Air Cargo Security Screening Checklist [FREE PDF]

Air cargo security is governed by TSA regulations under 49 CFR Part 1544 and 1548, and IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR), requiring all indirect air carriers (IACs) and certified cargo screening facilities (CCSFs) to implement documented security programs and screening procedures. The TSA's Air Cargo Security Program mandates that 100% of cargo on passenger aircraft be screened using approved methods including X-ray, physical search, or explosive detection systems. This checklist equips Tra

Industry: Freight & Logistics
Frequency: Per Event
Estimated Time: 25-40 minutes
Role: Transportation Coordinator
Total Items: 38
Compliance: TSA 49 CFR Part 1548 - Indirect Air Carrier Security, TSA 49 CFR Part 1544 - Aircraft Operator Security: Air Carriers and Commercial Operators, IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) 65th Edition, DOT 49 CFR Part 175 - Carriage by Aircraft - Hazardous Materials, TSA Air Cargo Security Program - Certified Cargo Screening Program (CCSP)

Known Shipper & Account Verification

Confirm shipper status, account credentials, and eligibility to tender cargo for air transport.

Is the tendering shipper verified as a Known Shipper or Regulated Agent in the TSA Known Shipper Management System (KSMS)?
Has the shipper's identity been verified against a government-issued photo ID or business credentials?
Is the shipper's account active with no outstanding security holds or compliance flags?
Has the shipper signed and dated the Shipper's Security Endorsement on the Air Waybill?
For new or unknown shippers, has a face-to-face interview and facility assessment been completed per TSA requirements?

Cargo Documentation Review

Verify all shipping documents are complete, accurate, and compliant with regulatory requirements.

Is the Air Waybill (AWB) complete with accurate shipper, consignee, piece count, weight, and commodity description?
Does the declared commodity description on the AWB match the physical cargo presented for screening?
For regulated shipments, is a Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods (DGD) included and correctly completed?
Has the cargo been assigned a unique tracking or screening reference number and logged in the screening system?
Are export control and customs declarations complete and consistent with the cargo content for international shipments?
Please record any documentation discrepancies or exceptions noted during review.

Physical Cargo Screening

Document the screening method(s) applied and results for all cargo units in this shipment.

What primary screening method was applied to this shipment?
Did the primary screening method produce a clear result with no anomalies or unresolved alarms?
If an anomaly was detected, was secondary screening (physical hand search) completed and documented?
Were all pieces in the shipment screened individually or as a consolidated unit per applicable procedures?
Has all screened cargo been marked, labeled, or sealed with tamper-evident security indicators post-screening?
Is the screening equipment used for this shipment certified, calibrated, and current on required maintenance?

Hazardous Materials & Dangerous Goods Review

Verify proper classification, labeling, packaging, and quantity limits for any dangerous goods in the shipment.

Has the shipment been assessed for the presence of undeclared dangerous goods or restricted articles?
If dangerous goods are present, are all packages correctly labeled with required hazard labels, markings, and UN numbers?
Do dangerous goods packages comply with IATA packing instructions and quantity limits for air transport?
Are forbidden dangerous goods (IATA DGR List of Forbidden Articles) absent from this shipment?
Has a certified dangerous goods acceptance check been completed by a DGR-trained staff member?

Access Control & Chain of Custody

Verify that screened cargo is protected from unauthorized access from screening point to aircraft tendering.

Is the cargo screening area secured and accessible only to TSA-credentialed personnel during screening operations?
Is screened cargo stored in a secured, access-controlled area after screening and prior to airline tendering?
Has a continuous chain of custody been maintained for this cargo from shipper acceptance through screening completion?
Are all personnel who handled or screened this cargo on file as cleared in the TSA Security Threat Assessment (STA) database?
Is the cargo tendering manifest signed by both the IAC screener and the receiving airline representative?

Screening Equipment & Facility Compliance

Confirm that screening equipment, facility conditions, and security technology meet TSA CCSP standards.

Is all screening equipment operational with no outstanding maintenance alerts or fault codes?
Has daily operational testing of X-ray or EDS equipment been completed and logged with pass results?
Are CCTV cameras operational and recording in all cargo screening and storage areas?
Is the facility's TSA-approved Air Cargo Security Program document current, available on-site, and implemented as written?
Are all screeners current on required TSA-mandated training with valid certifications on file?
Please provide a photo of the screening equipment operational display or test log for this screening session.

Incident Reporting & Screening Closeout

Document any security incidents, compliance findings, and confirm final screening record completeness.

Were any prohibited, suspicious, or undeclared items discovered during the screening of this shipment?
If a security incident occurred, has it been reported to TSA and local law enforcement within the required timeframe?
Has the screening record for this shipment been completed with screener ID, method, result, and timestamp?
Has cargo that failed screening or was refused been properly segregated and labeled to prevent accidental tendering?
Please provide any additional observations, incidents, or operational notes from this screening session.

Related Transport & Logistics Checklists

Related Freight Checklists

Why Use This Air Cargo Security Screening Checklist [FREE PDF]?

This air cargo security screening checklist [free pdf] helps freight & logistics teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for transportation coordinator professionals, this checklist covers 38 critical inspection points across 7 sections. Recommended frequency: per event.

Ensures compliance with TSA 49 CFR Part 1548 - Indirect Air Carrier Security, TSA 49 CFR Part 1544 - Aircraft Operator Security: Air Carriers and Commercial Operators, IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) 65th Edition, DOT 49 CFR Part 175 - Carriage by Aircraft - Hazardous Materials, TSA Air Cargo Security Program - Certified Cargo Screening Program (CCSP). Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Air Cargo Security Screening Checklist [FREE PDF] cover?

This checklist covers 38 inspection items across 7 sections: Known Shipper & Account Verification, Cargo Documentation Review, Physical Cargo Screening, Hazardous Materials & Dangerous Goods Review, Access Control & Chain of Custody, Screening Equipment & Facility Compliance, Incident Reporting & Screening Closeout. It is designed for freight & logistics operations and compliance.

How often should this checklist be completed?

This checklist should be completed per event. Each completion takes approximately 25-40 minutes.

Who should use this Air Cargo Security Screening Checklist [FREE PDF]?

This checklist is designed for Transportation Coordinator professionals in the freight & logistics industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.

Can I download this checklist as a PDF?

Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.