How charges work
IATA tax codes explained
Short answer
- Code length
- 2 characters 2
- Entries in IATA's list
- More than 1,500, covering more than 200 countries 1
- Tanzania safety fee
- Code HY, collected by IATA for TCAA 5
- Tanzania Passenger Facilitation Fee
- Code VI, as reported 7
- USA security fee example
- Code AY in an IATA notice of 25 March 2020 4
What the codes are
A ticket shows the fare and then a list of taxes, fees and charges, each with a short code. IATA's TTBS Reporting Form, used to file changes to existing taxes, fees and charges, asks for a TFC code of 2 characters 2. The same form asks for the amount with 2 decimal places and a 3-letter currency code 2. Filers set an effective date for tickets issued and for travel 2.
IATA describes its List of Ticket and Airport Taxes and Fees as a directory of airline passenger taxes, charges and fees 1. It covers more than 1,500 entries with descriptions and codes, grouped into types such as Airport Taxes (AT), Passenger Charges (PC) and Stamp Taxes (ST) 1. It covers more than 200 countries 1.
Who keeps the codes up to date
IATA says its Ticket Tax Box Service is managed by IATA and that its experts validate charges with government and aviation authorities through the year 3. Filers must attach the official documents that support a filing before it is processed 2. TTBS then publishes a bulletin to its daily customers 2.
An IATA TTBS notice of 25 March 2020 shows how this works. It told subscribers about a change to the USA Passenger Civil Aviation Security Fee, filed under code AY 4. The notice said TTBS would update its system and pass the change to its subscribers 4.
A government change does not reach fares at once. Ecofin Agency reported on 29 January 2026 that governments must first formalize tax cuts by decree or ministerial order and then send the changes to ATPCO, which configures taxes in airline pricing systems 8.
African examples
| Country | Charge | Code or label | Source type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tanzania 5 | TCAA safety fee 5 | HY, itemized as Safety Fee 5 | TCAA circular, effective 3 January 2026 5 |
| Tanzania 7 | Passenger Facilitation Fee 7 | VI 7 | Press report, 19 August 2025 7 |
| Tanzania 6 | Security fee 6 | Itemized as Security fee 6 | TCAA circular 8/18, effective 1 November 2018 6 |
How the money moves
The airline adds the coded amount when the ticket is sold and passes it on to the authority 5. Tanzania's TCAA circular says IATA member airlines use code HY and IATA collects the safety fee for TCAA 5. Airlines send monthly passenger returns with proof of payment by the 15th of the next month 5. In South Africa, SARS says airlines are responsible for collecting the Air Passenger Tax from travellers 9. SARS lists the tax at R190 for international destinations and R100 for flights to SACU countries 9.
Reading the taxes box
- Look for the two-character code next to each amount 2.
- Match the code to the country and charge. IATA's list gives descriptions and codes for each entry 1.
- Check the currency. Each filed amount carries a 3-letter currency code 2.
- Check the dates. Each filing has an effective date for ticketing and for travel 2.
Common questions
What are the two-letter codes on my air ticket?
They identify each tax, fee or charge. IATA's filing form uses a 2-character code for each one 2.
What is the HY tax on a ticket from Tanzania?
The TCAA safety fee, which IATA collects for TCAA 5.
What is the VI tax on a ticket to Tanzania?
Tourism Update reported it is the Passenger Facilitation Fee of US$45 one way 7.
Who decides the tax codes?
IATA runs the Ticket Tax Box Service and validates charges with government and aviation authorities 3.
Rules and charges change. Check the official source linked on this page before you pay or travel. Spotted an error? Email hello@africapassengercharges.com.
Sources
- IATA provider page: IATA List of Ticket and Airport Taxes and Fees (ILTATF) (undated, viewed 24 October 2026)
- IATA: IATA TTBS Reporting Form User Guidelines, Version 1.0 (undated)
- IATA provider page: TTBS virtual tour (undated, viewed 24 October 2026)
- IATA Ticket Tax Box Service: TTBS/2020 12625 USA AY Information (25 March 2020)
- Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority: Aeronautical Information Circular, Revised Requirements and Procedures for Collection and Remittance of Safety Fee (stamped 19 February, no year shown, effective 3 January 2026)
- Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority: Aeronautical Information Circular 8/18, Requirements and Procedures for Collecting Security Fee (dated 28 September, effective 1 November 2018)
- Tourism Update, as reported by Kiran Molloy: Tanzania rolls out new US$90 pax tax (19 August 2025)
- Ecofin Agency, as reported by Lydie Mobio, Ingrid Haffiny and Henoc Dossa: ECOWAS: Why Airfares Remain High One Month After Tax Cuts (29 January 2026)
- South African Revenue Service: Air Passenger Tax (last updated 19 August 2026)
Related
- What taxes and charges are in an air ticket
The taxes, fees and charges added to the fare on flights in Africa, who sets them, how airlines collect them, and what the rules say about price changes.
- How to claim a refund of unused taxes
What African rules say about getting back taxes and charges on a flight you did not take, who holds the money, and the time limits for refunds.
- Tanzania passenger charges
Tanzania's airport service charge, TCAA safety and security fees, the US$45 passenger facilitation fee, visa fees and how each is collected.
- South Africa passenger charges
South Africa Air Passenger Tax rates, ACSA passenger service charges for 2026, who pays, who collects and which passengers are not counted.