THE US Senate Subcommittee on Transportation Security has tabled a new Transportation Security Administration (TSA) bill encompassing a voluntary air cargo screening programme. If enacted, it would mark a major departure from the earlier demand of 100 per cent screening of air freight, which was scheduled to be introduced this year-end.
The proposed air cargo advanced screening (ACAS) programme encourages freight forwarders to provide shipment level data for air cargo bound for the US, enabling TSA to target and inspect highrisk cargo at the point of departure.
This system would require information to be submitted electronically in advance, no later than the time of loading cargo onto an aircraft at the last point of departure before entering the US.
The TSA bill would also establish a certification process for third party explosive-detection dogs to be used for air cargo screening.
Source : Exim News Service - WASHINGTON, Nov. 20