TSA Evaluating Comments on 100% Screening of Inbound Int'l Air Cargo
At a recent House Homeland Security Committee Subcommittee on Transportation Security hearing, an official from the Transportation Security Administration discussed agency efforts for securing air cargo. The official stated that TSA has and will continue to focus air cargo resources to ensure continued compliance domestically with the 100% screening requirement, and to work toward further risk-based screening of international inbound air cargo on passenger and all-cargo aircraft.
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Along with its participation in the DHS Air Cargo Security Working Group established by DHS Secretary Napolitano, TSA is continuing its leadership role in partnering with industry and other federal government partners to develop strategies to strengthen air cargo security while facilitating the flow of commerce. In January 2011, TSA issued proposed air carrier security program changes to increase security measures for air cargo, most notably, to require 100% screening for inbound international air cargo transported on passenger aircraft by the end of this calendar year. TSA is currently finalizing its analysis of industry comments.
TSA is also working closely with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the air cargo industry to receive and process predeparture, advanced air cargo information about shippers earlier than is currently required so that it can increase the focus of its screening resources on high-threat cargo. TSA will also continue its efforts to test, evaluate, and qualify air cargo screening technologies.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 03/15/11 news, 11031519, for BP summary of TSA and GAO testifying on TSA's efforts to meet the 100% screening mandate on cargo transported on inbound passenger aircraft and the many challenges it is facing in meeting the mandate.
See ITT’s Online Archives or 01/21/11 news, 11012125, for BP summary of TSA proposing to require the air cargo industry to screen 100% of the cargo that is uplifted on passenger aircraft bound for the U.S. by December 31, 2011.)