US air cargo sector concerned over stricter screening rules

The US air cargo sector highlighted some of the concerns it has regarding the implementation of stricter cargo screening rules due to be enforced later this year.

From November all cargo must be screened before it is loaded onto a freighter but a panel at US Airforwader Association’s (AfA) annual meeting urged the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to work urgently with shippers to address the impact of the new requirements.

The panelists said that the Certified Cargo Standard Security Screening Program (CCSSSP), designed for bellyhold operations, is the only viable way to meet new screening requirements.

Meanwhile, they added that the TSA’s proposed Secure Packing Facility (SPF) initiative is not a viable solution for shippers or air freight forwarders who tender cargo that is difficult to screen for freighter export.

“All security programmes across the various segments of the air cargo supply chain need to be aligned,” said Brandon Fried, executive director, AfA.

“Industry needs TSA’s strong support in messaging the shippers that the CCSSSP – which would regulate shippers tendering cargo that is challenging to screen using existing approved security methods – is the only realistic available option to continue to move their cargo.”

The CCSSSP will need to be adapted to include the acceptance and handling elements of the various freighter security programmes if it is to be used for the new requirements.

In addition, the TSA also needs to update the regulatory framework to include freighters.

The requirement that all such cargo must be screened has been in effect since June 2021, but up until now the sector has been working with a limited amount of TSA alternative security measures.

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