Update on New TSA Requirements – Established Business Relationship Confirmation

The TSA has issued new requirements for cargo shipments on passenger carriers travelling to or through the USA and originating in one of the countries designated by the TSA.

These requirements mandate that cargo may only be tendered from shippers with whom the forwarder has an Established Business Relation (EBR).

To comply with this requirement, effective September 23, 2024, freight forwarders must confirm they have verified that all shipments are from shippers that meet the new EBR criteria as detailed below.

Please review the below information carefully and provide the required confirmation beginning September 23, 2024 in order to avoid shipments being refused.

With each master waybill (MAWB), the forwarder must provide confirmation that it has verified that all shippers associated with the MAWB meet at least one of the following EBR criteria:

  1. The shippers is a Known Consignor under the security program of a national authority
  2. The shipper has an account with the forwarder that was established prior to September 2, 2024 and contains at least one of the following:

    a) The shipper’s shipping and billing address and documented payment or credit history
    b) Documented sales history, including any relevant contacts or activities
    c) Other documented business correspondence or records

  3. For shippers who became customers after September 2, the forwarder must have records of the following information:

    a) A business or corporate registration certificate, license, or record
    b) Business or corporate information, including name, address, phone number, and email
    c) Contact information for an authorised point of contact for the account
    d) Payment information (e.g. a corporate credit card)
    e) A signed contract between the shippers and the forwarder

To meet this requirement, forwarders must submit their confirmation via a Freight Forwarder Declaration form.

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BIFA is aware that there are minor variations between airlines on, for example, the wording of the EBR declaration. Our advice is that contact should be made with carriers prior to shipment.