Part 108

What is Part 108?

THIS REGULATION CAME INTO EFFECT ON 01 JULY 2009

Part 108 is an addition to the Civil Aviation Regulations of 1997 covering air cargo security and the requirements for carriage by air, of cargo in an environment in which modern day terrorism threatens air safety. It is a preventative security programme which sets out measures and procedures to be implemented to safeguard against acts of unlawful interference with air cargo.

‘Cargo’ means any property, excluding mail but which includes stores or unaccompanied baggage, carried on an aircraft in a commercial air transport operation (including charter operations). No air carrier may carry ‘Unknown Cargo’ which is cargo from an unknown consignor (sender) to which the appropriate security measures, prescribed in Part 108 have not been applied. This affects domestic, regional and international air cargo. “Known Cargo’ is a consignment from a known consignor (sender) or Regulated Agent to which appropriate security controls have been applied. ‘Unknown Cargo’ can become ‘Known Cargo’ only after prescribed security measures, in terms of the regulations, have been applied to that cargo.

Critical objective

The successful compliance with Part 108, is an integrated process. The critical technical objective remains: Deterring undetected interference with a consignment and demonstrating that said consignment has been transported, stored and processed in a secure environment. Stringent and effective air cargo security measures call for high quality, innovative yet practical tamper indicative solutions.

Non-compliance could result in catastrophic claims in the event of a major incident. Notwithstanding the obvious risk, non-compliance will incur surcharges and cause shipment delays.