Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has advised that due to recent cargo incidents involving incendiary devices, including a fire at a logistics hub in Leipzig (originating from a package) have heightened awareness of potential threats within global supply chains. Transport Canada has implemented new measures: all cargo arriving from a list of fifty-five (55) European and Central Asian countries will not be accepted on an aircraft unless there is an established business relationship with either the carrier, the freight forwarder or their known agent. According to Transport Canada, an “established business relationship” is defined as an active account or a documented payment history for at least 90 days before the issuance of the mandate, with a minimum of six shipments tendered within that period. This applies to commercial cargo flights and/or combined cargo and passenger flights carrying commercial cargo and casual goods, except for mail. Potential impacts include a possible decrease in air volumes and increased numbers of cancelled shipments or shortage reports. The move echoes a cargo security directive issued by the US Transporation Security Administration (TSA) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in mid-August.
CBSA operational staff have been advised to remain vigilant in the handling and examination of packages and utilize all resources available to mitigate health and safety risk when conducting examinations.
