With cargo theft and tampering attempts rising to 27% last year, especially during peak shipping seasons, TSA must ramp up oversight, monitoring, and inspections to keep shipment 2025 compliance. But are your air freight operations ready to pass 2025 air cargo security regulations? Let’s take a look at screening, documentation, and risk mitigation requirements.
What are the new air cargo security requirements for 2025?
The 2025 air cargo security regulations bring several changes for international and domestic air freight operations. It’s important to keep up to date with them to avoid disruptions:
- The TSA air cargo compliance 2025 requires 100% cargo screening enforcement.
- There are stricter background checks and restricted facility access controls.
- New chain-of-custody documentation standards are required in an attempt to reduce cargo tampering.
- There will be stricter and more frequent audits and higher penalties for no compliance for shippers.
Key takeaways for shippers and freight forwarders
- Compliance is not optional; failure to meet 2025 air cargo security regulations will result in costly fines, delays, and even shipment holds.
- It will be crucial to invest in smart security technologies to improve operation efficiency and accuracy.
- Compliance training becomes crucial for staff to be better prepared and ready to respond quickly to any challenges that might arise.
- Working with TSA-approved, reputable logistics partners like EP Logistics allows you to optimize your operations, maintain a smooth supply chain, and reduce disruptions.
What are the main challenges facing exporters with the 2025 air cargo security regulations?
Increased security measures on the 2025 air cargo security regulations mean new logistics challenges to adapt to:
- Need to adapt to managing interline transfer documentation and other paperwork required under tight deadlines.
- An initial investment is needed for security tech implementation and staff training, which will raise some costs.
- Communication strategies will need to be implemented to avoid breakdowns between outsourced logistics providers, forwarders, and airlines and maintain the smooth operations of the supply chain.
- Shipments are prone to delays if they fail security screenings or do not comply with security measures, such as proper air cargo security seals.
- There aren’t enough Certified Cargo Screening Facilities (CCSFs), where cargo checks take place before being shipped, which will potentially cause bottlenecks.
Heightened risk periods: how theft and tampering surge during peak seasons
According to annual statistics, cargo theft and tampering risks significantly increase during peak shipping seasons, such as holidays and the fourth quarter. Here are the increased freight volumes during these peak months:
- October: freight increase due to back to school.
- November: Holidays like Thanksgiving and events like Black Friday increase demand.
- December: due to one of the major holidays, Christmas.
- January: Following post holiday activity and end of the year sales.
Here are some statistics from recent studies that give us some insight into how these risks increase during peak seasons:
- In the last five years, 174 cargo theft incidents occurred during the Thanksgiving period, causing about $7.84 million in losses.
- The days following Christmas show high cargo theft activity, with 31 incidents reported each day on average.
Actionable Insight
During these high-demand periods like holidays, sales events, and the Q4:
- The more valuable and time-sensitive the cargo, the higher the risk.
- There is special targeting towards electronics, luxury items, and pharmaceuticals.
- Also, higher risks are observed during cargo transfers between shipper, handlers, and airlines.
- Security breach cases due to a lack of air cargo security seals and tamper-proof packaging have become more common.
Implementing advanced security solutions, including real-time tracking, security seals and is key to protecting your goods and avoiding loss.
At EP Logistics, we take the safety of your shipments very seriously. This is why all of our solutions come integrated with advanced technologies to help you better manage your goods and shipments, minimize risks, and better adapt to peak season needs.
Risk mitigation strategies to protect your air freight in 2025
To ensure successful air shipping and comply with 2025 air cargo security regulations, it is important as an exporter to implement strategic effective security measures such as:
- Ensure you partner only with TSA air cargo compliance 2025-approved freight carriers to avoid complications and ensure your shipment safety.
- Use tamper-proof packaging and air cargo security seals every time.
- Invest in real-time GPS tracking and sensor-based monitoring to have total visibility of your cargo.
- Ensure that both your staff and that from your 3PL are trained on cargo security awareness.
- Contingency plan, unexpected screening delays, and conduct compliance audits so you stay ready to respond quickly and make changes accordingly.
How to Choose an Air Freight Partner
Finding a reliable will help you easily meet 2025 air cargo security regulations. To know how to choose an air freight partner, remember to consider:
- Their proven track record in on-air freight logistics and its compliance.
- Reviews that reflect their hard work and how they’ve done their fair share on how to become a known consignor for air freight.
- Look for a provider, like EP Logistics, that holds strong relationships with regulatory bodies and that is certified by international security programs.
- Make sure they are equipped to handle sensitive cargo and can provide you with advanced risk monitoring.
Air vs. Ocean Freight: making the right choice
Choosing between air or ocean freight will depend on your specific business needs. Although ocean freight is cheaper, considering air freight for high-value or time-sensitive goods is recommended because it offers shorter and faster transit times and higher security standards compared to other shipping methods.
Preparing for an audit: air cargo security best practices
Ensuring TSA air cargo compliance to 2025 and its security regulations is essential to avoid delays, penalties, and disruptions to your supply chain. Here are some of the best practices you can follow to ensure your business stays ready for an audit:
- Verify that your selected air freight partners are listed in TSA’s Indirect Air Carrier (IAC) program.
- Keep a record of interline transfer documentation for all air cargo movements.
- The program has periodical internal security audits and training sessions at least every six months to assess current procedures.
- Ensure you are properly utilizing air cargo security seals and tracking devices for increased security.
- Partner with an experienced customs broker, like EP Logistics customs broker team, to assist you with regulatory paperwork and other compliance requirements.
Secure your 2025 Air Freight operations with EP Logistics
Having a proven experienced, trusted logistics partner to help you deal with 2025 air cargo security regulations will enhance your overall operations, reduce costs, and avoid unneeded penalties and delays.
With over 20 years of experience in reliable and secure air freight, at EP Logistics, our air freight solution:
- Is compliant with TSA and international security standards.
- Ensures secure air cargo handling from the point of origin until your shipment’s final destination.
- Implementation of effective air cargo theft prevention strategies, 2025.
- Real-time tracking systems and smart compliance tools are integrated.
- Bilingual logistics support and a team of experts familiar with customs regulations in both Mexico and the U.S.
Contact us at EP Logistics today and find out how convenient and easy it is to optimize your air freight security strategy for 2025 when partnering with us and taking advantage of our customizable solutions!
