Hong Kong air cargo screening update

Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) the world’s busiest air cargo hub began the phased introduction of X-ray screening of air freight shipments in January, moving to 100% compliance in 18 months. We will be monitoring performance closely in any post-Coronavirus peak.

Mandatory X-ray screening was due to be phased in from November 2019 at HKIA – starting with 25% screening of all shipments – but had been put back to January 2020, to give the air cargo industry more time to cope with the enhanced security screening requirements, set out by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

For the smooth implementation of an enhanced air cargo security regime, members of the air cargo industry, including but not limited to consignors, freight forwarding agents, cargo terminal operators and airlines, are being encouraged to take note of the adjusted transitional arrangements and prepare for the gradual increase in cargo screening percentages.

Phase 1: Jan 2020 – Apr 2020 25% to be screened
Phase 2: May 2020 – Aug 2020 40% to be screened
Phase 3: Sep 2020 – Feb 2021 70% to be screened
Phase 4: Mar 2021 – Jun 2021 100% to be screened

We continue to monitor the HKIA cutoff for delivering cargo, which has been fluctuating between four and eight hours.

Metro’s cut-off times are largely unaffected, because we use off-airport screening facilities for palletised and skid cargo, that are built up after items have been scanned.We also use Shenzhen and Guangzhou as gateways, particularly when HKIA is struggling during peak periods and may consider diverting more volumes, if cut-off times slip.It is imperative that vendors are approved by CAD as a validated known consignor, or they will be an “unknown consignor” with 100% of their cargo subject to security screening.CAD has limited resources to validate known consignors. We can advise on the best option for achieving validation of your vendors, or effective screening, if validation is not possible.

X ray machine by Dean Calma / IAEA is licensed under CC