The U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Transportation Security Administration has advised that the Air Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS) program went into effect this week. It requires the submission of advanced air cargo information on shipments arriving in the United States from foreign locations, including Australia. Having been a voluntary process until now, the program requirements become mandatory for airlines flying to the U.S.
As part of the ACAS program, participating air carriers must submit pre-arrival air cargo data to America’s Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the earliest point practicable and prior to loading the cargo onto aircraft destined to – or transiting through – the United States. The program uses Department of Homeland Security (DHS) threat information and other data to employ a risk-based approach to improve air cargo security through targeted vetting. At the National Targeting Centre, the CBP targets and mitigates any cargo identified as high-risk before it is loaded aboard aircraft destined to the United States.
Here in Australia, at a special session on Air Cargo Security held recently, our industry was advised on the latest transport security arrangements, including the Government’s decision to expand the current 100% piece-level screening to USA, to all international destinations as from 1st March 2019.
Australia’s Cargo Terminal Operators (CTOs) have finite space and resources to handle the expected huge increase in X-ray screening, and might have trouble coping with the demands of the expanded requirements. They may consider extending to 24/7 operations to undertake more screening volume, but ultimately major freight forwarders will need to invest in X-Ray equipment, so more off-airport RACAs are established. More exporters, particularly those with large volumes, will be encouraged to join the Known Consignor program.
In addition to the current Air Cargo Examination (ACE) level screening conducted by Australian airport CTOs on all cargo, the enhanced 100% piece-level screening procedures will be mandatory from 1st March 2019.
