Air Cargo Screening – Who is responsible?
NEW AIR CARGO SECURITY STANDARDS:
WHAT EXPORTERS NEED TO KNOW
The options for airtight packages via Europe are no longer allowed by CAA (Civil Aviation
Authority)
Packages that are not airtight can still be made secure via secondary screening methods.
We will endeavour to make your goods secure via all means available to us.
This relates to a direct impact on air shipment inspection and screening procedures of Drums
and Airtight containers in France.
The regulation applies to all shipments packed in hermetically sealed (Airtight) containers over 25
litres, such as Drums, cans and canisters, in liquid or powder form.
As a result, only ‘Known Consignors’ will be able to continue exporting from 1st October 2024.
Airtight packaged shipments over 25 Litres:
All airtight packaged shipments over 25 Liters must be delivered already secured.
This entails ensuring appropriate sealing and securing before acceptance.
A phased approach to the transition is in place and up to now exporters who wish to continue to
ship should have registered.
X-ray Inspection for Containers Over 25 Litres
Mandatory Registration
1st Jan 24 – 1st April 24
Exporters who wish to ship
hermetically sealed
containers must register
during this period.
The purpose of registration is
likely to gather information
and initiate the approval
process for exporters
Authorised Period
1st April 24 – 1st October 24
During this phase, exporters
who have registered may
continue shipping large drums
subject to approval by the
DGAC.
It appears that this period
allows exporters time to gain
official approval while still
being permitted to ship
Full Implementation
From 1st October 24
After October 1, 2024, only exporters
registered as “known shippers” will
be allowed to ship large drums.
Shipments from exporters not on the
“known shipper” list will be refused,
indicating a strict enforcement of the
new regulations
Although the original implementation date was October 2024, there are indications that the deadline may
be partially extended, allowing limited flexibility during the transition. However, full compliance is still
expected within the near term.
AIR CARGO SCREENING REGULATIONS
Airtight packaged shipments under 25 Litres:
X-ray Inspection for Containers Under 25 Litres
Containers under 25 litres may continue to be inspected by X-ray, with a caveat that if the cargo
appears opaque, approval from a known shipper will also be required.
This suggests that smaller containers are subject to different inspection standards but may also require
known shipper status under certain circumstance
It is crucial for exporters to adhere to these new requirements and timelines to ensure
compliance with the DGAC regulations. The phased approach allows for a transition period but
emphasizes the eventual need for known shipper approval for certain types of shipments
Facilitating Compliance:
To comply with these requirements and reduce the risk of acceptance refusals, we encourage our
customers to obtain a Known Consignor (KC) status. This will streamline the screening process
and ensure smoother acceptance.