| A Funeral Home's Guide to the TSA 'Known Shipper' Policy |
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June 26, 2009 UPDATE: TSA Extends Known Shipper Compliance Deadline to August 1 NFDA just received word that its efforts to urge the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to extend the compliance deadline for the "known shipper" regulations were successful. According to an email from TSA Cargo General Manager Ed Kelley, who hosted a free NFDA Web seminar for funeral directors on May 19: "Because of the concerns expressed by the airlines and funeral industry, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) acting administrator has issued a 30-day extension to the July 1, 2009, requirement for human remains shipments to be accepted only from known shippers. The new deadline is August 1, 2009." The TSA emphasized in its message that airlines should continue to push through any application backlog they might be experiencing during the 30-day extension. TSA also stated: "It is equally important that funeral homes continue to work diligently to become known to the airlines." In response to feedback about the challenges NFDA-member funeral homes have experienced in becoming known shippers, NFDA was the only funeral service association that actively petitioned the TSA to extend the deadline. If your funeral home has yet to take steps to ensure it is recognized as a "known shipper," please take advantage of this extension and act now! For more information about becoming a "known shipper," visit the NFDA Website at www.nfda.org/tsainfo or call your personal NFDA member services representative at 800-228-6332. Did You Miss NFDA's Web Seminar about the TSA's “Known Shipper” Requirements? If so, you can listen to a free podcast of the May 19, 2009 Web Seminar: “Navigating the New TSA Requirements." Several hundred firms around the country learned the latest information about the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) “known shipper” regulations to help ensure their firms are prepared when these regulations take effect August 1, 2009. Seminar presenters included Ed Kelly, TSA Cargo General Manager and Dave Brooks, president of American Airlines' Cargo Division. As you listen to the podcast, you may find it helpful to follow along with the presentation materials provided during the original web seminar. Navigating the New TSA Requirements Web Seminar Materials (PDF)
Have You Seen the Advocacy Summit Webcast of the "Known Shipper" Presentation? On March 31, Doug Britain, manager of air cargo programs with TSA, addressed NFDA Advocacy Summit attendees about how the "known shipper" database works. Dave Brooks, president of American Airlines' Cargo Division, also shared how the airlines are implementing the "known shipper" policy and the steps funeral homes must take to be in compliance. More than 1,000 people watched the Webcast live from their computers that morning, and a recorded version is available here in case you missed it. Thank you to Sympathynet.com for facilitating the Webcast. According to a Transportation Security Administration policy (TSA), now beginning August 1, 2009 all human remains shipments originating in the U.S. or its territories must be tendered by a "known shipper." This policy will apply to all airlines accepting human remains for transport, and requires funeral homes to register as a "known shipper" for each airline they use to ship bodies. That process might require an inspection and payment of an inspection fee. Background on the "known shipper" policy The TSA's "known shipper" policy is not new; Congress just recently mandated TSA and the airlines to strictly enforce it. TSA originally developed the "known shipper" policy in 2004 as a way to "impose significant barriers to terrorists seeking to use the air cargo transportation system for malicious purposes." As this policy was being developed five years ago, NFDA Advocacy Division staff met with TSA representatives to discuss the potential security threat presented by the shipment of human remains by air. NFDA staff outlined the typical procedures and chain of custody involved in preparing human remains for air shipment. At that time, TSA agreed that the "known" status of the funeral homes that ship by air, the limited access to the preparation room and the transportation procedures used created a minimal security risk. Congress and TSA have revised their assessment, however, and have identified the shipment of human remains as a potentially serious security risk requiring stricter security measures. Compliance with the "known shipper" policy Funeral homes will be required to register as a "known shipper" with each airline they use to ship bodies; the application process might include an inspection and payment of an inspection fee. While registering with multiple airlines can create an administrative burden on funeral homes, TSA and the airlines have told NFDA that it must be done. Each airline has their own procedures for both the application and inspection process and may charge a nominal fee to cover their costs. According to TSA and the airlines, no inspection will be necessary if the applicant is already in the TSA "known shipper" database; however, even if a funeral home is a "known shipper," owners might still be required to submit an application with each airline the firm uses. Most C corporations are in the TSA database, making the application process relatively simple; other funeral homes that are not C corporations may also be in the TSA database. If a funeral home is not in the TSA database, the airline might be required to conduct an inspection to ensure the legitimacy of the business. NFDA will continue to work with TSA and the airlines to refine the process to reduce the potential compliance costs and administration burdens for its members. If a funeral home owner wishes to become a "known shipper," TSA officials tell NFDA they must contact each air cargo carrier directly to begin the application process. Below is information NFDA has collected from the major airlines to help funeral home owners establish their firms as a "known shipper," or, at the least, inquire about each airline's process. Alaska Airlines
American Airlines Continental
Delta JetBlue Northwest United US Airways TSA Information & Resources
If you have any questions about complying with the TSA "known shipper" policy, please contact your personal Member Services Representative at 800-228-6332. TSA Known Shipper Regs: Compliance Services Recently, several NFDA members have reported receiving calls from companies offering a "one-stop known shipper compliance service." This service is provided at a cost to the funeral home and includes sending an inspector out to complete a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) site inspection, and filing all the necessary paperwork with all airlines. While this is an option for funeral homes that wish to use it, please note that you might be charged airline inspection fees in addition to the fee charged by the compliance service; also, these service providers do not guarantee quicker service. Please be aware that if you already have a known shipper number with a particular airline, you do not need to have a site visit from that same airline. The decision to require a site visit is made by the individual airlines. Not all airlines require a site visit; each airline has its own procedures for both the application and inspection process and might charge a nominal fee to cover their costs. For example, American Airlines first checks the TSA database to see if a funeral home is listed. If the funeral home is in the TSA database, American Airlines does not require a site visit. However, other airlines, such as United Airlines, require a site visit prior to checking the TSA database. It should be noted that per TSA requirements, having a known shipper number with one airline does not transfer to any other airline. Therefore, NFDA members are encouraged to apply for a known shipper number with ALL airline carriers they use prior to the TSA known shipper compliance deadline of August 1. For information about the known shipper regulations, visit NFDA's Website at http://www.nfda.org/tsainfo or call your personal NFDA member services representative at 800-228-6332.
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