TSA Says All Domestic Air Cargo Must be Screened Starting Aug 1
The Transportation Security Administration has issued a notice stating that effective August 1, 2010, 100% of cargo flown on passenger aircraft originating in the U.S. must be screened as mandated by the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007.
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(The 9/11 Act requires 100% of air cargo flown on passenger aircraft (both inbound and domestic1) to be screened by August 2010. However, TSA and others have stated that the mandate cannot be met for foreign originating (inbound) passenger aircraft by that date. TSA is confident that the mandate can be met for U.S. originating (domestic) air cargo.
TSA had earlier announced that 50% of all passenger cargo, and 100% of all narrow body passenger cargo was being screened. In addition, on May 1, 2010, TSA increased the amount of cargo that was required to be screened prior to being loaded on U.S. and foreign flag passenger aircraft inbound to the U.S.)
Air Carriers Must Screen Cargo if Not Screened Earlier
According to TSA, if a shipment has not been screened before reaching the air carrier, the air carrier will be required to screen it, creating a potential for logjams due to capacity constraints.
Forwarders, Independent Facilities Can Join CCSP and be Authorized to Screen Cargo
To assist the industry in achieving the 100% screening requirement, TSA developed the Certified Cargo Screening Program. This voluntary program is designed to enable TSA vetted, validated, and certified facilities to screen air cargo prior to delivering the cargo to the air carrier. Any facility that is a regulated party or which tenders cargo directly to a regulated party (air carrier or indirect air carrier) may apply to become a Certified Cargo Screening Facility (CCSF) and be part of the CCSP.
On its website, TSA lists more than 400 freight forwarder indirect air carriers (IACs) that are authorized as CCSP freight forwarder facilities to screen air cargo for transport on passenger aircraft.
TSA also lists on its website more than 60 independent cargo screening facilities (ICSFs) that are authorized to screen air cargo for transport on passenger aircraft.
Chain of Custody Standards for Screened Cargo
Supply chain participants are required to maintain chain of custody standards for screened cargo. The standards are separated into three categories, including:
- Documentation -- information must be documented and must travel with the shipment.
- Methods -- methods must be employed to ensure that the integrity of the cargo is secure and maintained throughout the supply chain.
- Authentication -- documentation and methods must be authenticated upon receipt at each regulated party and processing point in the chain of custody.
Bulk Shipments Must be Screened at the Piece Level
Bulk shipments will need to be screened at the piece level if the shipment has not been screened previously. TSA sources have stated that “at the piece level” means each individual item within a shipment.
According to the 9/11 Act, methods of screening include x-ray systems, explosives detection systems, explosives trace detection, explosives detection canine teams certified by the TSA, or a physical search together with manifest verification. Additional methods to ensure cargo safety may be imposed (see 9/11 Act for details).
(While the 100% screening must occur at the piece level, airlines often lack the space and facilities for "de-palletizing", screening, and re-configuring wide-body containerized/palletized cargo. However, most of this cargo flows through freight forwarders (consolidators), who typically "containerize/palletize" this cargo prior to tendering it to airlines.)
No Exceptions for Any Commodities
There are no exceptions to the screening mandate for any commodities; all must be screened, including perishables, electronics, human remains, etc
1Domestic air cargo refers to cargo transported by air within the U.S. and from the U.S. to a foreign location by both U.S. and foreign-based air carriers; and inbound (foreign) cargo refers to cargo transported by U.S. and foreign-based air carriers from a foreign location to the U.S.
(See ITT’s Online Archives or 06/08/10 news, 10060828, for BP summary of Export.gov saying that the 100% screening mandate is to apply August 1 to domestic cargo.
See ITT’s Online Archives or 03/22/10 news, 10032220, for BP summary of a TSA and GAO detailed update on the screening mandate.
See ITT’s Online Archives or 05/10/10 news, 10051053, for BP summary of TSA announcement of increased cargo screening for inbound aircraft.)
TSA notice available via email by sending a request to documents@brokerpower.com