Safeguard Shipments with a TSA-Approved Indirect Air Carrier (IACSSP)

Just as the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) monitors every passenger and piece of luggage traveling through U.S. airports, they also manage the security of air cargo.

Indeed, air freight through the United States is highly regulated. That’s why anyone tendering cargo to an air carrier must first be accepted into the TSA’s Indirect Air Carrier (IAC) program.  

More technically, an IAC is “any person or entity within the United States, not in possession of a Federal Aviation Administration air carrier operating certificate, which undertakes to engage indirectly in air transportation of property and uses for all or any part of such transportation the services of an air carrier.” Learn more at tsa.gov.

Indirect Air Carrier Standard Security Program (IACSSP) is a security program developed and regulated by the TSA. Under the IACSSP, each IAC must adopt and carry out requirements as mandated under the US Code of Federal Regulations Title 49 Part 1548 (49 CFR 1548). Every IAC must apply with the TSA for annual status renewal.

Yes. The TSA approved AIT Worldwide Logistics as an indirect carrier (also knows as a “TSA IAC”) following the program’s inception in 2001. For more information about AIT’s IAC approval, contact one of our representatives.

AIT notifies our subcontracted carriers of any and all security obligations or requirements. Through our internal audit and subcontractor compliance programs, we also regularly monitor our agents, teammates, and contracted carriers for compliance with TSA requirements.

You can move cargo domestically without a TSA IAC; however, uncertified companies do not have access to as many options for air freight as approved TSA IACs. Additional benefits of choosing a TSA-approved IAC include the ability to meet tight deadlines and secure better rates via extra cargo space on passenger or commercial aircraft.

Long-standing, experienced logistics solutions providers, like AIT, are also more likely to offer TSA-certified cargo screening facilities, as well as licenses and certifications across a range of channels and commodities, from pharmaceuticals to food to hazardous materials.

In the interest of national security, the TSA prohibits IACs from releasing the contents and specific details of the IACSSP to the public. You can learn more at tsa.gov.