It includes the details of the air waybill, description of the consignment and the packaging information.

3. Enables Shipment Tracking

Importers and their customs agent can track the status of their manifest entries via ICEGATE. They are one of the many ways that a party involved in a shipment can track the progress of the cargo.

4. Helps Maintain Regulatory Compliance

The carrier is responsible for completing all applicable customs requirements. Submitting the required entry in the manifest within the stipulated timelines helps ensure compliance with customs regulations.

5. Supports Cargo Documentation and Claims

In cases of damaged, lost cargo or shortage, the manifest serves as one of the documents that the carrier or importer can use to address the issue. However, an Air IGM does not confirm responsibility or the settlement of insurance claims.

What Is the Air IGM Filing Process?

The Air IGM filing process generally involves collecting shipment details, preparing the manifest, submitting it to customs and correcting discrepancies where necessary.

Step 1: Collect Shipment Information

The airline or responsible carrier gathers the relevant cargo information from the shipment documentation. This may include master and house air waybills, package counts, weights, cargo descriptions and consignor and consignee details.

Step 2: Prepare the Manifest

The information for the consignments carried on the flight is compiled into the applicable manifest format. The carrier must ensure that the information is consistent with the underlying shipping documents.

Step 3: Submit the Air IGM to Customs

The carrier or its authorised representative submits the manifest to Indian Customs through the prescribed electronic process. Under applicable customs requirements, the manifest must be furnished before the aircraft arrives at the customs station.

Step 4: Check the Filing Status

After submission, the relevant parties can check the status of the Air IGM through the available ICEGATE enquiry facilities. Any errors or discrepancies should be investigated promptly.

Step 5: Correct Errors Where Required

If the filed information is incorrect or incomplete, an amendment may be required. The request must follow the applicable customs procedure, and approval may be necessary depending on the nature of the change.

Importers should coordinate with the airline, freight forwarder or customs broker to resolve discrepancies that affect their shipment.

How to Track Air IGM Status on ICEGATE

ICEGATE is the official Indian Customs website, which provides facilities for filing and enquiring about customs-related documents. It offers facilities for manifest inquiry and status check of Air IGM.

The following general instructions apply when inquiring:

1. Access the ICEGATE website: Open the official portal at www.icegate.gov.in.
2. Locate the relevant enquiry service: Choose the relevant Air IGM enquiry or document status facility.
3. Provide the necessary details: In most cases, you will be required to enter the Master Air Waybill number and the relevant customs location.
4. Submit the enquiry: Follow the instructions to obtain the relevant manifest information and status.
5. Check the result: If you find missing or incorrect information, contact the airline, authorised cargo agent or customs broker responsible for the shipment.

ICEGATE offers an Air IGM feature that lets you view manifests that have been reported in the past 24 hours at a particular customs location. The fields available may change, so make sure you follow the instructions on the portal.

Important: Air IGM should not be confused with the overall status of the shipment. In addition to the Air IGM, importers may also need to track their Bill of Entry, customs assessment, examination, and other clearances.

What Details Can Be Found in an Air IGM?

The information contained in an Air IGM enables customs to identify the cargo and link it to a particular flight and a corresponding consignor and consignee.

Depending on the format of the manifests and documents applicable in a particular case, other information may also be included.

What Is the Difference Between Air IGM and Bill of Entry?

Air IGM and Bill of Entry are documents related to international trade, but they serve different purposes and contain different information.

Both documents are important in the import process, and they are interconnected. However, they contain different information and must be treated as separate documents in the context of customs clearance of a particular shipment. In either case, it is important to make sure that all information has been correctly provided and that any discrepancies are resolved before submitting the documents to the customs officials.

Challenges in Filing Air IGM

Errors or delays in manifest processing can complicate the import process. Some common challenges include:

1. Incorrect Airway Bill Details

Incorrect or incomplete information relating to the Master Airway Bill or House Airway Bill can cause problems with reconciling the details of the manifested cargo with the actual goods being imported.

2. Inaccurate Cargo Information

Incorrect description of the goods, incorrect number of packages or weight stated can cause discrepancies that may need to be investigated.

3. Late Submission

Failure to meet the deadline for submission of the documents can disrupt the clearance process.

4. Amendment Requests

Amendments to any of the details provided in the initial Air IGM may be required. The necessary procedure should be followed to make any such changes, and additional documents or payments may be required, depending on the nature of the amendments.

5. Technical or Data-Validation Issues

Documents may contain incorrectly formatted data or miss any of the required fields. The submitter should make sure that all required fields have been filled out correctly and that they comply with the prescribed format, and take appropriate action if any errors are raised.

How Does Air IGM Relate to Marine Insurance?

Though it is essentially a customs manifest, the Air IGM data might also be needed for the insurance documents, as Marine Insurance can cover any eligible cargo while in transit by air, sea, road or rail (subject to policy terms and the coverage area of the insurer). The documents pertaining to the shipment, such as Air IGM, air waybill, commercial invoice, packing list and the reports on delivery or damages, may be used as proof of the cargo that was shipped.

Conclusion

The Air IGM, or the Air Import General Manifest, is a vital part of the documentation for any company importing goods via air in India. It contains the necessary data about the cargo and its shipment for the customs officials in order to clear the goods for entry into the country.

Becoming familiar with the process of filing the IGM, checking the manifest status via the ICEGATE website and eliminating any discrepancies before they are brought to the attention of the customs officials will help the business build better relationships with the airlines, freight forwarders and customs brokers. Moreover, for companies that ship high-value goods across the globe, the precise and accurate records pertaining to the cargo and the shipment are crucial. They are a part of a reliable and effective Marine Cargo Insurance management and claims process, a procedure that is necessary for settling any claims in case of loss or damage to the goods in transit.