Last week the Office of Transport Security (OTS) presented the Exposure Draft of the Aviation Transport Security Amendment (Cargo) Regulation 2016 and highlighted several important items of impending change to air cargo security programs, particularly in regard to the new ‘Known Consignor’ (KC) scheme and piece-level screening for US bound air cargo. The Regulations, once finalised, are due to take effect from November 1st this year in preparation for the implementation from July 1, 2017
Meanwhile the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced that IATA’s Cargo-XML messaging standard will be utilized by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency (US-CBP) to collect advance cross-border data on US export shipments. Each year millions of tonnes of air cargo pass through US airports, from medicines and crucial electronic components, to the latest consumer products. The US CBP is tasked with ensuring that these goods are safe, present no security issues, are compliant with trade laws, and reach the customer on-time. The US-CBP’s utilization of the new standards, developed from international regulations, is due to begin within the next few months.
The new data format will make electronic communication between the US-CBP’s Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) system, airlines and other air cargo stakeholders simpler and more efficient. In addition it will facilitate growth in trade, ensure cargo security, and foster participation in global commerce through advance electronic data submission for air cargo shipments. Airlines, freight-forwarders, shippers and border agencies share the common goals of simplifying processes, enhancing efficiency and maximizing safety and security. The key to achieving this is industry collaboration and standardization on a global scale. The industry’s objective is the global adoption of a standard air cargo messaging system.
