A move to increase cargo screening at Hong Kong, the world’s busiest cargo airport, is set to start this month, which could have an impact on airfreight from the region over the coming months.

The first phase of this implementation requires that 25 percent of air export cargo is regularly being x-rayed by the end of February. This is followed by three more phases that should result in 100% cargo screening by March 2021.

Hong Kong handled a record 5.1 million tons of cargo last year but only a small percentage of that volume is currently screened. The requirement to meet this target is based on rules set out by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in 2016.

Without full x-ray procedures, Hong Kong currently has a short cut-off time prior to departure that averages four hours and is now expected to increase. This has been seen as a major advantage over Chinese airports that are already fully screening and that have a set 24-hour cut-off for cargo acceptance.

Following a huge investment in X-ray machines, training and general enhanced security measures, costs will inevitably have to be passed through to the shipper or their customer. Levels are still under review and we will be monitoring developments closely.

The scale of Uniserve’s operation in Hong Kong, being master loaders, utilising our own equipment and being based at the airport, should enable us to avoid the full extent of any cost impact, as we continue to offer the most flexible range of airfreight solutions from the region.

Uniserve Group’s airfreight team have been BIFA airfreight award winners on a record breaking five occasions. For further information on our extensive range of airfreight products, please call 01753 287900 or email info@ugroup.co.uk.

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