To:	All Members - Nationwide
Date:	29 August 2003
Subject:	Responsibility of Charges for Master Airway Bill Stock issued to your Company

Dear Sir/Madam,

We wish to bring to your attention concerns raised with AFIF representatives at a recent IATA Cargo Executive Council meeting. The issue involves a situation where an IATA accredited 'Agent'  allows Airline Master Air Waybill (MAWB) stock, as allocated by a particular carrier, to be used by another Forwarder/Agent (who may or may not be IATA accredited.)

It is the IATA accredited agent, whose number appears on the airway bill, who will be responsible for all charges for shipments consigned under that number. Therefore, should another Forwarder use an IATA accredited agent's Master air waybill stock and not be in a position to pay, it is the accredited agent who will still be responsible for all charges in regard to each shipment.

We are certain that you would not condone such practice because of the inherent dangers, however, it may well be the case that it is difficult for you, as the chief executive, to be aware of each individual situation that might occur within your operations department. We therefore encourage you to check and ascertain to make sure that your company could not be exposed in this way.

Whilst the practice of handing out MAWB stocks, whereby another Forwarder would also use your IATA accreditation number is not as common as it used to be, however it is of sufficient concern to warrant a timely reminder to all our members.

We thank you for your understanding of this concern.