Simplifying Part 108 compliance

The imposition of the Part 108 air cargo security regulations next month (July) will make compliance an essential ingredient of the airfreight industry’s product mix, according to Jurie Koen, sales manager of Transit. “Our decision to be a ‘regulated agent’ as per Part 108 will enable our clients to operate as ‘unknown shippers’ – but with minimum delay and cost to their operations,” he told FTW. “We play a vital intermediary role. Freight tendered to Transit branches will be processed and tendered to the airline in compliance with Part 108.” But the compliance procedure has not been without its costs, Koen added. The company had to invest in X-ray equipment, X-ray operators, X-ray and Part 108 training, while at the same time beefing up security with additional cameras, response units and the like. It also had to redesign all its warehouses to conform with operational procedures, acquire new identity stickers and pay licence fees. “A Part 108 surcharge will be introduced with effect from July 1 this year,” said Koen, “to help us recover the initial outlay and assist with the ongoing operational costs.” In achieving Part 108 compliance, Transit has also had to create a management strategy to solve each of the security demands laid down in the new regulations. “Over the past two years we have made huge efforts to adjust and comply with security 108,” said Koen. “And during that time our policy has always been one of embracing the intent of the rules rather than opposing them or finding loopholes.”