TSA Issues New Regulations for Air Cargo Security

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced new air cargo security requirements - the first substantial changes to air cargo regulations since 1999.

The TSA's Air Cargo Final Rule makes permanent some practices already in place and adds others.  Its major new security measures include:

• The consolidation of approximately 4,000 private industry "Known Shipper" lists into one central database which will allow the agency to know more about the activities of companies shipping on passenger aircraft.

• A requirement for background checks of approximately 51,000 off-airport freight forwarder employees.

• The extension of airport secure areas to include ramps and cargo facilities that will require an additional 50,000 cargo aircraft operator employees to receive full criminal history background checks.

These new measures will be enforced in part by 300 more air cargo inspectors that will soon be stationed at 102 airports where 95 percent of domestic air cargo originates.

According to the TSA, the changes of the final rule will complement its ongoing initiatives intended to strengthen air cargo security without unduly disrupting the flow of commerce.  Some of its recently implemented operational measures include:

• So-called "surge" initiatives that inject unpredictable patterns into daily inspection activity.

• The use of transportation security officers and TSA equipment to screen cargo that is delivered directly to airport ticket counters.

• An expanded use of canine explosives detection teams in air cargo facilities.

Other enhancements are expected to be phased in during the next six months.

Full details of these changes will be published in the Federal Register in the coming days.  05-21-2006.

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