THE International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) is
calling for "further testing" and common global standards of advance
data for air cargo security screening procedures to avoid disruption in the
flow of world trade.
In an address to air cargo security experts, TIACA
secretary-general Doug Brittin cautioned customs regulators against taking
unilateral action in requiring information for all air cargo in advance of
loading.
"We recommend that all regulatory parties coordinate
this process through the WCO and that they consult more closely with industry
before they move forward on establishing regulations," he said in a
statement.
A similar process should be followed to establish common
procedures for member states' security regulators to ensure common cargo
screening methods are in place after the analysis process is completed, he
added.
While country-specific advance data programmes have been
tested by customs regulators - including ACAS in the United States, PRECISE in
Europe and PACT in Canada - and some results shared through the WCO and other
venues, gaps in global standards remain.
Said Mr Brittin: "The air cargo industry fully
supports the concept of advance data risk analysis, stating that many positive
lessons had been learned in relation to the creation of data sets, data
transmission, data analysis and the message 'return' process."
He highlighted a series of challenges that must still be
overcome which include the lack of compatibility between many carrier and
forwarder IT systems, inaccurate or incomplete information, wide variations in
the timing of data availability, and limited testing of forwarder capabilities,
especially outside of the US.
Diverse regulatory needs of customs and security regulators,
ranging from information acceptance, analysis and messaging to action and
physical screening continues to be a big challenge to the industry, said TIACA.
While compliance is the responsibility of both customs and security regulators
both have different needs that often involve separate functions within industry
management structures, the Association says.
Mr Brittin told the WCO conference that the air cargo
industry still has a number of concerns about advance data analysis, notably
systems and standards are not yet established, operational testing is not yet
sufficient in terms of getting messages to the freight dock in time, and
airline and forwarder responsibilities and roles are not fully defined.
"Real rule sets are not yet tested and it is essential
to determine cost, effort and capability. Actual screening protocols lack
common practices, even within some of the mutual recognition practices such as
the US/EU, Canada, Japan and others," he said.
Further questions surround issues such as how e-AWB and
e-CSD (trusted shipper) messaging procedures could link to a regulator data
scheme. Will customs regimes impose penalties on advance filings and, if so,
against whom?
Without common customs and security regulatory processes,
cargo transiting or transferring at a gateway may be required to be located,
off-loaded and screened - and the shipment may be only one piece in a ULD
container.
Carriers may be required to submit the same or similar
data to multiple customs regimes, based on routing. We also face a situation
where different screening procedures, varying by country, will continue for
targeted, higher risk shipments," he added.
He noted concern over smaller and medium sized forwarders
potentially being left out in the process.
TIACA wants customs and security regulators to work
collaboratively with industry to ensure data elements, analysis and messaging
procedures, screening and response protocols are all standardised.
The association recommends regulators continue to utilise
the current testing approach and procedures until global standards are
established.
Source : HKSG.
