News
- Shanghai tightens Air Security
- 4/20/2010
Shanghai Tightens Air Security as Expo Approaches
Heightened security measures to be put into place in Shanghai for the six-month duration of Expo 2010 are likely to prove a headache for air freight exports out of the city, reports “IFW”. The new rules came into effect Thursday, and apply to all cargo passing through Shanghai’s Pudong International Airport during the massive world fair running from 1 May until 31 October. However, there remained some confusion about the regulations, and how they will be applied. One forwarder said there would be an additional 24-hour hold period applied to all shipments. However, handlers at the airport appeared to have a different interpretation of the rules, with Pudong Air Cargo Terminals (Pactl) posting the following instructions to airlines and forwarders: “According to the notice from the airport authority, Pactl will implement special security measures for cargo acceptance during Shanghai Expo, meaning all export cargo and mail will be checked and we don’t accept cargo needing 24-hour cooling. Cargo will also be checked randomly against explosives. If you have oversized cargo that must be shipped out, please contact the Air Defence Office.” A similar notice was posted by the airport terminal operator. “The tightening of security measures during Expo will, no doubt, affect normal operations.”