The first airline to offer real-time customs clearance status via the IATA ONE registry

• Cathay Cargo has become the first airline to offer real-time customs clearance updates via the EzyCargo platform and ONE Record API, giving customers real-time visibility into shipments.
• The system communicates directly with customs authorities across Europe, the United States, Canada and the United Arab Emirates, and displays live clearance, inspection and release statuses.
• Powered by the Global Logistics System (GLS), this innovation enhances transparency, reduces delays and represents a key step in Cathay Cargo’s digital transformation strategy.

Cathay Cargo has become the first airline to offer real-time customs clearance updates to customers who subscribe to the EzyCargo platform, or those who already have ONE Record API links to the airline system, providing greater visibility and efficiency of the air cargo journey.

This important new development is based on the IATA ONE Record data protocol, and adds customs authorities as an additional air freight contributor to Cathay Cargo’s real-time communications with customers.

Many customs authorities require PLACI (Pre-Loading Advanced Shipping Information), and shipments can only be loaded after the destination customs authority gives the green light. Likewise, most authorities require another layer of approval before releasing shipments after they arrive. Now, customers will see this process through live messages in real time.

The current scope of the new initiative will grant users clearance status from customs authorities including Europe (ICS2 Import Control System), the US, Canada and the UAE. Cases will be treated as a single “logistics event” record so customers know whether or not their shipment is still on hold, under evaluation, cleared for loading, and at destination if the shipment is being held for inspection or released for assembly.

Previously, access to this information relied on manual updates from ground handling agents. The ability to access these updates independently and in real-time enables customers to take any appropriate remedial actions, or overcome delays caused by customs inspections.

EzyCustoms and EzyCargo are part of the EzyCargo range of air cargo tools designed by Cathay Cargo’s innovation partner, Global Logistics System (Hong Kong) Limited Company (GLS)which has also designed other digital projects for the carrier’s commercial and operational settings, including Click and shipCathay Cargo’s online booking platform.

James Evans, Cathay’s General Manager Commercial Cargo, said this new integration demonstrated Cathay Cargo’s continued commitment to the ongoing digitization of the air cargo freight process. “At Cathay Cargo, we recognize the importance of encouraging the participation of all air cargo industry stakeholders in the IATA ONE registry, to increase transparency and data connectivity for air cargo,” he said.

“Being able to see live updates from customs authorities adds another layer of transparency to the digital freight journey. This extended integration of ONE Record is currently available to Cathay Cargo customers subscribed to the EzyCargo platform, but this additional visibility will be integrated into the Cathay Cargo website for registered account holders in 2026.”

2Simon Ng, CEO of GLS, added: “By leveraging the EzyCargo platform powered by the ONE registry, Cathay Cargo’s forwarder partners can now access real-time customs clearance status the moment it is released by Customs to airlines. This reduces potential message relay delays from GHAs, and enhances the operational efficiency of both our airline partners.” And shipping agents.”