GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 26, 2026
Air Cargo Screening
Air cargo screening is a mandatory aviation security measure focused exclusively on flight safety, not trade compliance – its purpose is to detect explosives, weapons, or other threat items before freight is loaded onto an aircraft.
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Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX%3A32008R0300
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Definition & Explanation
Air cargo screening is a mandatory aviation security measure focused exclusively on flight safety, not trade compliance – its purpose is to detect explosives, weapons, or other threat items before freight is loaded onto an aircraft. Inspections use X-ray, computed tomography (CT) scanners, and explosive trace detection (ETD) devices; unresolved alarms trigger manual physical examination. The regulatory framework varies by jurisdiction: in the EU it falls under Regulation (EC) No 300/2008 and its implementing acts, in the US under TSA requirements. Regulated agents and known consignors may qualify for streamlined screening procedures. Screening outcomes determine the security status recorded on the air waybill (AWB) and are a prerequisite for aircraft loading.
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