User:FreightForwardwerFan/sandbox

Introduction
(After the table of contents and before “History and organisation”)

According to the Trade Facilitation Implementation Guide of the United Nations, a freight forwarder is a company that arranges commercial transportation for the cargo of other firms. The freight forwarder generally assumes responsibility for consignments until they reach their destinations, depending on the trade and transport terms agreed, such as the Incoterms from the International Chamber of Commerce.

Freight forwarding includes tasks such as:


 * deciding on the best route and conditions for physical transport,
 * booking consignments with the carriers,
 * handling the documentary requirements for goods in the various countries of the transport chain, and
 * monitoring the movement of consignments and obtaining and supplying tracing and tracking information for the client.

Source: https://tfig.unece.org/contents/freight-forwarding.htm

History and organisation
The current text will get more detailed information at a later stage when the first batch “facts and figures” is validated and published.

Mission and goals
(between “History and organisation” and “Documents”) As per FIATA Statutes, the purpose of FIATA is to act as an umbrella association for the national and regional associations of freight forwarders around the world and has the following objectives:


 * Unifying the transportation sector worldwide.
 * Representing, promoting, and protecting the sector’s business through work as advisors or experts during international transport companies’ gatherings.
 * Familiarising trade and industrial companies with forwarders’ services (spreading information, distributing publications).
 * Unifying and improving the quality of forwarders’ services (developing and popularising uniform shipping documents and standard trade conditions).
 * Assisting in training forwarders, dealing with difficulties with liability insurances, and eCommerce tools (electronic data interchange, barcodes).

Source:  https://www.shiphub.co/fiata/

Governance
(After « Mission »)

FIATA consists of the following organs: the General Meeting, the Presidency, the Extended Board, and the Auditors. According to the Statutes, the Presidency is charged under Statute 5.3.2 with the responsibility of the executive management of FIATA, and external representation of FIATA towards third parties, amongst other tasks. The Extended Board is tasked with advising the Presidency, accepting the Annual Report, and compiling the work program for the Institutes and Standing Committees.

The Headquarters Team, which is subdivided into several Business Units, is tasked with implementing the resolutions of the General Meeting and the Presidency, and operates under the direction of the Director General.

In 2020, the FIATA Headquarters moved from Zurich to Geneva.

Source: Organs - FIATA International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations

Benefits for FIATA Members
FIATA’s membership allows its members to:
 * Receive the FIATA Membership certificate
 * Use the FIATA logo on the company’s website, stationery, and email signature
 * Feature in the FIATA’s Members directory on the FIATA website
 * Receive the FIATA Review (published quarterly) and information through the weekly newsletter
 * Special rates for FIATA publications and articles
 * Networking opportunities between peers from around the world
 * Reduced transaction fees, flexible payments, and end-to-end encrypted transactions through the Freight-Pay online platform (are we allowed to add links here to the Freight-Pay website for example, or does that go against the spirit of Wikipedia?)

Sources: https://bifa.org/media/4642363/107635_fiata_membership_2021_v2.pdf ; FIATA and PayCargo launch Freight-Pay platform for members – Choice Aviation Services; PayCargo - Making online freight payments fast, easy and secure

Documents
(The current text can stay as it is but with a few lines added at the end regarding the eFBL as suggested below)

In March 2022, FIATA released the FIATA Multimodal Bill of Lading (eFBL) data standard. The data standard, a first fruit of the collaboration between FIATA and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), enables the exchange of BL data in a standardised way, facilitating interoperability between all modes of transport and industry stakeholders. Three other FIATA standard documents, the FWB, the FWR and the FCR are in the process of being mapped and the respective data standards are expected to be released by the end of 2022.