The Hong Kong-based carrier's new service eliminates reliance on manual ground-handling updates, enabling customers to track clearance status
Cathay Cargo is pioneering the use of real-time customs clearance updates for customers with ONE Record API links or those using its EzyCargo platform.
The airline said it was the first to introduce real-time clearance, which gives users customs status updates from authorities, including Europe (ICS2 Import Control System), the US, Canada and UAE.
The service uses the IATA ONE Record data protocol and adds customs authorities as an additional air cargo stakeholder into Cathay Cargo’s real-time communications with customers.
"The statuses will be treated as ONE Record Logistic Events so that customers know if their shipment is still pending, being assessed, is permitted to load or not, and at the destination if a shipment is being held for inspection or has been released for collection,” Cathay Cargo said.
The cargo business said that previously, accessing this information was reliant on manual updates from ground-handling agents.
"Being able to access these updates independently and in real-time enables customers to take any appropriate remedial actions, or to work around delays because of customs inspections,” the airline explained in a press release.
Cathay general manager cargo commercial James Evans added: "Being able to see live updates from customs authorities adds another layer of transparency to the digital cargo journey.
"This extended ONE Record integration is currently available to Cathay Cargo customers who are subscribed to the EzyCargo platform, but this additional visibility will be integrated into the Cathay Cargo website for registered account holders in 2026.”
EzyCustoms and EzyCargo are part of the EzyCargo suite of air cargo tools designed by Global Logistics System (HK).
The airline said the investment comes as an increasing number of customs authorities require pre-load advanced cargo information and shipments cannot be loaded until the destination customs authority has given the go-ahead.
"Similarly, most authorities require another approval layer before releasing shipments after arrival," the airline business said.
Cathay Cargo has been one of the main proponents of the One Record data protocol developed by IATA to provide a link between air cargo stakeholders.
Last year, the carrier became the first to adopt the IATA ONE Record data protocol in some of its day-to-day operations with forwarders.
Three freight forwarders on the Chinese Mainland – Sinotrans Air Freight, WECAN International Freight Forwarding International Logistics and ALL-LINK Logistics – started exchanging electronic air waybill (eAWB) and shipment status information with Cathay Cargo using an application programme interface (API) designed to ONE Record data protocols.
Meanwhile, Sinotrans Hong Kong Air Transportation Development became the first Hong Kong forwarder to submit eAWB information, enabling it to review shipment information from Cathay Cargo using ONE Record data protocols.
