Forwarders are facing an array of challenges in meeting the recent new security requirements for air cargo shipments added by the US and Canadian governments following reports of two packages containing incendiaries having caught on fire within European parcel networks.
Global forwarder association FIATA said the emergency measures will have a significant impact on shippers in the European and CIS regions where they apply, particularly for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) with lower volume shipments.
The new requirements began to be added in mid/late August following the discovery of the packages.
“Due to the complexity and suddenness of the new requirements, FIATA has received industry feedback voicing concerns on the uneven application of the new measures, as well as the new technical and operational challenges brought by the new data requirements introduced in the US Advance Cargo Air Screening (ACAS) programme,” FIATA said.
“The challenges in implementing the new requirements have reportedly led to certain air carriers imposing an embargo on all cargo originating from Europe and the CIS region.”
The new requirements led to Korean Air Cargo placing an embargo on shipments from Europe and CIS countries to the US until November 18.
FIATA added that it is working closely with its airfreight network to monitor the situation and support the industry in implementing the new emergency measures.
“Fiata calls on air carriers to continue to, as far as possible, accept cargo tendered from European and CIS countries in accordance with the new emergency measures, to foster the smooth flow of trade,” the organisation said.
In addition, the organisation called on governments worldwide for greater harmonisation in data requirements in pre-loading advance cargo information programmes to facilitate effective and efficient industry compliance, whilst meeting the safety and security objectives of such programmes.
“Fiata also underlines the importance of increased and consistent engagement between governmental authorities and economic operators to ensure effective and pragmatic regulation and its effective implementation,” it added.
According to the emergency measures, cargo originating from Europe and the CIS regions can only be transported on passenger aircraft where it was tendered by a shipper who: is a Known Consignor; or has an existing “established business relationship” with a regulated agent (such as a freight forwarder) or air carrier.
Full details of the requirements can be found here.
The emergency measures do not apply to: items weighing less than 16 ounces (453.6 grams); mail; diplomatic pouches; US government shipments tendered on a US Government Bill of Lading or air waybill where a US Government entity is listed as the shipper.
The new emergency measures also include changes to the US ACAS programme, introducing “Enhanced ACAS Security Filing”.
This requires additional data elements to be submitted in respect of the actual shipper of the goods to better identify the parties involved in the air cargo supply chain, prior to the cargo being loaded onboard a US-bound aircraft.
Contacts suggest that the recent ramp-up in security requirements, in combination with an increased focus on e-commerce shipments into the US from customs and more fines being handed out, have in the last couple of weeks resulted in a slight softening of what has been described as a firm air cargo market over the summer months.
Meanwhile, others have complained that the filing systems being used are not able to accommodate the extra data required by authorities, with updates needing to be made.
The US Airforwarders Association (AfA) also previously told Air Cargo News that obtaining some of the extra information requested by the US had created challenges for forwarders.
“The air cargo security landscape is constantly evolving in response to an ever-changing threat environment,” AfA executive director Brandon Fried said.
“While the enhancements to the Air Cargo Advanced Screening requirements are not surprising, their implementation has proven more complex than anticipated.
“Since the government requires airlines to implement these new procedures, much of the necessary information comes from freight forwarders who manage the shipments,”
“However, obtaining and sharing some of this additional information has presented practical challenges. Had CBP and TSA involved the forwarding and customs brokerage communities earlier in this week’s rollout, the process might have been more streamlined with our added insights.
“As a result, this week has been significantly challenging and confusing for airlines, forwarders, and customs brokers alike.”
Canada joins the US in implementing stricter requirements for European air cargo shipments
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