CASS

CASS (Cargo Accounts Settlement System) is an IATA-operated financial settlement system designed to simplify the billing and settling of accounts between airlines and freight forwarders. The system enables freight forwarders to receive a single consolidated invoice covering all their freight charges across participating airlines and make just one simplified payment. CASSLink, IATA's invoicing platform, operates in 97 CASS operations worldwide, serving over 20,000 airlines, general sales & service agents, ground handling companies and freight forwarders in more than 90 countries. The system processes over $50 billion in global sales annually with a 100% collection and settlement rate.

A freight forwarder in Germany books shipments on Lufthansa Cargo (AWB prefix 020), Emirates SkyCargo (176), and KLM Cargo (074) in the same billing period. Instead of receiving three separate invoices and making three individual payments, CASS consolidates all charges into a single invoice through CASSLink. The forwarder makes one electronic payment to IATA's CASS office, which then distributes the appropriate amounts to each carrier.

• Cargo Accounts Settlement System
• CASS billing
• IATA CASS

What are the entry fees to join CASS as an airline?

Entry fees are $2,500 for IATA member airlines and $3,500 for non-member airlines or General Sales Agents. All other operational costs are shared equally based on the respective volumes airlines process through the system.

How quickly are CASS transactions processed after data submission?

Transactions are processed daily within 24 hours of data submission. Settlement between agents, CASS and airlines operates through electronic funds transfer, eliminating the need for legacy checks.