Hong Kong airport now demands all cargo be X-rayed before loading

NEW rules now require 100 per cent X-ray screening of all freight at Hong Kong airport bound for the US and Europe and detailed information about exporters before loading, raising doubts whether the technical capacity is available.

Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Ltd (Hactl), the airport's No 1 ground handler, moved 1,100 tonnes of US export cargo a day early last month, but has screening capacity to X-ray 500 tonnes.

Hong Kong Association of Freight Forwarding and Logistics (HAFFA) chairman Paul Tsui said delays will erode Hong Kong's efficient handling of air freight and wants a fully-fledged X-ray unit installed with the capacity to handle all air cargo without delay.

Tougher security controls on air freight to the US take effect this week, which come together with similar mandates from Europe in a few weeks, reports the South China Morning Post.

European freight needs data on cargo owners and in some circumstances on manufacturers, including those on the mainland.

Hactl managing director Mark Whitehead said could lose its place as the world's largest international cargo airport. One of the advantages of Hong Kong is its "efficiency of getting cargo in at the last minute".

Cathay Pacific Cargo director Nick Rhodes said the Cathay would launch the US air cargo advance screening pilot programme this week.

Under the scheme, airlines and freight forwarders must submit details about shippers, consignees and cargo to the US Transportation Security Administration via US Customs before loading.

Law enforcement officials will then give permission to load, or decide what cargo should be X-rayed or stopped from being loaded pending further inquiries.

"The response from US TSA/CBP normally takes a few minutes, but can extend to two hours after data submission," Mr Tsui said.

Cargo flown in the bellies of passenger aircraft to the US is already fully X-rayed but only accounts for one to two per cent of volume.