Air Cargo Security
Over recent years much greater attention is being devoted to this subject in general and strict rules are in place covering not only Dangerous Goods (Hazmat) but all cargo offered for air shipment. Divergence from these rules can lead to delays, excess costs or indeed refusal to load.
In the UK the rules are set by the Department for Transport (DfT) and require that all cargo be made “known” prior to being loaded on an aircraft, to ensure that it does not carry a prohibited article, such as an incendiary or explosive device. This can be done by x-ray, sniffer dogs, hand searching or testing in a decompression chamber and charges are applied for these services.
Alternatively the cargo can be accepted as “known” if it is securely delivered to the airline by a Known Consignor and this is the route taken by Carramore. We undergo an annual inspection by an independent inspector nominated by the Department for Transport. This is a thorough examination of our methods, procedures and integrity of staff to satisfy the authorities that cargo offered by us for air transport is safe to load on an aircraft and we are therefore classified as a Known Consignor.
Recent events have seen a further tightening of these rules and indeed the prohibition of certain types of products.
This list now includes toner and ink cartridges weighing more than 500g (UK) or 16 ounces (US) and covers both loose cartridges as well as those contained within printers, fax machines, copiers and the like. Such items can only be carried by air when they are received from a known consignor.
We also need to keep abreast of legislation being enacted by other states and the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is another extremely vigilant agency; TSA rules may cover not only cargo bound for the US but also cargo carried on a US airline.