IATA – International Air Transport Association.
ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) – A specialized agency of the United Nations headquartered in Montreal. It promotes general development of civil aviation such as aircraft design and operation, safety procedures, and contractual agreements.ICC (International Chamber of Commerce) – A non-governmental organization serving as a policy advocate on world business.
ICTF (Intermodal Container Transfer Facility) – An on-dock facility for moving containers from ship to rail or truck.
IFF – Institute of Freight Forwarders.
Igloo – A container designed to occupy the full main deck width of carrying aircraft.
Import License – A certificate issued by countries exercising import controls that permits importation of the articles stated in the license. The issuance of such a permit frequently is collected with the release of foreign exchange needed to pay for the shipment for which the import license has been requested.
In-Bond – A customs program for inland ports that provides for cargo arriving at a seaport to be shipped under a customs bond to a more conveniently located inland port where the entry documents have been filed. Customs clears the shipment there and the cargo is trucked to its destination, which normally is close to the inland port.
INCOTERMS – A set of international rules for the uniform interpretation of common contract clauses in international trade. See Incoterms.
Independent Action – A move whereby a member of a shipping conference elects to depart from the specific freight rates, terms, or conditions set forth by the conference. No prior approval of the conference is needed.
Inducement – When steamship lines publish in their schedules the name of a port and the words “by inducement” in parentheses, this means the vessel will call at the port if there is a sufficient amount of profitable cargo available and booked.
Inland Carrier – A transportation line which hauls export or import traffic between ports and inland points.
Inspection Certificate – A document certifying that merchandise (such as perishable goods) was in good condition immediately prior to shipment.
Integrated Carrier – A forwarder that uses its own aircraft, whether owned or leased, rather than scheduled airlines.
Intellectual Property – Ownership of the legal rights to possess, use, or dispose of products created by human ingenuity, including patents, trademarks and copyrights.
Interline – A mutual agreement between airlines to link their route network.
Intermodal – This refers to the capacity to go from ship to train to truck or the like. The adjective generally refers to containerized shipping or the capacity to handle the same.
i.p.a. – Including particular average.
ISO 9000 – A series of voluntary international quality standards.