Screening of cargo for explosives.
While the British International Freight Association (BIFA) is alerting UK freight forwarders that the United States Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced a deadline for passenger air carriers to conduct 100% cargo screening on international flights bound for the United States, thanks to the industry’s hard work in preparing for the event, it will be ‘business as usual’ on the day, for UK forwarders.
From Monday, December 3, 2012, all cargo shipments loaded on passenger aircraft must undergo screening for explosives, fulfilling a requirement of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act. However, the UK’s existing screening regime meets with US requirements for 100% screening so BIFA says that in effect, it will be business as usual from the deadline date.
TSA has worked closely with other governments, international organisations and industry partners to increase the security of air cargo without restricting the movement of goods and commerce. The recently announced screening deadline requires 100% screening of all air cargo shipments bound for the US. It builds additional risk-based, intelligence-driven procedures into the pre-screening process to determine screening protocols on a per-shipment basis. This process requires enhanced screening for shipments designated as higher risk, while lower risk shipments will undergo other physical screening protocols.