Aviation Security – Department for Transport (DfT) Withdrawal of the Account Consignor Scheme

As a regulated agent complying with all aspects of aviation security and air cargo screening, FedEx Express is notifying you that theDfT is withdrawing the Account Consignor scheme in its entirety with effect from 9 December 2011.

FedEx Express would be grateful if you could inform your personnel of the DfT’s decision and the subsequent redefinition of your status to ‘Unknown Consignor’. This is an industry-wide decision that affects all regulated agents and is not exclusive to FedEx Express. This change does not impact businesses already registered with ‘Known Consignor’ status.

The DfT’s decision to remove the Account Consignor scheme means that all presented cargo will be subject to more rigourous security checks and as a result certain commodities may take longer to clear. Whilst remaining compliant with all aspects of aviation security and air cargo screening, FedEx Express will ensure minimum delay to shipments.

As many consignors would like to avoid this, the DfT offers an option for consignors, where they are manufacturers or distributors, to submit cargo as secure from source under the Known Consignor scheme.

Guidance for prospective Known Consignors can be found on the DfT website www.dft.gov.uk/publications/guidance-for-known-consignors. This will help you assess your existing security arrangements against the required criteria and ensure that you can meet those requirements before arranging a validation visit.

If you would like to discuss the implications of the DfT decision or the impacts of becoming a Known Consignor in more detail, please do not hesitate to contact your local FedEx Account Executive or call Customer Service on 08456 07 08 09.