HONG KONG: The International Air Cargo Association has welcomed the World Customs Organization’s adoption of advance cargo information data that is aimed at improving the industry’s risk profile by adding an additional layer of security.
Known as “7+1”, the data set is a requirement for risk data analysis and helps to standardize basic pre-loading advance cargo information processes. The new rules will be enforced by the U.S. and Europe later this year.
“This is a major step forward for advance data,” said Tiaca Secretary General Doug Brittin.
PLACI initiatives undertaken by the U.S., European Union, and Canada since the 2010 Yemen incident, where bombs were intercepted hidden in desktop printers shipped on express carriers, have proved that using advance data for civil aviation risk assessment provides an additional layer of security, Tiaca said in a statement.
The pre-loading advance cargo information is an additional layer of security in a multi-layered, risk-based air cargo system. Even without PLACI, the global air cargo industry has numerous layers of security among its various programs.
PLACI, however, has only one purpose — to identify potential high-risk cargo by analyzing consignment data, which is provided by the industry to customs and aviation security authorities, early enough in the air cargo supply chain that officials can take action.
The advanced data system has been tested in pilots in the U.S., Europe and Canada and the feedback has been that the earlier regulators can receive consignment data, the earlier they can review it, ensure it is complete or notify the filer that it is not so it can be corrected, or conduct their own aviation risk assessment.
Tiaca is working with regulators across the globe to ensure that new PLACI regimes are standardized.
The 7+1 data elements include the number of pieces, total weight, general cargo description, shipper name and address, and consignee name and address (the 7), plus the house airwaybill number (the 1).
Brittin said the PLACI regime had to be standardised, as there was a real risk of cargo being left sitting on the tarmac once moving from one jurisdiction to another.
“Tiaca is working to make sure that every segment of the air freight supply chain is heard as regulators begin to implement new rules,” he said. “We collaborate closely with WCO and others involved in the new rule making to ensure that we have a safe supply chain without impeding the flow of cargo.
However, technical specifications regarding the advance data elements have not been made available to the general industry in either the U.S. or Europe.
