100pc air screening sparks fresh produce shipper groan

NOT all is smooth sailing with the 100 per cent passenger cargo screening as American exporters report higher costs, according to the Packer, of Lenexa, Kansas.

San Francisco-based freight forwarder Jet Pro Inc said the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) change has hit his industry hard.

"TSA regulations require specific screening procedures, training, testing and expensive equipment," said Jet Pro president Keith Kenneally. "Shipping costs have increased dramatically to offset the handling cost."

Jet Pro ships greens, bagged salads, herbs, mushrooms, stone fruit and berries to Hawaii and Puerto Rico from the continental US and claims to be the only transport company using electromagnetic inspection scanners, which do not subject produce to ionizing radiation as X-rays do.

Since TSA established the Certified Cargo Screening last year, more than 740 facilities have been certified to screen air cargo. Most shippers who have joined the programme have been able to do screenings at "minimal cost," according to TSA.

Other exporters agree, such as Charlie Eagle, vice president of Southern Specialties, of Pompano Beach, Florida and World Variety Produce spokesman Robert Schueller, whose firm markets under the Melissa produce brand, who say all has gone smoothly.
(Source:www.schednet.com)