Aviation Security - Changes to Security Declarations Effective 1 July 2023

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) has received advice from the Department of Home Affairs (the department) of changes that will commence on 1 July 2023 to the security declaration requirements of the Aviation Transport Security Regulations 2005 (the Regulations). The changes will affect the information Regulated Air Cargo Agents and Known Consignors are required to provide on security declarations.

Currently, security declarations are required to include a 'general description of the contents of the cargo' (subparagraph 4.41D(1)(c)(iv) of the Regulations) whether or not the cargo is a single item or a consolidation of multiple items. This requirement will change from 1 July 2023 to be replaced with the following requirements under paragraph 4.41D(1)(c) of the Regulations:
 
(iv) either a general description of the contents of the cargo or, if the cargo is consolidated, a statement that the cargo is consolidated;
(iva) a unique identifier for the cargo or, if the cargo is consolidated, for the consolidated cargo.
 
This means that, from 1 July 2023, a security declaration for a single item of cargo must still include a general description of the contents of the cargo. Where the security declaration consolidates multiple items of cargo, the security declaration must include a statement that the cargo is consolidated instead of a general description of the contents of the cargo. A statement of the consolidation can include checking a box on a security declaration that indicates the cargo is consolidated, for example.
 
From 1 July 2023, all security declarations must now include a unique identifier for the cargo or the consolidated cargo. This can include an air waybill number, purchase order, container number or any other alphanumeric identifier used by your business that links the cargo to the security declaration.
 
The intent behind these changes is to simplify the security declaration requirements for industry whilst maintaining a clear link between the security declaration and the cargo itself. This is important in the event that specific cargo needs to be located due to intelligence, or in any post-incident review process.
 
The changes were consulted with industry through the Air Cargo Security Industry Advisory Forum following feedback from industry partners that the current requirements were onerous, did not reflect industry practices and did not provide a clear link between the cargo and the security declaration.
 
The new requirements can be found in the Aviation Transport Security Amendment (Air Cargo Security Declaration) Regulations 2023 which was registered on the Federal Register on 8 June 2023.
 
A revised security declaration factsheet for your information is attached HERE.

Enquiries can be directed to aircargosecurity@homeaffairs.gov.au


Tom Jensen - Head of International Freight & Logistics - FTA / APSA