However, a critical distinction must be made upfront: Today, they serve more as a reference benchmark than a transactional price list.
Overview The International Air Transport Association (IATA) publishes the "TACT Rules" (The Air Cargo Tariff and Rules), which historically formed the bedrock of global airfreight pricing. In essence, IATA freight rates are the published , standard tariff for moving cargo between any two airports on IATA-member airlines (e.g., Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific). iata freight rate
| Feature | IATA Rate | Forwarder Contract Rate | Digital Spot Rate | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | High (list) | Low–Medium | Medium | | Surcharges | Separate, complex | Often all-inclusive | All-inclusive | | Validity | Monthly (static) | 6-12 months | Real-time / 24h | | Best for | Legal baseline, niche SCRs | Regular volume | One-off, SMEs | | Access | Paid subscription (TACT) | Free via forwarder | Free via platforms | However, a critical distinction must be made upfront: