EU Air Cargo Security Requirements

Air carriers that fly cargo or mail into the EU from a non-EU airport are required to comply with the EU ACC3 programme for inbound cargo and mail.

ACC3 designation is required for each non-EU airport from which an air carrier flies cargo or mail to the EU.

ACC3s must ensure that all cargo and mail is physically screened according to EU standards or comes from an EU aviation security validated secure supply chain (via validated third country entities, RA3s or KC3s).

A link to the IATA website page setting out these requirements in more detail can be found here.

Click on the link below to view the public part of the “Union database on supply chain security” where you can find:
  • The full WW list of ACC3 designations, per airline, per airport
  • The full WW list of RA3/KC3 designations per country
  • The full list of accredited EU ACC3 validators
  • Validation checklist for ACC3
  • Validation checklist for RA3
  • Validation checklist for KC3

Union database on Supply Chain Security

National Regulated Agents, Known Consignors and Known Suppliers Within the EU

‘Regulated agent’ means an air carrier, agent, freight forwarder or any other entity who ensures security controls in respect of cargo or mail. The Regulated agent must apply security controls or screening and must physically protect the cargo and mail from the time that the security controls/screening were applied and until loading on an aircraft.

‘Known consignor’ means a consignor who originates cargo or mail for its own account and whose procedures meet common security rules and standards sufficient to allow carriage of cargo or mail on any aircraft. The known consignor shall apply security controls and shall physically protect the cargo and mail from the time that the security controls were applied and until loading on an aircraft.

Suppliers that deliver supplies to an airport, or inflight supplies to an air carrier or regulated supplier need to have its supplies screened before entering a security restricted area or to be approved as a known supplier. ‘Known suppliers’ need to apply security controls to the supplies and to physically protect the supplies from the time that the security controls were applied until arrival at the security restricted area.

Regulated agents and Known consignors need to be approved by the EU appropriate authority after an on-site validation by the EU appropriate authority, or by an EU aviation security validator acting on its behalf.

You will find the EU validators on the EU Database here.

Known suppliers are designated by the airport operator or the air carrier or Regulated supplier after a validation which must be performed by a national auditor, an EU aviation security validator, or a person acting on behalf of the air carrier or airport operator appointed and trained for that purpose.