Australia has added stricter security regulations for air cargo originating from Europe and CIS countries. Starting September 26, cargo on passenger planes to Australia is required to only be tendered from shippers with an Established Business Relationship (EBR) with forwarders.

Forwarders have voiced their concerns in meeting the new special security directions. The changes will make it harder to ship items over 500g from unknown senders on passenger planes. Australia forwarder association, IFCBAA said, “Under this measure, air cargo consignments originating from 55 countries mainly located in Europe over 500g lodged by an unknown sender cannot be sent to or transferred in Australia on passenger aircraft. Such cargo may be uplifted on freighter aircraft only, subject to additional security checks and inspections.”

Global forwarder association FIATA reports that industry members have raised concerns over the complexity of the rules as well as the technical and operational challenges faced under the new data requirements.

The U.S. Airforwarders Association (AfA) executive director, Brandon Fried said obtaining some of the extra information requested by the U.S. creates issues for forwarders. “Since the government requires airlines to implement these new procedures, much of the necessary information comes from freight forwarders who manage the shipments.”

The security requirements apply to a total of 55 countries.