In 2021, the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) first mandated 100% screening of air cargo originating in the U.S. and destined for non-U.S. locations that is transported on all-cargo aircraft. In order to help the industry meet that new regulatory requirement, TSA originally allowed an exemption for Impractical to Screen (ITS) cargo, but the agency now says that this amendment will expire on October 31, 2023.
Federal air safety regulators are expanding a program that they say will allow logistics companies to continue shipping goods via airfreight after the TSA closes this “loophole”, that currently allows ITS cargo to travel through the “secure supply chain” in October.
To ease that transition, the TSA is now expanding its Certified Cargo Screening Program (CCSP), which is designed to help logistics companies to keep moving freight without additional security screening.
Specifically, the TSA says it is actively encouraging indirect air carriers (IACs), manufacturing facilities, assembly facilities, shippers, warehouses and distribution centers to apply for and become a Certified Cargo Screening Facility (CCSF). Approved sites will be certified to assemble, pack, secure, and tender cargo for air transport in a secure manner, where no additional screening will be required.
To qualify, sites must
- adhere to stringent security requirements set by a TSA security program;
- screen cargo at the piece level;
- initiate and maintain the integrity of cargo through chain of custody measures; and
- permit on site validations and periodic TSA inspections.
For more information, contact David Lychek, Director – Ocean & Air Services.
