Air, Business, Freight News, Logistics

BIFA unfazed by new US airfreight scanning rules

[ June 8, 2012   //   Chris ]

The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced a 3 December deadline for passenger air carriers to carry out 100% screening of cargo on US-bound international flights. However, the UK’s existing screening regime already meets the new US requirement.

“It will be business as usual for us from the deadline date,” said the British International Freight Association (BIFA) in a statement.

It added that 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.
BIFA said that the new measures also build additional risk-based, intelligence-driven procedures into the pre-screening process, with enhanced screening for shipments higher risk shipments. It added that it agreed completely with TSA administrator John Pistole’s statement that harmonising security efforts with the US’s international and industry partners is a vital step in securing the global supply chain. By making greater use of intelligence, TSA can strengthen screening processes and
ensure the screening of all cargo shipments without impeding the flow of commerce.
In the US itself, all cargo on passenger aircraft – both domestic and international departing – US airports is screened, either by the air carriers themselves or those voluntarily participating in the
Certified Cargo Screening Programme, under strict regulatory oversight of TSA.

Tags: BIFA, US Transportation Security Administration