Freight supply chains, the process of transporting shipments from their place of origin to their destination, are often complex and subject to a wide range of regulatory requirements, especially when they involve international movements and transport by air.

Air cargo has very different physical characteristics and values. It can originate almost anywhere in the world and be delivered almost anywhere in the world, usually in the form of goods sent by a seller to a buyer or by a consignor (shipper) to a consignee.  It can take the form of personal effects, gifts and donations, product or equipment samples, and even live animals for professional activities and events. It can be considered low risk – a periodic shipment from a known source in a relatively secure region, or high risk as a less frequent shipment from an unknown source that presents anomalies or has been identified by intelligence agencies.

Cargo will be handled along the chain by various entities with varying responsibilities, including aircraft operators, express carriers, postal operators, regulated agents, consignors, consignees, shippers, carriers, and ground handling and service providers. To complicate matters further, these entities will often be known by different names depending on the State or region in which they are located.

Cargo may be transferred between several different flights before reaching its destination and shipments will need to comply with various procedures and documentation requirements under legal and commercial frameworks. Authorities responsible for aviation safety and security crime prevention and tax revenue protection, will also have their own interests and regulations.

All parties involved in these often complicated movements share the responsibility to ensure the safety and security of cargo and to operate within the framework of the law. In particular, they are responsible for ensuring that any cargo contents will not endanger the aircraft and the lives of the people on board. This publication is an introduction to how these various elements work together.

Freight supply chains, the process of transporting shipments from their place of origin to their destination, are often complex and subject to a wide range of regulatory requirements, especially when they involve international movements and transport by air.

Air cargo has very different physical characteristics and values. It can originate almost anywhere in the world and be delivered almost anywhere in the world, usually in the form of goods sent by a seller to a buyer or by a consignor (shipper) to a consignee.  It can take the form of personal effects, gifts and donations, product or equipment samples, and even live animals for professional activities and events. It can be considered low risk – a periodic shipment from a known source in a relatively secure region, or high risk as a less frequent shipment from an unknown source that presents anomalies or has been identified by intelligence agencies.

Cargo will be handled along the chain by various entities with varying responsibilities, including aircraft operators, express carriers, postal operators, regulated agents, consignors, consignees, shippers, carriers, and ground handling and service providers. To complicate matters further, these entities will often be known by different names depending on the State or region in which they are located.

Cargo may be transferred between several different flights before reaching its destination and shipments will need to comply with various procedures and documentation requirements under legal and commercial frameworks. Authorities responsible for aviation safety and security crime prevention and tax revenue protection, will also have their own interests and regulations.

All parties involved in these often complicated movements share the responsibility to ensure the safety and security of cargo and to operate within the framework of the law. In particular, they are responsible for ensuring that any cargo contents will not endanger the aircraft and the lives of the people on board. This publication is an introduction to how these various elements work together.