| A Funeral Home’s Guide to New TSA Regulations: 100% Air Cargo Screening & Known Shipper Regulations |
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100% Air Cargo Screening
Known Shipper
100% AIR CARGO SCREENING REGULATIONS March 11, 2010: Rebroadcast Info - TSA, Airline Officials Discuss New Regulations During Advocacy Summit If you weren't able to attend the NFDA's Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C., and you weren't able to tune into the live Webcast, during which TSA and airline officials discussed the new 100% air cargo screening program, you're in luck! A recording of that Webcast is now available for viewing and will be archived for the next year. Webcast presenters included: Marc Rossi, TSA branch chief, Certified Cargo Screening Program; Rob Hyde, TSA branch chief, Air Cargo Policy; and Keith May, American Airlines Cargo. Rossi, Hyde and May helped Summit attendees understand the new regulations and how they apply to the shipment of human remains.To the Webcast live, click http://memorialstreams.com/ms/NFDA and enter Service ID "855" and Password "nfda". March 3, 2010: TSA Must Establish Viable Screening Protocols for New Regs. NFDA just learned that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is working to establish screening protocol for human remains under the new 100% air cargo screening requirements. Under the "Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Actof 2007," the TSA will require screening of 100% of air cargotransported on passenger aircraft at the piece level by August 1, 2010.This means shipments not screened before reaching the air carrier (either by a freight forwarder, indirect air carrier or Certified Cargo Screening Facility) must be screened by the carrier. According to an email NFDA received from a TSA official: "The current screening protocols for human remains shipments will remain ineffect on August 1, 2010, when the 100% air cargo screening Congressional mandate becomes effective. TSA is continually reviewing the current [human remains] screening protocols. Our timeframe for 100% screening of [human remains] will remain flexible as we continue towork with your industry to find viable screening and possible alarmresolution solutions. We strongly encourage the funeral industry to remain engaged in the process and foster continued dialog with TSA and the airlines so that your industry is prepared when additional screening measures are required." NFDA has been working with TSA on the application of these new screening regulations to the shipment of human remains; NFDA's chief concerns have been ensuring the integrity of human remains and thatscreening procedures would not unnecessarily delay shipments. NFDA will remain engaged with the TSA as it determines how these new 100% aircargo screening regulations will be applied to human remains shipments. NFDA will continue to keep you informed of the latest developmentson the implementation of the 100% air cargo screening regulations as they apply to shipments of human remains; the latest news andinformation can always be found on the NFDA Website, www.nfda.org/tsainfo. NFDA encourages you to consider becoming Certified Cargo Screening Facility under the TSA's Certified Cargo Screening Program. For more information, visit www.tsa.gov/ccsp or email the TSA at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . TSA and airline officials will present information about the new 100% cargo screening regulations and ways you can become a Certified Cargo Screening Facility during the upcoming NFDA Advocacy Summit. NFDA is planning to Webcast the presentation on March 9; details about this broadcast are forthcoming. February 9, 2010: TSA Regional Contacts Have a question about the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) new 100% air cargo screening regulations and want to speak with someone. You can always send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; however, you can also get in touch with your regional contact.
February 9, 2010 TSA and airline officials will also present information about the new 100% cargo screening regulations and ways funeral homes can ensure the integrity of human remains shipments during the NFDA Advocacy Summit, March 8-10 in Washington, D.C. NFDA is planning to Webcast the presentation on March 9; details about this broadcast are forthcoming. [Back to Top]
December 29, 2009 Under the "Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007," 100% of all air cargo transported on passenger aircraft will need to be screened at the piece level by August 1, 2010. The technology to screen cargo is limited to: x-ray, explosive trace detection, explosive detection systems, canine and physical search. TSA was authorized to establish a system to screen all cargo, but TSA does not screen cargo as it does passenger baggage. Listening to industry concerns that passenger airlines cannot meet the mandate without delaying shipments (consider all the skids of cargo that would need to be taken apart, screened and possibly opened/contents removed for physical search, for example), TSA established the Certified Cargo Screening Program (CCSP). The CCSP enables entities, on a voluntary basis, to screen cargo before it arrives at the airport, thus avoiding screening backlogs and delays. Thus, given the sensitive nature of human remains shipments, funeral homes might wish to become a Certified Cargo Screening Facility (CCSF) to avoid having human remains shipments inspected by airline personnel. Freight forwarders, independent screening facilities and many shippers have already become certified. Most shippers who have joined the program so far have not had to invest in screening technology, as they have been able to incorporate the TSA-approved physical search screening process into their packing/shipping process. Shippers currently in the program include: high-tech, pharmaceuticals, fresh produce/perishables, and museums. For more information about the CCSP, visit the TSA Website (http://www.tsa.gov/CCSP) or email the agency at
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. NFDA's Advocacy Division staff in Washington, D.C., is actively working with TSA on this important issue. Look for more information in the coming months. You may also contact NFDA's Advocacy Division staff for more information: John Fitch,
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or 202-547-0441; or Lesley Witter,
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or 202-547-0877. December 16, 2009 The new rule will require shipments that have not been screened before reaching the air carrier (either by a freight forwarder, indirect air carrier, or Certified Cargo Screening facility) be screened by the carrier, potentially creating a logjam due to capacity restraints. There are no exceptions to this screening process, including human remains. Since funeral directors cannot predict when a death occurs, much less if it needs to be shipped out, this could cause a major problem in scheduling flights for the remains. NFDA is working with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and airline officials on the details of the new requirements, especially one that would involve physically opening/inspecting a cargo shipment if it sets off an alarm indicating a potential security problem. NFDA will provide more information on this program as details become available. TSA and airline officials will also present information on these new cargo screening requirements during NFDA's Advocacy Summit, March 8-10, 2010, in Washington, D.C. [Back to Top] KNOWN SHIPPER REGULATIONS June 26, 2009 - 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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