Air cargo customs and security regulations are always evolving: Stay ahead with CHAMP

Jerome Lorig, Head of Product Regulatory Compliance, CHAMP

Navigate changing requirements effortlessly with intuitive and automated filing solutions

The air cargo customs and security landscape is evolving rapidly. This is a result of tighter global cargo safety measures, expanding digital initiatives, and more complex trade regulations being introduced internationally. 

For airlines, forwarders, and handlers, the challenge is clear – how do you maintain agility in a world of rigid, fragmented requirements? The answer lies in moving from reactive to proactive, comprehensive customs and security filing management. 

Why the bar is rising for air cargo security

The primary reason for these introductions is safety. As global trade volumes rise, so does the complexity of screening and security filing requirements. While initiatives like Pre-Loading Advance Cargo Information (PLACI) schemes add layers of operational complexity, they are the standard for global air cargo safety.

The comprehensive and expanding global regulatory frameworks emerging over the last few years include, but are not limited to:

• ICS2: The EU’s PLACI scheme requires all goods moving through the EU customs territory to be risk assessed, allowing threats to be detected long before cargo departs for the EU.
• Canada PACT: PACT is Canada’s PLACI program, aligned with others such as ICS2, that ensures consistency with global standards for air cargo management and risk assessment.
• UAE filing: The United Arab Emirates’ PLACI scheme NAIC (National Advance Information Centre) enables risk assessments and aligns the UAE with equivalent international practices.
• Enhanced Air Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS) Interim Final Rule (IFR): The regulation issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will help identify high-risk air cargo shipments entering the U.S. by requiring carriers and freight forwarders to provide detailed cargo information before shipments depart from foreign airports. IFR became effective on November 21, 2025, with a 1-year informed compliance period.

Closing the gaps: Postal and e-commerce

Compliance isn’t just for traditional freight anymore. New requirements are bridging the security gap between postal networks and commercial air cargo. In addition, the rapid expansion of e-commerce shipments has seen authorities demanding more data points for clearance.

• Postal: Postal shipments containing goods are also now subject to electronic advance data (EAD) submissions for customs and security purposes, first by postal authorities before loading, then by customers before arrival. Postal filing is a necessary and important step in closing compliance gaps between air cargo and postal networks.
  
• E-commerce: There is increased scrutiny on e-commerce cargo shipments, authorities now demand House Air Waybill (HAWB) level data—meaning more data points and more opportunities for error if handled manually.

The customs filing evolution for air cargo

As more countries globally implement stricter protocols and mandate electronic data submissions for all shipments in advance, customs authorities and air cargo players are shifting from paper-based documentation to fully digital customs filing. This allows for simplified Advance Customs Information (ACI) submission for earlier shipment risk assessment and more efficient cargo management.

The current challenge: The risk of reactivity and fragmentation 

For years, the industry has faced a long-standing challenge; change only happens when compliance demands it. In other words, we tend to react to emerging regulatory changes rather than anticipating them in advance and preparing for them. 

But with greater demand for air cargo transparency than ever before, companies are changing their approach to compliance. Data accuracy, digital connectivity, and proactive shipment filing are now prerequisites for smooth global air cargo journeys. Therefore, comprehensive, easy-to-use filing solutions such as CHAMP’s Traxon product suite are essential.

Streamline and consolidate your customs and security filings with CHAMP 

At CHAMP, we see the primary frustration across the air cargo supply chain – the patchwork problem. No one wants to manage ten different interfaces for filing requirements for ten different countries. They want to avoid developing separate customs and security filing solutions for every country or jurisdiction and avoid having these filings and regulatory workflows separate from their day-to-day operations and cargo management processes.

Why? Creating and maintaining multiple, fragmented solutions is time-consuming, complex, and error prone. It leaves shipments and supply chains vulnerable to delays and costly fines, which affect efficiency and operational reliability. 

Our Traxon toolkit offers solutions to serve as your single, highly compatible interface for the world:

• Traxon Global Customs (TGC): The best-in-class solution for automating and efficiently managing ACI reporting needs across multiple jurisdictions, up to 65+ countries in total, from a centralized place. TGC automatically alerts supply chain partners of any errors and communicates customs responses directly. More information here
  
• Traxon Global Security (TGS): CHAMP’s innovative application is designed to empower carriers and freight forwarders in managing PLACI filings across various global regulations. TGS maintains a summarized list of consignments for filing to security authorities along with their shipment statuses. More information here
• Traxon Global eCommerce (TGE): CHAMP's e-commerce filing assistant helps automate the creation and submission of essential pre-load and pre-arrival declarations and report data at the House Air Waybill (HAWB) level, in line with emerging international e-commerce regulations. More information here  

Proven results 

Industry leaders like Korean Air utilize Traxon Global Customs to eliminate guesswork and fragmented filing processes. With CHAMP as their compliance partner, they are reducing risk, streamlining customs declaration processes, and seamlessly meeting regulatory requirements.

Air cargo compliance isn’t just about meeting a deadline; it’s about keeping the world’s cargo moving safely and efficiently.  

Partner with CHAMP and move beyond just "keeping up."

Discover CHAMP solutions for seamless compliance here