COAC Subcommittee Updates its Data Matrix to Identify Air Cargo Security Redundancies

(The Air Cargo Security Subcommittee has created a draft table (referred to as a "matrix") on the various cargo security-related programs that affect trade participants in the air cargo supply chain in order to help identify areas of possible redundancy and/or areas that could be leveraged to improve and streamline air cargo security.)

Updated Matrix Provides Revised/Additional Information

CBP has posted a "public" (i.e., without any sensitive security information) version of the Subcommittee's October 2009 draft matrix on its Web site. (CBP had previously posted an August 2009 version of the draft matrix.)

The public version outlines the various cargo security requirements (e.g., employee/supplier background checks, training, facility physical security, shipment data, physical screening, merchandise protection, and additional measures at foreign countries) for the various business entities in the air cargo supply chain.

Highlights of the revisions and additions made to the matrix include:

new information on identified areas of concern (i.e., redundancy of requirements, inter- or intra-agency actions) for some of the requirements

new list of air carrier requirements, including those for EU outbound air carriers and Known Consignor and Regulated Agents under EU Security Regimes

additional/revised details on the TSA's Certified Cargo Screening Program (CCSP), and Technology Asset Protection Association (TAPA) Freight Security Requirements Program requirements for exporters

additional/revised details on the TSA's Indirect Air Carrier (IAC) Certified Cargo Screening Program and IAC Standard Security Program requirements for freight forwarders

new list of Department of Transportation requirements for truckers

new importer requirements under the Responsible Care Program, U.S. Department of Agriculture/Food and Drug Administration Good Importer Practices, and Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism requirements for importers

Subcommittee Expects to Update Matrix Weekly Until Next COAC Meeting

Sources note that the COAC Air Cargo Security Subcommittee expects to update the matrix weekly until the November 2009 COAC meeting.

Matrix Will Provide Greater Transparency, Regulatory Changes May be Needed

At the August 2009 COAC meeting, a CBP official noted that, once completed, the matrix will provide greater transparency, and help identify potential areas of overlap that would benefit from streamlining, identify areas that can be leveraged, identify potential enhancements, and help recommend harmonization in areas that may benefit from it. Another government official noted that streamlining and making efficient the various air cargo security program requirements has proven to be complex and that regulatory changes may have to be made.

Subcommittee's Next Step is to List its Action Priorities

The Subcommittee is expected to present its final "draft" matrix at the November 2009 COAC meeting. Using the matrix as a basis, the Subcommittee will develop a list of recommendations as a separate document.

The Subcommittee has previously stated that it will be looking for areas that can have the highest impact for streamlining CBP, TSA, and DHS processes when developing its recommendations.

¹Departmental Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Related Homeland Security Functions

Note - Future revisions to the matrix will be summarized in BP's CSMS messages and Web Postings notice with major changes noted.

(See ITT's Online Archives or 08/18/09 news, 09081815, for BP summary of the August 2009 version of the draft matrix.)

Updated Subcommittee matrix (dated 10/06/09) available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/trade/trade_outreach/coac/subcommittee_activities/air_cargo_security/air_cargo_matrix.ctt/air_cargo_matrix.pdf.