As a leader in air cargo security, Mercury’s Independent Cargo Security Screening (ICSS) worked diligently over the past six months to ensure that cargo screening would be in compliance with new TSA regulations. As of June 30, 2021, TSA requires that all international cargo transported on commercial aircraft be screened to the same level as cargo on passenger flights leaving the United States. This requirement, that all cargo “screened or received from an entity that has applied security controls and/or screened the cargo” meets the procedures required from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

According to Rula Fakhouri, Manager of TSA Compliance, the new regulation led ICSS to hire 10 additional screeners (a 45% increase) and commit to ensuring that their customers are compliant with the new screening requirements.

“Our goal is to ensure that airlines operating cargo only aircraft will all be compliant with the new regulations. We started preparing six months ago to make sure we were on top of it,” says Fakhouri.

In addition, efforts working with many different groups, such as the Air Forwarders Association, to get the word out about the new TSA mandates and purchasing additional equipment to meet the requirements mandates were initiated early on.