Increased Air Cargo Security Measures Announced by DHS

In light of the events of the past week surrounding inbound international cargo, the Department of Homeland Security is continuing to enhance the existing Security Directives and Emergency Amendments that were issued this past week to the U.S. aircraft operators, U.S. all-cargo aircraft operators, foreign air carriers, and foreign all-cargo air carriers. Freight forwarders with air cargo operations at NON US LOCATIONS should expect to see additional documentation requirements for all inbound shipments.

U.S. aircraft operators, U.S. all-cargo aircraft operators, foreign air carriers, and foreign all-cargo air carriers will be required to obtain information for all shipments on each master airwaybill (MAWB) that they accept for transportation from a non- US location to the U.S. This information will include a specific statement (that the aircraft operator will provide to forwarders) regarding each shipment.

This information will include account history, method of payment, and a description of the goods, and is necessary for an aircraft operator to determine what security measures they must apply in accordance with their Security Directive or Emergency Amendment. By providing this statement, the forwarder is attesting to the accuracy of the information for the shipment. As always, we remind all IACs to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity to local law enforcement. Should you have additional questions, please contact your regional compliance coordinator. Thomas Friedman TSNM Air Cargo Programs Branch Chief, IAC Programs

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Air Import Security Announcement

November 07, 2010 Recently there have been a group of bomb scares that have been found in the airline system around the world. September 25, 2010 SWEDEN: A Pakistan Airlines flight was evacuated due to a bomb threat departing Stockholm to Karachi via Manchester. The information had originated from a phone call to Canadian authorities.

This is said to have been a hoax, but is still under investigation. October 21, 2010 PHILIPPINES: A bomb scare at the Philippine Stock Exchange. No bomb had been found; however the office building had been shut down for ½ a business day. October 28, 2010 YEMEN: There were two shipments departing Yemen with bombs inside. They had contained a lethal explosive PETN hidden in the ink toner cartridges each inside an HP printer.

The first shipment (via FedEx) was found in Dubai, UAE Airport. The second shipment (via UPS) finally tracked down in London had been stopped on the outgoing plane to the USA; however, they could not find anything and London authorities had given the clearance for the plane to depart. Upon the findings of the bomb on the FedEx flight, the London authorities were requested to stop the flight and look again.

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Reports of Export Sales of Agricultural Commodities Under Review

The Department of Agriculture is requesting public comments by Dec. 8 on an information collection regarding export sales of U.S. agricultural commodities. U.S. exporters are required to report to USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service information on the quantity of a reportable commodity to be sold to a foreign buyer, the country of destination and the marketing year of shipment.

FAS reports the information to the public so that all market participants can be aware of such sales and can evaluate the effects of exports on supply and demand estimates of production, prices and sales. OIRA_Submission@OMB.EOP.GOV or fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, D.C. 20250-7602.

Comments regarding these information collections are best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720- 8958.

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