Freight Shipping Forum

The TSA rules for being a known shipper seem to change monthly. We have been trying to become a "known shipper" for weeks now and the process is cumbersome. Shipping air freight which for us isn't often becomes limited because we can't put air freight on a passenger plane and has to be put on a cargo plane which costs more and has limited flight avalibility. Anyone have some air freight imput here?

Unless you are doing 20-30 shipments per month in air freight the TSA puts you at the bottom of the stack of becoming a "Known Shipper" The TSA likes to deal with forwarders this is where the accountability lies to make you a "Known Shipper". This can be accomplished usally within 24-48 hours but can take as long as 7 days with sight inspection. The vast majority of freight on passanger planes is through forwarders excluding human remains, flowers and seafood. It is the forwarders job to get you all the paperwork for the TSA and do the sight inspection of your facility. The easiest example to give you is when you purchase a house you use a realtor. A forwarder is like your realtor for air freight on a passanger plane.

The good thing about using a 3PL is that they can arrange to have a cartage company pick up your freight. If the cartage company is TSA certified, then the air carrier can pick up directly from their dock, if not, the cartage can deliver to the 3PL's warehouse and it can be picked up from there.

Airguru,

Looks like the name is fitting! Thanks for the detailed info about TSA rules. I see that they are floating rules and always subject to change. Talking about a moving target. I might lean on you here sometimes for Air Freight questions as we do very little air freight shipping and are completely oblivious to current TSA rules and regs. I did see some stuff posted here on this website http://www.saveonfreight.com/shipping-tips/ but I can't find it now.

Valve Man