TSA Pre-Check Writ Large

New air cargo screening requirements take effect this fall.

Beginning in November, shippers of air cargo will have two choices – meet the new TSA requirements, or don’t ship by air at all. 

The United States Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced August 14 it would be making changes to its Certified Cargo Screening Program for products shipped via air.

After October 31, 2023, air cargo shipments that previously qualified as Impractical to Screen (ITS) will be required to be accepted into the CCSP, or must be screened by the air carrier, reported Supply Chain Brain. This includes items such as drums of chemicals and large machinery. The TSA said it will work with program participants so they can carry out security checks on air cargo shipments before they are accepted by an air carrier, so long as they abide by the government’s chain-of-custody requirements, reducing the need for additional security screenings.

On June 30, 2021, the TSA passed a mandate requiring all air cargo originating in the U.S. that is destined for international locations to be screened or secured before the products are loaded onto aircraft, in order to address potential aviation threats.

The TSA is encouraging manufacturers, indirect air carriers, warehouses, shippers and distribution centers to apply for the Certified Cargo Screening Program and become a member of the Certified Cargo Screening Facility. This will allow businesses to assemble, pack, secure and tender all of their cargo for air transportation in a secure manner that requires no additional security screenings by the TSA. The program was created to prevent backlogs at crowded airline warehouses by pushing more security checks upstream, reported Freight Waves.

The TSA’s order has teeth. A Texas-based air cargo security firm was ordered in April to pay a $415,000 fine after admitting they made false statements regarding screening air cargo for explosives on commercial flights, reported Air Cargo News.

“The Certified Cargo Screening Program ensures that air cargo moves more quickly and securely through the supply chain,” said TSA executive director for air cargo John Beckius. “With this expansion,

TSA will partner with interested participants in the cargo supply chain to carry out a TSA-approved security program and adhere to rigorous chain-of-custody requirements. This will enable certified program participants to package and ship secure air cargo, while reducing the need for additional screening requirements later in the supply chain.”