Iasa (international Air Shipping Association)

What Iasa (international Air Shipping Association) does

IASA (International Air & Shipping Association) is a UK-based, member-owned not-for-profit association founded in 1971 that operates a global network of independent international freight forwarders. The association functions on an exclusive one-country-one-member model across 40 countries, with 450 combined member offices and approximately 5,000 staff worldwide generating $2.5 billion in annual turnover. Its core products are the membership network itself, an annual General Assembly for face-to-face business development, a Board-mediated dispute resolution service, and a guaranteed payment scheme that protects members against counterparty default.

The underlying "technology" is structural rather than software-based: exclusivity creates non-overlapping country franchises, while annual assemblies (83+ held to date) maintain relationship density that newer networks cannot easily replicate. IASA generates revenue through recurring membership fees set by the Board and voted on by full members, supplemented by association services. Its go-to-market is channel-partner-driven — each member independently serves its domestic market and collectively extends coverage to every other member's clients. Notable members include Seaspace International (UK), GPSM (Australia), HTL Logistics (India), Xcell Logistics (Mexico), Freja (Norway), Sabay Logistics (Turkey), and Trans Air Cargo (Thailand).

Name

Iasa (international Air Shipping Association)

Legal name

International Air & Shipping Association

Website

https://iasa.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

IASA is a not-for-profit, UK-based membership association founded in 1971 that connects independent international freight forwarders through an exclusive one-country-one-member global network spanning 40 countries. It serves freight forwarding companies seeking vetted international partners and offers dispute resolution and payment guarantees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Bracknell

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: IASA generates revenue through membership fees from freight forwarding companies that join the global network. The association is owned by members for members - not for profit.
2. Association Services: Provides dispute resolution services, guaranteed payment scheme, and One2One partner meetings for members

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

IASA is a non-profit, member-owned global network of independent international freight forwarders established in 1971. It connects one exclusive member per country across 40 countries and 450 offices, providing dispute resolution, a guaranteed payment scheme, and an annual General Assembly for member business development.

Product overview

IASA (International Air & Shipping Association) is a global network of International Freight Forwarders established in 1971, operating as a not-for-profit association owned by its members. Rather than offering a traditional software product, IASA provides a global network of freight forwarders with exclusive country-level membership, annual General Assemblies for networking and business sessions, dispute resolution services, and a guaranteed payment scheme. Related logistics services available through the network include Customs Brokerage, Specialised Trucking, Packing and Crating, Project Forwarding, Supply Chain Management, Warehousing, Inventory Control, Pick and Pack, and Distribution.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• IASA Global Freight Forwarder Network A global membership network of International Freight Forwarders with exclusive one-country-one-member representation across 40 countries and 450 offices. For independent freight forwarding companies seeking vetted global coverage and mutual traffic handling.
• General Assembly Annual international gathering bringing together decision-makers from member companies for business sessions, One2One partner meetings, networking, and decision-making on association matters. For IASA member firms and their principals.
• IASA Dispute Resolution Service A counseling and dispute resolution service available via the Board of Directors for addressing complaints or disputes between member companies. For IASA member firms.
• Guaranteed Payment Scheme A guaranteed payment scheme that protects IASA members financially in the event of any member defaulting on payments. For IASA member firms conducting cross-border forwarding transactions.
• Freight Forwarding Services (Via Members) Related logistics services delivered through the IASA member network, including customs brokerage, specialised trucking, packing and crating, project forwarding, supply chain management, warehousing, inventory control, pick and pack, and distribution. For shippers, importers, and exporters requiring international multi-modal transport.

Quantifiable outcome

• $2.5 billion annual turnover generated by members
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• IASA Member NetworkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1971Global network of 40+ exclusive country members providing international freight forwarding services. Each country has one exclusive member ensuring no competition between partners.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Emerging players

• JCtrans Network: JCtrans operates a digital freight forwarder network with thousands of members globally, leveraging online tools and an online marketplace. It represents the more tech-enabled, emerging model that competes for the same independent forwarder relationships IASA serves.

Broad incumbents

• FIATA (International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations): FIATA is the global peak body representing freight forwarders, with national association members rather than direct corporate members. It is comparable as a broader, more institutional trade association in the same industry as IASA.

Direct peers

• WCA World (World Cargo Alliance): WCA World is the largest independent freight forwarder network globally, with thousands of members across many more countries than IASA. It is the most directly comparable network model (membership-based independent forwarders with exclusive territories) and competes head-to-head for new country slots.
• CGLN (China Global Logistics Network): CGLN is a global freight forwarder network founded in China, operating a similar exclusive-territory membership model. It is comparable as a directly competing independent forwarder alliance with strong Asia-Pacific presence.
• AirCargo Community Network: A global airfreight-focused forwarder network similar to IASA's original air-shipping roots. It serves independent cargo agents with exclusive country representation and comparable service offerings.
• Global Logistics Network (GLN): GLN is a membership-based international freight forwarder network covering hundreds of cities worldwide. It operates a similar model of vetted independent forwarders and competes directly with IASA for member sign-ups and shipper referrals.
• GFA (Global Forwarding Alliance): GFA is a smaller but directly comparable international freight forwarder network offering exclusive country membership and dispute resolution. It targets the same customer segment and competes for new member countries.
• Neutral Air Cargo Forwarder Network: A longstanding global network of independent air cargo agents operating a similar exclusive-country membership model. It is one of the original networks that competes directly with IASA for both members and shippers.

Regional players

• BIFA (British International Freight Association): BIFA is the UK national trade association for freight forwarding and logistics, headquartered in the same country as IASA. It is comparable as a related trade association serving freight forwarders, though focused on UK domestic representation rather than global network membership.
• NCBFAA (National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America): NCBFAA is the US national association for customs brokers and freight forwarders. IASA's own US board member (Lee Connor) sits on NCBFAA's board, illustrating the close institutional overlap between IASA members and national forwarding associations.

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/iasa-international-air-shipping-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Iasa (international Air Shipping Association)