Air IGM Guide: Filing, Compliance, and Customs Process for Air Imports

Air IGM, or Import General Manifest, is a necessary legal document for goods arriving at an Indian destination port. It is filled out by the carrier using data from the airway bill.
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3 min
13 January 2026

An Air IGM is a key document in air cargo logistics that lists all goods being imported on a particular flight. It is submitted by the airline or their authorised agents as soon as the flight lands at the destination airport. This ensures customs authorities receive accurate and complete information, which is essential for smooth and compliant customs clearance. Understanding the Air IGM process is vital for efficient and legally compliant air import operations.

Importance of Air IGM tracking

Tracking your Air IGM is essential for several reasons:

  1. Real-Time Updates: Monitor your shipment at every stage, giving you better control of your supply chain.
  2. Prevent Delays: Spot potential issues early and avoid costly delays.
  3. Ensure Compliance: Keep all necessary documents up to date to meet customs regulations.
  4. Improve Customer Service: Provide timely updates to customers, building trust and satisfaction.

Efficient Air IGM tracking helps ensure smooth entry of goods into the destination country, improves logistics management, and supports your business objectives.

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Who requires Air IGM?

The Air IGM serves as the single point of reference for all air cargo imports and is essential for four key stakeholders to carry out their roles effectively:

Importers

Importers rely on the Air IGM to ensure their goods are correctly recorded with customs. It is essential for:

  • Customs Clearance: Confirms all imported goods are properly declared, enabling faster and smoother customs processing.
  • Legal Compliance: Helps follow national import rules and avoid fines, penalties, or seizure of goods.
  • Inventory Management: Provides accurate shipment details, supporting efficient planning and control of stock when goods are released.

Freight forwarders

Freight forwarders use the Air IGM to manage and coordinate shipments efficiently:

  • Shipment Tracking: Ensures all goods in a consignment are accounted for and can be monitored from origin to destination.
  • Documentation: Provides the primary information needed to prepare secondary shipping documents and maintain accurate records.
  • Client Communication: Offers detailed shipment updates, improving transparency and service for clients.

Customs authorities

Customs authorities rely on the Air IGM to monitor and regulate incoming air cargo, supporting security and revenue collection:

  • Security Checks: Helps perform risk assessments and screen incoming goods based on the declarations in the Air IGM.
  • Revenue Collection: Enables accurate calculation and collection of duties and taxes according to the goods listed.
  • Regulatory Enforcement: Ensures all imports comply with national and international laws, preventing illegal or unsafe items from entering the country.

Airline carriers

Airline carriers rely on the Air IGM for smooth operations and regulatory compliance:

  • Operational Efficiency: Helps streamline cargo handling and segregation at the airport.
  • Legal Compliance: Ensures adherence to local and international air cargo regulations, which require the Air IGM to be filed.
  • Cargo Management: Serves as a guide for managing the movement and storage of goods until customs clearance is completed.

Steps to file for an Air IGM

Filing the Air IGM is a precise, time-sensitive process that the airline or its authorised agent must follow:

Step 1: Prepare the Documents

  • Collect Shipment Details: Gather all necessary information, including consignor and consignee details, flight info, description of goods, weight, quantity, and AWB numbers.
  • Compile the Air IGM: Organise the data into the required Air IGM format.

Step 2: Submit to Customs via ICEGATE

  • Electronic Filing: Submit the Air IGM online through the ICEGATE portal before the aircraft arrives, as required by law.
  • Pre-Arrival Filing: Early submission allows customs to start processing and risk assessment immediately.

Step 3: Customs Verification and Processing

  • Document Check: Customs verifies the Air IGM against other available information.
  • Risk Assessment: Shipments are assigned to green channel clearance, document checks, or physical inspection based on the Air IGM data.

Step 4: Clearance and Finalisation

  • Approval: Once processed and verified, the Air IGM is approved, allowing importers or their agents to file the bill of entry.
  • Duty Payment: Paying applicable customs duties completes the import process and allows cargo release.

Step 5: Record Keeping

  • Maintain Documents: Carriers, forwarders, and importers must retain copies of the approved Air IGM and related documents for the legally required period.

Enquiring about Air Import General Manifest (IGM) on ICEGATE

ICEGATE, the customs’ centralised portal, is the official platform to view the status and details of an Air IGM.

  1. Access the Portal: Log in with your registered credentials (required for authorised customs brokers or importers) and go to the ‘IGM Enquiry’ section.

  2. Search the Air IGM: Enter the Air IGM number, or use the airline code and date range to locate the manifest.

  3. View Shipment Details: Check consignee and consignor information, description of goods, and the customs status (e.g., filed, accepted, or amended).

  4. Download Reports: Generate and save Air IGM enquiry reports for record-keeping or analysis.

Differences between Import General Manifest (IGM) and Gateway IGM (GIGM):

Although both relate to air cargo manifests, their purpose and use are quite different:

Aspect

Air Import General Manifest (Air IGM)

Gateway IGM (GIGM)

Definition

Lists all imported goods arriving in the country.

Lists goods passing in transit through a gateway airport.

Purpose

Supports customs clearance of imports at the final destination.

Tracks in-transit goods to be loaded onto another flight.

Submitted by

Carrier or their authorised agents at the destination airport.

Airline managing the gateway operations (e.g., transfer carrier).

Customs involvement

Customs authorities review and assess the cargo for clearance.

Mainly for tracking, security, and routing; no customs clearance needed.

Focus

Ensures proper import documentation and collection of duties.

Ensures smooth transit management and flight coordination.


Understanding the difference between Air IGM and GIGM is essential for compliance and efficient air cargo operations.

Financing your import operations with Business Loans

The fast-paced nature of Air IGM processing requires careful financial planning. Business loans can help manage the liquidity needed for customs duties, taxes, and handling charges that arise immediately after the Air IGM is filed and processed.

  • Easy application: Online applications make it quick and simple to access funds.
  • High loan amounts: Borrow enough to cover substantial import duty payments.
  • No collateral needed: Unsecured loans are ideal for SMEs without significant physical assets.
  • Flexible repayment: Choose repayment schedules that match your business’s sales cycle, reducing pressure from large upfront import costs.

These features make business loans a practical solution for companies managing the fast-moving requirements of air cargo logistics and Air IGM compliance.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the Air IGM required for all types of goods carried by air cargo?
Yes, the Air Import General Manifest (IGM) is required for all types of goods carried by air cargo. This requirement ensures that all imported items, regardless of their nature, are properly documented and declared to customs authorities upon arrival. The Air IGM facilitates efficient customs clearance, legal compliance, and accurate record-keeping, thus helping to maintain smooth business operations and adherence to regulatory standards in the import sector.

How is the information in Air IGM utilised?
The information in an Air Import General Manifest (IGM) is utilised by customs authorities to verify and clear imported goods, ensuring they comply with regulations. It aids in the accurate calculation of duties and taxes, facilitates efficient cargo handling, and enhances security by identifying and inspecting shipments. Importers use this information for inventory management and legal compliance, while freight forwarders and carriers rely on it for tracking, documentation, and operational efficiency, ensuring smooth business operations in the import sector.

What distinguishes a bill of lading from an IGM?
A Bill of Lading (BOL) is a document issued by a carrier to acknowledge receipt of cargo for shipment, serving as a contract of carriage and a title of goods. It details the type, quantity, and destination of the goods being transported. An Import General Manifest (IGM), on the other hand, is filed with customs authorities upon arrival, listing all goods on board for regulatory and clearance purposes. While a BOL is primarily a shipping contract, an IGM is a customs document.

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