Air freight security.

Air freight security is an integral part of all processes at Lufthansa Cargo. This page serves to provide you with information about our security approach and activities at Lufthansa Cargo and to keep you up to date on the latest developments and news in air freight security.

In the past decade, regulatory requirements for transportation security have increased significantly, placing greater demands on all logistics providers in the industry. 

Lufthansa Cargo has been recognized as an industry leader when it comes to air freight safety and security. We continuously upgrade our security concept and set international benchmarks.

Fast, flexible logistics are essential in global competition, particularly when transporting goods of high value. Security is therefore an integral part of all Lufthansa Cargo processes and is a key characteristic of quality in an unbroken transport chain.

We offer a premium security service at all our stations. In addition, our Frankfurt, Munich and New York stations have been transformed into security hubs. Our most important activities in this field include employing state-of-the-art security technology and IT systems, researching new technologies in cooperation with leading industry partners, giving our employees intensive training and integrating additional security measures in our handling processes.

Lufthansa Cargo does not pay mere lip service to security ‒ we have made it an integral part of our corporate culture and the quality we promise. 

More information

LBA
ECAC
IATA
TSA
EU-Commission
EU-Regulations
Safe/td1
DELVAG
Lufthansa Group Code of Conduct

FAQs: Certification for known consignors.

The transitional period for known consignors ended on April 28, 2013. The security declarations previously submitted by many consignors were no longer valid after this date. 

Here you can find answers to frequently asked questions on this topic.

What has changed since April 29, 2013?

April 28, 2013 marked the end of the transitional period for implementing the EU regulations on supply chain security. After this date, the security declarations previously submitted to regulated agents were no longer valid. Since March 29, 2013, only companies that have been approved by the authorities as known consignors are certified to deliver secure air freight.

What can/do I have to do?

If you want to your air freight to be handled in the secure supply chain, you must apply to become a known consignor by registering with and being granted approval from your national aviation security authority. The respective authority in Germany is the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA). Otherwise, your shipments will be subject to the usual security screening procedures on arrival. Certification is not mandatory. It is ultimately up to you to decide whether your freight volume warrants certification.

Download: Information on certification for “known consignors”

Who should apply for certification?

We especially recommend certification if you

• regularly ship freight by air
• ship temperature-sensitive goods
• ship goods with a high material density
• ship goods in packaging that must remain unopened
• ship goods that cannot be screened or are difficult to screen.

Is there a checklist for known consignor certification?
A guide is available on the LBA website.

Where can I find the EU central database of approved known consignors?
If you are a regulated agent, you can access information on known consignors here.

Who has access to this database?
Only regulated agents currently have access to this database!

Security technology at Lufthansa Cargo.

We employ a range of modern technical control systems to ensure that your freight is secure before it goes on board.

X-ray equipment.

X-ray equipment with dual view technology has two independent x-ray sources for screening freight. The cross-section of the tunnel that can be scanned is approximately 175 cm.

Explosives detection systems.

Our explosives detection systems can detect even the tiniest traces of explosives on and inside packaging. 

Explosives detection dogs.

Our explosives detection dogs work unleashed and can quickly and safely detect dangerous substances such as explosives concealed in a wide variety of cargo.

ACC3? What is it all about?

Are you worried because you have heard about new security requirements for air cargo transported to or via Europe? Is your company affected? Need to know if you could miss a deadline? Here are the most important facts in a nutshell:

Following an incident in October 2010, the EU Commission supplemented its aviation security regulations with requirements for EU-bound air cargo and mail. The full scope of the regulations must go into effect by July 1, 2014.

Who is affected? Mainly air carriers. They need to make sure that their ground operations in non-EU countries for cargo and mail are validated (certified) by an independent entity.

Are shippers and freight forwarders also affected? If all cargo is screened at an airport, the answer is no. However, if cargo travels along a “secure supply chain,” certification as a known consignor or regulated agent may be advisable.

Example: Shipper “Acme Pineapple” tenders its goods via freight forwarder “Ultimate Shipping” on pre-fabricated aircraft pallets. In order to avoid the need to open up consignments at the airport for screening, “Acme Pineapple” must be certified as a “third country EU aviation security validated Known Consignor (KC3)and “Ultimate Shipping” as a“third country EU aviation security validated Regulated Agent” (RA3)). If the shipper has no certification, the RA3 can perform the screening at its premises if this is part of its certification.

Who is authorized to perform the shipper or forwarder certification? The International Air Transport Association (IATA) offers a list of providers on its website (www.iata.org). 

Are there any exemptions? Yes! The EU regulations include a list of countries that are not affected by these regulations. The list is not public.

How do I know if my country of residence is on that list or if I should pursue certification as an RA3 or KC3? Ask your nearest Lufthansa Cargo office. They can answer your questions or establish contact with an aviation security expert at headquarters.