Department of Home Affairs
Changes to the New Measures to Import Air Cargo Due to Emerging Threat To Aviation Security
Update 3 - Reintroduction of increased measures
Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) today, Friday, 18 October 2024, participated in another urgently convened meeting of the Air Cargo Security Industry Advisory Forum (ACSIAF), hosted by the Department of Home Affairs (DoHA).
Further to our previous updates in which air carriers were warned they must be prepared to revert to previous additional measures, the DoHA has today announced that it is reverting to stricter security measures on import air cargo due to a heightened global threat.
As you may recall, a member notice was issued on 17 September 2024, outlining the introduction of stricter security requirements following an urgent Special Security Direction (SSD) by the DoHA.
After another meeting on 11 October 2024, the DoHA revoked the SSD from 20 September 2024 and issued a new SSD, easing certain measures.
DoHA has now announced it will once again revoke the current SSD, with a new SSD to be issued to aircraft operators either late today or early Monday.
Key points of the new SSD are expected as follows:
- Cargo from any of the 55 identified countries, weighing over 500g and lodged by a sender without an established business relationship, will once again not be permitted to travel on passenger aircraft (PAX), but will be allowed on cargo aircraft only (CAO) if it undergoes additional physical inspection.
- Additional checks and examinations are still required for such cargo before transport.
- Exemptions for mail, live animals, and biological matter will remain in place.
- There is no change to the list of 55 countries covered by the SSD.
Previous member updates and related notices
Updates will be provided as aircraft operators release further announcements following the new SSD, and FTA encourages members to reach out directly to air carriers in due course for additional details.
Updates will also be made available via the FTA website.
Tom Jensen - Head of International Freight & Logistics - FTA | APSA
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