FIATA - International Federation of Forwarding Associations

Role and Objectives

FIATA, the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations, represents an industry of thousands of forwarding and logistics firms, employing millions of dedicated people in 150 countries. FIATA has consultative status with world forums such as the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL).

It is recognised as representing the freight forwarding industry by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the International Union of Railways (UIC), the International Road Transport Union (IRU), the World Customs Organization (WCO), the World Trade Organization (WTO), and other influential bodies.

Visit FIATA's website

Its major objectives are to:

• unite the freight forwarding industry worldwide
• represent, promote and protect the interests of the industry by participating as advisors or experts in meetings of international bodies dealing with transportation
• familiarise trade and industry and the public at large with the services rendered by forwarders through the dissemination of information
• improve the quality of services rendered by forwarders by developing and promoting uniform forwarding documents, and trading conditions
• assist with vocational training, liability insurance problems, and tools for electronic commerce, e.g. EDI and barcodes.

FIATA Membership

With FIATA being an Association of Freight Forwarding Associations, it is not surprising that, in the South African context, SAAFF is the FIATA member. We are known as an ordinary (association) member, that represents the entire forwarding sector of a country. An ordinary member holds the right to present motions, make nominations and vote.

Another category of member is the individual member, who is simply a forwarding and logistics enterprise. To be entitled to be an individual member of FIATA, a company must be a member of the country's ordinary/association member.

Benefits of Individual Membership

The benefits can be viewed on the FIATA website but in brief, they include:

• FIATA publications such as the Legal Handbook on Forwarding at special rates
• Listing in the Members Directory on the internet, with advertising possibilities
• Use of the FIATA Logo
• Introduction to legal experts experienced in forwarding matters
• FIATA's "arbitration court" to deal with disputes between forwarders
• The informative and regular FIATA Review publication

Application forms may be downloaded from the FIATA website and must be countersigned by SAAFF.

Apply for FIATA's membership

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