EU Regulatory Alert EU Air Cargo: 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 [email protected].