TSA heralds move to get more shippers enrolled in Certified Cargo Screening Program

Earlier this week, the United States Transportation Security Administration (TSA) rolled out changes focused on enabling more shippers to enter the secure supply chain, with changes to its Certified Cargo Screening Program (CCSP). These changes were published in the Federal Register.

The CCSP enables Indirect Air Carriers (IAC’s), shippers, and Independent Cargo Screening Facilities (ICSF’s) to screen cargo for flights originating in the U.S. According to TSA, most shippers involved in CCSP have readily incorporated physical search into their packing/shipping operation at minimal cost without needing to invest in screening equipment.

“The Certified Cargo Screening Program ensures that air cargo moves more quickly and securely through the supply chain,” said TSA Executive Director for Air Cargo John Beckius in a statement. “With this expansion, TSA will partner with interested participants in the cargo supply chain to carry out a TSA-approved security program and adhere to rigorous chain-of-custody requirements. This will enable certified program participants to package and ship secure air cargo, while reducing the need for additional screening requirements later in the supply chain.”

In its Federal Register notice published earlier this month, TSA said that it has decided to streamline its security programs by incorporating procedures for Shipper CCSFs (certified cargo screening facility) into the CCSSSP and ensuring broad announcement of this opportunity for shippers to register to operate as CCSFs.

“To operate as a CCSF, a shipper must register with TSA's CCSSSP office and be approved as a holder of the CCSSSP,” it said. “The security program includes the requirements to become a CCSF and, as applicable to shippers and manufacturers, the operational requirements for screening their own products during the course of manufacturing and packaging, and to screen other air cargo items to national and international security standards.”

TSA stated that it is actively encouraging indirect air carriers, manufacturing facilities, assembly facilities, shippers, warehouses and distribution centers to apply for and become a Certified Cargo Screening Facility, which it said means they will be certified by TSA to assemble, pack, secure and tender cargo for air transport in a secured manner, where no additional screening will be required.

On June 30, 2021, TSA mandated that all air cargo originating in the United States and destined for non-U.S. locations be screened or secured before being loaded onto an aircraft to meet international standards and to address potential threats to aviation.