TSA Pilot Testing Industry Air Cargo Inspection Program

(World Trade Interactive)

The Transportation Security Administration is currently pilot testing in nine U.S. cities a program that allows certain private sector facilities to screen air cargo that originates in the U.S. and is loaded onto passenger planes. The Certified Cargo Screening Program is designed to help the TSA meet a statutory requirement to implement a system to screen 50% of such cargo by February 2009 and 100 percent by August 2010. Phase 1 of the CCSP is now underway in San Francisco, Chicago, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York and Seattle.

According to a TSA information bulletin, the CCSP enables certified cargo screening facilities to screen cargo prior to its acceptance by a freight forwarder or air carrier. Third-party logistics providers, manufacturing facilities, warehouses and distribution facilities may apply to become a CCSF if their facility directly tenders cargo to a forwarder or carrier. Freight forwarders are also eligible to apply.

Although participation in the CCSP is voluntary, the TSA is advocating it as a way for shippers to ensure timely delivery of their cargo. The TSA states that the requirement for 100% screening, which will eliminate current exemptions and alternate means of screening for shrink-wrapped, strapped and banded pallets, is expected to cause “significant air cargo handling delays at airlines where all screening is currently performed.” The CCSP, on the other hand, provides a mechanism by which industry can (a) achieve 100% screening without impeding the flow of commerce, (b) continue to ship certain cargo types without potential invasive screening and related fees later on in the supply chain, and (c) continue to shrink-wrap consolidations and build bulk configurations.

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