Security/Environment/Customs/Performance standards

Overview

Modern, efficient customs procedures are critical to the performance of international airfreight shipments, and TIACA will continue to promote improvements in this regard. If the air cargo sector is to capitalize on its inherent advantage of speed, streamlined customs procedures are critical for international shipments. Identifying performance standards and best practices can be a critical element in achieving needed improvements.

Aviation is a key facilitator of international trade, allowing small and medium-sized businesses to compete internationally. Modernized customs procedures can therefore contribute significantly to a country’s economic growth. Because of the shared interest in updated customs procedures, TIACA strongly supports industry-government partnerships that promote modernization efforts.

Automated customs systems, which allow for electronic submission of data rather than requiring the information on paper, are an important tool for improving the international trade process and are a fundamental aspect of customs modernization. An automated customs system addresses trade needs for facilitation while allowing customs authorities to be more efficient and improve control standards through risk management and sharper use of resources.

Given the rapid pace of technological innovation, it is imperative that customs authorities not only establish automation systems, but that they also maintain procedures for updating those systems regularly. It is also important to develop automated systems through a consultative process with the trading entities affected, to properly test and vet new programs, and to set realistic timeframes for automation adoption in light of resource allocations. And, perhaps most important of all, automation systems should require only those data elements that are legitimately needed to ensure compliance with pertinent regulations, and should be in standardized, harmonized formats.  

Aviation accounts for 2 percent of man-made global carbon emissions, and with global demand for passenger and cargo traffic forecasted to increase, it is predicted to grow to 3 percent by 2050, according to the UNDP Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.   

The aviation industry has not been complacent, but rather has made significant progress in reducing its impact on the environment since the beginning of the jet age nearly 40 years ago.  Advancements in technology have resulted in a 70% reduction in fuel consumption, and therefore CO2 emissions (CO2 emissions from aircraft are directly proportional to the amount of aviation fuel consumed), when compared to original commercial jets. 

CO2 emissions are an important global environmental issue.  As a leader of the air cargo industry, TIACA recognizes our environmental responsibilities and is committed to working in partnership with governments and industry representatives to address aviation's impact on the environment.  TIACA strongly supports a global approach to addressing this global issue.

In this regard, TIACA supports the leadership role of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and the joint industry targets developed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and endorsed by the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG), i.e., an average annual fuel efficiency improvement of 1.5% to 2020, carbon neutral growth from 2020, and the aspirational goal of a net 50% reduction in 2005 carbon dioxide emission levels by 2050.

A variety of technologies are used to screen air cargo, and new technologies are under development. However, much of the equipment currently certified for use, particularly in the United States, is most appropriate for the passenger screening environment and is ill-suited to the air cargo environment where palletized or other consolidated shipments are the norm. TIACA believes government authorities should expedite development, review and deployment of technologies geared towards the air cargo environment.

It is essential that new technological options be made available soon. Without equipment capable of screening consolidated shipments, there could be considerable disruption to air cargo commercial flows in a 100% screening environment. Furthermore, in an environment where cargo-specific screening technology is nonexistent or limited in availability, we believe governments should strongly consider expanded use of canine screening teams for air cargo, to help meet air cargo screening mandates.

A variety of technologies are used to screen air cargo, and new technologies are under development. However, much of the equipment currently certified for use, particularly in the United States, is most appropriate for the passenger screening environment and is ill-suited to the air cargo environment where palletized or other consolidated shipments are the norm. TIACA believes government authorities should expedite development, review and deployment of technologies geared towards the air cargo environment.

It is essential that new technological options be made available soon. Without equipment capable of screening consolidated shipments, there could be considerable disruption to air cargo commercial flows in a 100% screening environment. Furthermore, in an environment where cargo-specific screening technology is nonexistent or limited in availability, we believe governments should strongly consider expanded use of canine screening teams for air cargo, to help meet air cargo screening mandates

Source: TIACA

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