Air IGM Tracking: Meaning, Types & How to Check

What Is an Air IGM?

Air Import General Manifest (IGM) is a legal document filed with the Indian Customs for all goods arriving in India by air. It is submitted by the airline or its authorised agent (such as a ground handler), not the exporter or importer.

This requirement falls under Section 30 of the Customs Act, and its primary purpose is to inform Customs about the details of incoming cargo, including the consignor, consignee, and shipment information, before clearance begins.

An Air IGM contains a complete summary of cargo on a flight, including:

Customs uses this information to assess risk, identify restricted goods, and plan inspections.

Why is Air IGM Tracking Important?

Air IGM tracking is not just a routine check. It helps you identify issues early and take timely follow-up actions, which can support faster customs clearance.

Bill of Entry Depends on Air IGM

A Bill of Entry can be filed in advance using shipment details such as the AWB number, even before the Air IGM is accepted on ICEGATE. However, it will not be processed or assessed until the IGM status shows “Accepted.” If the IGM is pending or has errors, the clearance process cannot move forward. Many importers constantly check the status of the ICEGATE bill of entry. They don’t realize that the problem actually lies with the IGM. 

Delays Can Get Expensive

The longer your cargo remains stuck at the airport, the higher the cost added. You need to shell out demurrage charges, warehouse rent, and handling fees. Timely tracking allows you to follow up and reduce avoidable delays. 

Errors are Common 

Even small mistakes can disrupt the process significantly. Here are some of the common errors:

Improves Visibility of the Supply Chain 

Importers can combine Air IGM tracking with tools such as Bill of Entry status and cargo tracking updates to get a clearer view of their shipment cycle and take quicker corrective action when needed. 

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How to Track Air IGM Status on ICEGATE: A Step-by-Step Guide

When you know the details that are to be entered, tracking Air IGM on ICEGATE becomes a simple process. There’s no technical knowledge required. You must simply provide accurate data. Follow these steps to track the Air IGM status:

Step 1: Visit the ICEGATE Portal

Visit the ICEGATE portal, navigate to ‘Services’, select ‘Enquiry’ and then the ‘Public Enquiries 2.0’. Now click on ‘Document status’ and select ‘Air IGM’

Air IGM Tracking

Step 2: Enter the Necessary Data

Now, provide the necessary details to fill out the fields like location and AWB Number. Cross-check the details for accuracy, as even a small typo error will not show the results.

Air IGM Tracking

Step 3: Submit and View Results

Once you enter all the details, click submit. On the system, you will be able to see:

In case the shipment is part of a Consol, you may also see references to ICEGATE air consol data.

Step 4: Cross-Check with Bill of Entry

Cross-check the details with your Bill of Entry and make sure that the IGM status is accepted, your AWB is correctly linked, and no pending errors show up. 

What are the Types of Air IGM Codes on ICEGATE?

Most of the time, confusion arises while understanding what status codes mean. On the portal, you can see short labels. However, each of these has a real implication for your shipment. Here is a simple breakdown that can help you:

What does “Error” Really Mean?

One of the most commonly misunderstood statuses is the “Error”. An error does not mean your shipment is rejected permanently. Some information might be missing or incorrect. Some of the common reasons are incorrect names of the consignee, a mismatch in the Airway Bill, a missing description of the cargo, or errors in data entry.

None of these errors can be fixed by yourself. The IGM has to be corrected and filed again by the airline or its agent. 

Importers must note that there might be a difference between CGM-level statuses and master IGM statuses when consolidated cargo is shipped.

If your cargo is part of a consol shipment, you might see:

This means the master manifest is cleared, but your individual shipment is still being processed. 

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Air IGM vs Sea IGM: Similarities and Differences

The purpose of Air IGM and Sea IGM may be the same. However, there are differences in their processes and timelines. Have a look at how these two compare against each other.

How Does Skydo Help?

If you export goods or services you must be familiar with the intricacies of receiving payments globally. This is where delays often occur with traditional banking systems due to intermediary charges, unclear FX rates, and slow settlement timelines.

Skydo simplifies this process by enabling exporters to receive cross-border payments with greater transparency and lower costs. The three key features that make Skydo a preferred choice for exporters are:

Therefore, Skydo serves as a practical solution for importers after tracking and clearing shipments. There’s no need to wait for long bank processes, as this platform helps to move your payment faster.