TSA final rule for 9/11 cargo screening mandate

The American Transportation Security Agency (TSA) Certified Cargo Screening Programme (CCSP) will move from pilot phase to permanent status to meet its August 2010 deadline of 100 per cent screening of all passenger belly hold cargo, certifying carriers now screening only 50 per cent.

Once the Interim Final Rule (IFR) comes into effect on November 16 current freight forwarders and shippers will be validated through on-site visits and become Certified Cargo Screening Facilities, reports American Shipper.

A secure chain of custody at each screening facility must be adhered with each piece within a multiple shipment to be screened by August 2010.

Employees will be required to undergo vetting for security threat in a personal history check which the companies will be charged proposed fees of US$13 to $21.

Off-airport screening facilities will require third-party validation firms of which the TSA will re-certify companies in the CCSP programme every three years mirroring the timing of US Customs and Border Protection validation for firms in the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism programme.

(Source: Transport Weekly)