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The International Air Transport Association called on supply chain industry players to collaborate more closely and undertake specific steps to address the risks and hazards from undeclared and mis-declared dangerous goods
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IATA emphasized security screening is not the sole and primary solution
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Existing cargo security screening systems are primarily designed to detect explosive devices and other security threats, not the full range of dangerous goods
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It lists the specific steps that different stakeholders can take, including government; manufacturers and online marketplaces; shippers, freight forwarders, and postal operators; airlines and ground handlers; and airports
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) called on supply chain industry players to collaborate more closely and undertake specific steps to address the risks and hazards from undeclared and misdeclared dangerous goods.
IATA, which represents over 370 airlines accounting for some 85% of global air traffic, made the statement amid discussions among regulators on the role of existing aviation security screening processes as a key line of defense.
It emphasized that while security screening is an important layer of protection, it is not a primary solution. This is because existing cargo security screening systems have been primarily designed to detect explosive devices and other security threats, not the full range of what are classified as dangerous goods.
IATA noted that while there are well-established Dangerous Goods Regulations for safe passage by air, a significant number of incidents — about 80% — reported to the organization in the first half of 2025 involved undeclared or hidden dangerous goods. Among the most common products are lithium batteries, e-cigarettes and aerosols.
“Dangerous goods are transported safely by air every day. The risk comes when they enter the system undeclared or incorrectly declared,” said Brendan Sullivan, IATA’s Global Head of Cargo.
READ: IATA updates cargo, ground operations standards in 2027 manuals
“Every part of the supply chain has a role to play in identifying and stopping such incidents as soon as possible. Security screening, which is primarily focused on terror threats, is one layer of protection against rogue shippers, but it is not a complete solution. A comprehensive multi-layer approach beginning as far upstream the supply chain as possible is essential,” Sullivan said.
Specific steps for stakeholders
IATA, through is recent white paper titled ‘Safety and Security in the Cargo Supply Chain’, presents the actions that different sectors involved in the supply chain can take as part of its proposed multi-layer approach. These are:
- Governments – Strengthen oversight and enforcement of dangerous goods requirements across the cargo supply chain.
- Manufacturers and online marketplaces – Ensure dangerous goods are correctly identified and certified (where necessary), and product information is accurate.
- Shippers, freight forwarders, and postal operators – Strengthen training and acceptance controls and enhance the use of customer and shipment data to identify higher-risk cargo before it reaches the airport.
- Airlines and ground handlers – Strengthen checks before cargo is loaded.
- Airports – Improve coordination and information sharing across the cargo community.
