Outbound to the USA – security advances on two significant fronts
AirCargo 238 archives stories
Monday, 31 August 2015
AUSTRALIA and the US government have agreed ‘stringent milestones for implementation of 100 per cent piece-level examination for US-bound air cargo’, signing off formally on the tentative arrangements outlined by the Australian Federation of International Forwarders (AFIF) in late June and early July.
AFIF has been impressively proactive in sorting out what looked like being a major difficulty for Australia in meeting US deadlines.
Now a clear agreement has been reached on how the Known Consignor and Piece-Level Screening programs will progress.
Meantime, the Australian Trusted Trader pilot program is under way, as reported in our daily e-news service.
While Trusted Trader, Known Consignor and Piece-Level Screening all relate to cargo security cargo, they come under the aegis of two separate government departments.
Trusted Trader is under the control of the Department of Immigration & Border Protection which is, as we have reported on several occasions, developing it with the expert assistance of KGH Border Services, complemented by input from an industry advisory group as well as broader consultation.
Known Consignor and Piece-Level Screening are the responsibility of the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development’s Office of Transport Security (see sidebar).
The OTS and the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have issued a joint statement outlining a strategy that will allow TSA to continue recognition of Australia’s National Cargo Security Program (NCSP) for US-bound air cargo until mid 2017.
Under this agreement, air carriers have 45 days from August 1 to submit a proposal for an amendment to TSA’s Standard Security Programs.
“The proposed amendments are to include aggressive timelines for meeting the current and future requirements of both governments,” explains the joint statement. “The agencies understand that the Australian government will require two years to pass appropriate legislation and develop and fully implement the framework regulations to govern a full supply chain security scheme that includes a Known Consignor scheme, consistent with the international standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
“The Australian government will introduce legislation into parliament before the end of 2015, with the regulatory requirements, rollout and full implementation of the program to be finalised no later than 30 June 2017. During the interim period as the Australian government implements its legislative and regulatory frameworks, air carriers operating to the US will establish appropriate implementation plans for their specific operations.”
It notes that providing amendments to TSA’s Standard Security Programs will “allow the contingent recognition of Australia’s NCSP while air carriers adopt a phased-in approach to the new Australian supply chain security regime while achieving compliance with US inbound requirements”.
TSA and OTS have pledged to work together and with the industry “to ensure commensurate levels of air cargo security are maintained. This agreement will ensure that bilateral trade will continue while enhancing air cargo security outcomes in both countries.”
AFIF’s chief executive Brian Lovell says the organisation believes the revised deadline of July 2017 will enable participants in the export supply chain to implement screening technology, systems and processes to ensure strict compliance with the TSA regulations and to the satisfaction of carriers operating passenger services to USA. But, he stresses, although the extension of time is a welcome outcome, the final decision regarding uplift of air cargo on a flight rests with the carrier.
AFIF has advised members to discuss specific security requirements with their respective carriers operating passenger services to USA.
Meantime, Australian Trusted Trader is moving ahead steadily. When in full operation ATT will be available to all ABN holders actively involved in the international supply chain. This includes importers, exporters, domestic and international freight companies, airports, maritime ports and brokers.
ATT aligns with WCO’s SAFE Framework, allowing more efficient clearance of low-risk cargo. Border clearance requirements are tailored to particular risks specific to a business and to their goods and supply chain.
Michaelia Cash, assistant minister for immigration and border protection, pointed out that ATT was built on the dual pillars of security and trade facilitation. “This is pioneering work as many similar programs overseas focus only on one or the other.
“The program will build resilience against organised crime groups and terrorism while simultaneously fostering active partnerships with industry and encouraging economic growth through tailored trade benefits and red tape reduction.”
What’s the OTS? — Vital to all of us it what
ALMOST everyone in the industry is familiar with the Australian Border Force – perhaps still getting use to its new name and restructuring – but there are several other government agencies with roles in air cargo which are less well known.
There’s the International Air Services Commission (IASC), for instance, which vets Australian carrier applications for authorised cargo and passenger route allocations; and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which ensures aviation works professionally at all levels. We report regularly on both.
While most shippers, forwarders and brokers seldom come into direct contact with IASC or CASA, one lesser known ‘agency’ – the OTS - does have a direct if not always evident impact on our daily activities.
OTS – the Office of Transport Security – is part of the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development.
It is the government’s preventive security regulator for the aviation and maritime sectors and its primary adviser on transport security.
OTS works with Australian states and territories, other government agencies and international governments and bodies. Liaison with the transport and logistics sector is an important part of its activities.
This collaborative effort is designed to improve security and prevent transport security incidents through the gathering of intelligence, formulation of policy and as regulator, auditing compliance and ensuring a nationally-consistent approach that complies with international standards.
The agency has offices in Canberra, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne (with responsibility for Tasmania as well as Victoria), Adelaide, Perth and Darwin. OTS personnel are also posted in the Philippines, Thailand, UAE, Indonesia, PNG and USA.
OTS last year published Transport Security Outlook to 2025, an evidence-based view of the likely future for the transport security environment in Australia. This is available as a pdf on www.infrastructure.gov.au/transport/security
Outbound to the USA – security advances on two significant fronts
AirCargo 238 archives stories
Monday, 31 August 2015
AUSTRALIA and the US government have agreed ‘stringent milestones for implementation of 100 per cent piece-level examination for US-bound air cargo’, signing off formally on the tentative arrangements outlined by the Australian Federation of International Forwarders (AFIF) in late June and early July.
