INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF FREIGHT FORWARDERS ASSOCIATIONS (FIATA) 國際貨運代理協會聯合會 Updated 5 Oct 2026 · EU Regulatory Alert: New Haulier Approval Requirements from 1 January 2027
FIATA draws members’ attention to an important change to
European Union aviation security requirements taking effect on 1 January 2027, which
may affect the road transport of secure air cargo and mail.
From this date, air cargo and mail consignments that have already undergone the
required security controls may only be transported within the European Union
by:
·
a
regulated agent,
using its own means and resources as covered by its security programme and
approval; ·
a
known consignor,
using its own means and resources to transport cargo or mail originating from
itself; or ·
an
approved haulier
that has been approved by the relevant national Appropriate Authority and has
entered into the required transport agreement. What
is a regulated agent, known consignor or approved haulier?
In practical terms, regulated
agents are entities approved by the relevant Appropriate
Authority to apply aviation security controls to air cargo or mail and can
include freight forwarders, logistics providers, air carriers and handling
agents. Known consignors
are entities whose sites and procedures have been approved so that cargo
originating from them may be recognised as secure. Approved hauliers are
surface transport operators approved by the relevant Appropriate Authority to
transport air cargo and mail to which security controls have already been
applied.
Further details on the applicable requirements can be found in points 6.3 (Regulated Agents), 6.4
(Known Consignors) and 6.5 (Approved Hauliers) of the Annex
to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1998.
What freight forwarders
should do now
Where secure cargo or mail is transported by a haulier that has not been
approved by the relevant Appropriate Authority, the consignments will need to
undergo security screening again before being loaded onto an aircraft. In
addition, the existing Attachment 6-E haulier declaration will cease to be
accepted from 1 January 2027.
With the deadline approaching, FIATA encourages freight forwarders handling air
cargo in the EU to review their arrangements with road transport providers and
take action sufficiently in advance of 1 January 2027.
In particular, freight forwarders should:
·
Identify
hauliers used to transport secure air cargo and mail and establish whether they intend
to continue carrying such consignments after 31 December 2026. ·
Verify
the approval status of relevant hauliers and, where necessary, encourage
them to contact the competent national Appropriate Authority regarding the
approval process. ·
Review
operational arrangements and contracts to identify where the new
requirements could affect existing transport chains. ·
Plan
for potential contingencies, particularly where hauliers may not obtain approval before
the deadline.
Failure to prepare may result in consignments requiring additional security screening,
with possible consequences for costs, handling times and the timely movement of
air cargo.
FIATA therefore encourages members to engage with their hauliers and other relevant
air cargo partners as soon
as possible, rather than waiting until the end of the
transition period.
Further information
The requirements are set out in point 6.5.1 of the Annex to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1998,
as amended by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1255 of
3 May 2024.
Members should also consult the guidance and requirements of the Appropriate
Authority in the relevant EU Member State, as the approval process for
hauliers is administered at national level.
FIATA will continue to monitor the
implementation of these requirements and their impact on freight forwarders.
Members experiencing implementation challenges or seeking further information
are encouraged to contact FIATA at legal@fiata.org. |