DHS starts collecting more air cargo data

Last week, the US Dept of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano met with leaders from global shipping companies and reiterated the US government’s commitment to strengthening air cargo screening and security efforts while facilitating the flow of commerce following the disrupted attempt by terrorists to conceal and ship explosive devices onboard aircraft bound for the United States in October.

Napolitano’s meeting included UPS, DHL, FedEx, Atlas, TNT and the US Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe.

Napolitano underscored her continued commitment to partnering with the shipping industry to strengthen cargo security through enhanced screening and preventative measures – including the successful partnership between US Customs & Border Protection (CBP), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the air cargo industry that, starting this month, will allow the DHS to collect more comprehensive cargo information in order to make better informed decisions regarding whether high-risk shipments should be loaded onto an aircraft.

Together, UPS, DHL, FedEx, Atlas and TNT employ more than one million employees in hundreds of countries around the world.

Napolitano also highlighted the Department’s continued collaboration with federal, state, local and private sector partners and international allies to secure the global supply chain through a layered security approach to identify, deter and disrupt threats through initiatives such as CBP’s Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) and the TSA’s Certified Cargo Screening Program (CCSP).

C-TPAT works closely with importers, carriers, consolidators, licensed customs brokers and manufacturers to validate and enhance security throughout participating companies‘ international supply chain. CCSP certifies more than 1,000 entities responsible for conducting air cargo screening throughout the supply chain, facilitating the movement of commerce whilst ensuring that 100% of all cargo transported on passenger aircraft that depart US airports is screened.