FFM
FFM is the IATA Cargo-IMP message that transmits the flight manifest — the complete list of consignments loaded on a specific aircraft/flight: every master air waybill, with pieces, weight and destination, plus the ULD (unit load device) each is loaded in. The Cargo-XML equivalent is XFFM.
The FFM is what the destination station, ground handler and customs receive to know exactly what is arriving on the flight, and in which ULDs. It drives break-down planning at the arrival warehouse, reconciliation against the individual FWB/FHL records, and advance customs manifests. A discrepancy between the FFM and the physical cargo is the classic trigger for an air-cargo irregularity (a "cargo discrepancy").
FFM is the "what's on this flight" message. The arrival station plans warehouse break-down from it, customs builds the arrival manifest from it, and every shipment is reconciled against it — so an accurate FFM is what keeps arriving cargo from being stuck as an unmatched discrepancy.
station
plans break-down
arrival manifest
What does an FFM message list?
Every consignment on a specific flight — each master air waybill with pieces, weight and destination, plus the ULD it is loaded in.
How does FFM differ from FWB?
FWB carries one shipment's master air waybill data; FFM is the whole flight's manifest — the list of all AWBs and ULDs aboard.