Aviation Security: Actions Needed to Address Challenges and Potential Vulnerabilities Related to Securing Inbound Air Cargo: GAO-12-632

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Overview

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has taken three primary actions since October 2010 to enhance security of inbound cargo on passenger and all-cargo aircraft. First, from October 2010 through May 2011, TSA issued new risk-based security requirements to focus more detailed screening measures on high-risk shipments, including prohibiting the transport of air cargo on passenger aircraft from Yemen and Somalia due to threats stemming from those areas and enhancing screening procedures for all cargo carriers. Second, the Secretary of Homeland Security established an Air Cargo Security Working Group-which included passenger and all-cargo representatives-to help identify ways to enhance the security of the air cargo system. In April 2011, the group recommended actions to enhance security such as developing mutually recognized standards for cargo screening technology, but the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has not yet determined whether to implement them. Finally, in December 2010, DHS initiated an Air Cargo Advance Screening pilot, which is ongoing, to more readily identify high-risk cargo for additional screening prior to departing from foreign airports to the United States.