Air Cargo Security Screening and How to Avoid the Carrier Bottleneck

Air cargo security screening is an important program that is in place to maintain the highest aviation security standards. This process reduces risks to the safety and security of the traveling public and keeps goods moving in and out of a country efficiently, which is necessary for the economy.

What is the Screening Process

A secure chain must be in place to successfully move air cargo, and this process is what keeps the cargo safe and free from tampering. The screening process often begins as early as the time the cargo is packed and will continue up until the time it is tendered to an air carrier. Businesses do have the option of being involved in the screening process and must apply to participate. This would allow authorized program participants to screen and make cargo secure at different points within the supply chain and ensure that the cargo remains secure and free from tampering or unauthorized access while moving through the chain. This would be done through regulatory requirements, and the program will reduce cargo screening bottlenecks at airports while ensuring supply chain security.

3 Principles of Air Cargo

There are three key principles that are used in this approach:

1. All participants in the air cargo security program are trusted. Every applicant must go through a comprehensive application process and are subject to ongoing inspection and enforcement activities.
2. All cargo must be screened and made secure by authorized program participants, and this has to be done using Transport Canada’s prescribed methods in order to enter the Secure Supply Chain.
3. All program participants must ensure that cargo maintains its secure status through verifiable procedures.

Staying On Top of Changes

Changes are always being made, and Canada’s air cargo industry may be given more options to determine where authorized program participants can screen cargo within the supply chain. The purpose of these enhancements is to screen cargo to make it secure for air transport on flights that will be carrying both passengers and cargo. Changes must be effective and efficient and expanding the air cargo secure supply chain allows shippers and originators of cargo to secure the items through a screening process that can be applied at the time of packing. This would help avoid potential security delays and any additional screening fees. These changes would also allow cargo operators to accept, store and transport cargo that has already been screened and made secure by other authorized program participants.

If you require more information about this process or want additional details regarding air cargo security screening, the experts at Core Logistics International can help. Our team will tell you everything you need to know, so give us a call today.