TSA seeks 24-hour advance air cargo manifest notice

THE US Transportation Security Administration plans to secure cargo manifests in advance of shipments within 24 hours rather than the Customs and Border Protection 2002 Trade Act stipulation of four hours to arrival or take-off.

TSA director John Pistole told a Senate committee that the move is in response to the foiled Yemeni bomb plot which has highlighted a need for improved air cargo security globally and a global push of its Cargo Certified Screening model as standard which now number 1,140 facilities screening half of all cargo.

A recent trip to Yemen whence a printer cartridge bomb came revealed a below-standard air cargo security system and highlighted gaps in particular countries, reported American Shipper. By working alongside the IATA and the ICAO the TSA will support the development of screening programs to an international standard and those within the private sector.

Mr Pistole told the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee that data needs to be readily available to stop boarding of high risk packages with protocols in place for red flag scenario, "what action can we take eight hours, let's say 24 hours, and can we communicate with that freight forwarder".

At a recent freight transportation conference the retired acting customs commissioner Jayson Ahern testified that cargo manifests 24 hours before departure/arrival was no easy task unlike the maritime industry working at a slower pace and through bilateral partnerships with host countries enforce laws.

"The easy part is implementing the requirement. The challenge becomes the concept of operations of how you use the information," he said, also emphasising the need to keep international trade moving.

The Department of Homeland Security agree that 100 per cent screening is neither feasible or conducive to world trade movement with limited technology able to detect explosive material in consolidated pallets or bulk shipments.

However following US government indefinitely banning all air cargo from Yemen and Somalia the immediate solution for much of the private sector is that high risk countries will be missed out by express couriers, Mr Pistole said.
(Source:www.schednet.com)