With the exception of its swift establishment following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the discontinuation of the Impracticable to Screen (ITS) Amendment is the fastest and most significant action taken by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the history of air cargo exports. It’s worth recalling how long it took for Change 6 to become effective.
The NCBFAA (National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America) commends the TSA for its dedication to maintaining the safety of our airways, as we and our loved ones also rely on these planes for travel. However, we understand that businesses may require more than the given eight months to adapt to this change. U.S. shippers and the transportation industry (including IACs and airlines) have been granted this timeframe to prepare since the ITS Amendment was first announced at the Air Cargo Conference in February 2023.
We are mindful of the TSA’s mission to safeguard the nation’s transportation systems and ensure the free movement of people and commerce. Hence, we hope that these rapid changes in air cargo exports will not impede this freedom of movement.
NCBFAA members can rest assured that the Air Freight Subcommittee (AFSC), along with our TSA Advisory Group (TAG) Subcommittee led by Thom Martin, is closely monitoring the situation. We are engaging with the TSA as frequently as possible to raise awareness before the November 1, 2023 deadline. Recently, the NCBFAA, Airforwarders Association (AfA), and TSA organized two webinars, attracting over 600 attendees from various sectors within the air cargo industry, providing direct insights from the TSA on preparations and the role of IACs in assisting shippers.
The NCBFAA and AfA are working closely together to arrange additional sessions with the TSA, both in-person and virtually. Our aim is to support the agency in fulfilling its mission without interruption, which is to guarantee the freedom of movement for people and commerce.
