Transport Canada tightens security on cargo imports

Canadian transportation department Transport Canada has issued a new security regulation for air cargo passing through the United States to Canada from Europe and Central Asia, following a TSA directive in late August.

Air Canada Cargo alerted its customers on Sept. 6 that “cargo originating from the listed countries destined to or transiting through the United States must not be accepted from shippers without an established business relationship with a regulated agent or Air Canada, or if the shipper is not a known consignor.”

A known consignor allows shippers to guarantee secure cargo, abiding by all rules and regulations, according to U.K. aviation regulator Civil Aviation Authority .

[caption id="attachment_57132264" align="alignright" width="300"] (Courtesy/Air Canada Cargo)[/caption]

The Canadian regulation will affect cargo originating in 55 countries in Europe and Central Asia, according to the alert.

Shipments from shippers that fail to comply may be embargoed, the alert stated.

“Canada’s aviation security practices for inbound cargo aim to help keep cargo secure and to strengthen the safety of air cargo entering the country,” a Transport Canada spokesperson told Air Cargo Next . “Transport Canada has been working with our aviation industry stakeholders, especially air carriers and international partners, to ensure responses are coordinated and to minimize any impacts on industry.”

TSA’s Aug. 21 directive on advanced screening and data sharing affects U.S. imports from Europe. The full directive was not made public for security reasons, a TSA spokesperson told Air Cargo Next at the time.

“TSA continually adjusts security measures as part of our multi-layered approach to security and works closely with industry partners to implement them,” the spokesperson said. Increased risk Heightened security risks to cargo transported through Europe prompted German authorities to issue a warning to logistics companies about possible “incendiary devices” in packages, German news agency dpa first reported Aug. 30.

At least two DHL shipments may have been compromised during transport through Europe before the warning, Daniel McGrath, DHL vice president of group communications and sustainability for Europe, the Middle East and Asia , told Air Cargo Next .

“We are fully cooperating with the relevant authorities to protect our people, our network and our customers’ shipments,” he said. “We will fully comply with updated/amended aviation regulations implemented by the respective regulatory authorities.

“ DHL Express Europe is taking mitigation risks to secure its network, staff and assets as well as customer shipments by implementing these measures across the European countries as a reaction to ongoing investigations by authorities from several countries,” McGrath said.

TSA and Transport Canada regulations will remain in effect until Jan. 31, according to Air Canada’s alert.

The full list of countries named by Transport Canada: Origin countries for U.S.-destined or transiting cargo

Albania Holy See Poland Andorra Hungary Portugal Armenia Iceland Romania Austria Ireland Russia Azerbaijan Italy San Marino Belarus Kazakhstan Serbia Belgium Kosovo Slovakia Bosnia and Herzegovina Kyrgyzstan Slovenia Bulgaria Latvia Spain Croatia Liechtenstein Sweden Republic of Cyprus Lithuania Switzerland Czech Republic Luxembourg Tajikistan Denmark Malta Turkey Estonia Moldova Turkmenistan Finland Monaco Ukraine France Montenegro United Kingdom Georgia Netherlands Uzbekistan Germany North Macedonia Greece Norway