GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 26, 2026

Airport Cargo Screening

Airport cargo screening is the mandatory security process requiring all freight and mail to be examined for weapons, explosives, and other threats before being loaded onto an aircraft.

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Last updated: 26 June 2026Published: 27 January 2026

Source: https://www.iata.org/en/programs/security/cargo-security/

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Logistics Concept

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1 min

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118

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Definition & Explanation

Airport cargo screening is the mandatory security process requiring all freight and mail to be examined for weapons, explosives, and other threats before being loaded onto an aircraft. Detection methods include X-ray systems, explosive detection systems (EDS), trace detection, and physical inspection, applied by certified cargo handlers and regulated agents. The regulatory framework is set by ICAO and implemented through national aviation security authorities – in the EU via civil aviation security regulations, in the US through TSA requirements. Shipments handled exclusively within the chain of known regulated agents may qualify for exemption from repeat screening. Unlike customs inspection, cargo screening is a safety measure with no fiscal dimension, and it applies universally regardless of route or carrier.