AFIF has been impressively proactive in sorting out what looked like being a major difficulty for Australia in meeting US deadlines.
Now a clear agreement has been reached on how the Known Consignor and Piece-Level Screening programs will progress.
Meantime, the Australian Trusted Trader pilot program is under way, as reported in our daily e-news service.
While Trusted Trader, Known Consignor and Piece-Level Screening all relate to cargo security cargo, they come under the aegis of two separate government departments.
Trusted Trader is under the control of the Department of Immigration & Border Protection which is, as we have reported on several occasions, developing it with the expert assistance of KGH Border Services, complemented by input from an industry advisory group as well as broader consultation.
Known Consignor and Piece-Level Screening are the responsibility of the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development’s Office of Transport Security (see sidebar).
The OTS and the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have issued a joint statement outlining a strategy that will allow TSA to continue recognition of Australia’s National Cargo Security Program (NCSP) for US-bound air cargo until mid 2017.
Under this agreement, air carriers have 45 days from August 1 to submit a proposal for an amendment to TSA’s Standard Security Programs.
“The proposed amendments are to include aggressive timelines for meeting the current and future requirements of both governments,” explains the joint statement. “The agencies understand that the Australian government will require two years to pass appropriate legislation and develop and fully implement the framework regulations to govern a full supply chain security scheme that includes a Known Consignor scheme, consistent with the international standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
“The Australian government will introduce legislation into parliament before the end of 2015, with the regulatory requirements, rollout and full implementation of the program to be finalised no later than 30 June 2017. During the interim period as the Australian government implements its legislative and regulatory frameworks, air carriers operating to the US will establish appropriate implementation plans for their specific operations.”
It notes that providing amendments to TSA’s Standard Security Programs will “allow the contingent recognition of Australia’s NCSP while air carriers adopt a phased-in approach to the new Australian supply chain security regime while achieving compliance with US inbound requirements”.
TSA and OTS have pledged to work together and with the industry “to ensure commensurate levels of air cargo security are maintained. This agreement will ensure that bilateral trade will continue while enhancing air cargo security outcomes in both countries.”
AFIF’s chief executive Brian Lovell says the organisation believes the revised deadline of July 2017 will enable participants in the export supply chain to implement screening technology, systems and processes to ensure strict compliance with the TSA regulations and to the satisfaction of carriers operating passenger services to USA. But, he stresses, although the extension of time is a welcome outcome, the final decision regarding uplift of air cargo on a flight rests with the carrier.
AFIF has advised members to discuss specific security requirements with their respective carriers operating passenger services to USA.
Meantime, Australian Trusted Trader is moving ahead steadily. When in full operation ATT will be available to all ABN holders actively involved in the international supply chain. This includes importers, exporters, domestic and international freight companies, airports, maritime ports and brokers.
ATT aligns with WCO’s SAFE Framework, allowing more efficient clearance of low-risk cargo. Border clearance requirements are tailored to particular risks specific to a business and to their goods and supply chain.
Michaelia Cash, assistant minister for immigration and border protection, pointed out that ATT was built on the dual pillars of security and trade facilitation. “This is pioneering work as many similar programs overseas focus only on one or the other.
“The program will build resilience against organised crime groups and terrorism while simultaneously fostering active partnerships with industry and encouraging economic growth through tailored trade benefits and red tape reduction.”
What’s the OTS? — Vital to all of us it what
ALMOST everyone in the industry is familiar with the Australian Border Force – perhaps still getting use to its new name and restructuring – but there are several other government agencies with roles in air cargo which are less well known.
There’s the International Air Services Commission (IASC), for instance, which vets Australian carrier applications for authorised cargo and passenger route allocations; and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which ensures aviation works professionally at all levels. We report regularly on both.
While most shippers, forwarders and brokers seldom come into direct contact with IASC or CASA, one lesser known ‘agency’ – the OTS - does have a direct if not always evident impact on our daily activities.
OTS – the Office of Transport Security – is part of the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development.
It is the government’s preventive security regulator for the aviation and maritime sectors and its primary adviser on transport security.
OTS works with Australian states and territories, other government agencies and international governments and bodies. Liaison with the transport and logistics sector is an important part of its activities.
This collaborative effort is designed to improve security and prevent transport security incidents through the gathering of intelligence, formulation of policy and as regulator, auditing compliance and ensuring a nationally-consistent approach that complies with international standards.
The agency has offices in Canberra, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne (with responsibility for Tasmania as well as Victoria), Adelaide, Perth and Darwin. OTS personnel are also posted in the Philippines, Thailand, UAE, Indonesia, PNG and USA.
OTS last year published Transport Security Outlook to 2025, an evidence-based view of the likely future for the transport security environment in Australia. This is available as a pdf on www.infrastructure.gov.au/transport/security
urity Administration (TSA) have issued a joint statement outlining a strategy that will allow TSA to continue recognition of Australia’s National Cargo Security Program (NCSP) for US-bound air cargo until mid 2017.
