WCO

The WCO is an intergovernmental organization headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, established in 1952 as the Customs Co-operation Council (CCC) that facilitates global trade, security, and customs compliance among its 185 member countries. The WCO works on customs-related matters including commodity classification, valuation, rules of origin, supply chain security, international trade facilitation, customs enforcement activities, and maintains the international Harmonized System (HS) goods nomenclature. The organization collaborates with ICAO on air cargo security initiatives, including the development of Pre-loading Advance Cargo Information (PLACI) standards that require airlines and freight forwarders to submit a specific 7+1 data set before cargo loading to identify potential security threats.

A Lufthansa Cargo shipment with AWB number 020-12345675 flying from Frankfurt (FRA) to Los Angeles (LAX) must comply with U.S. ACAS requirements by submitting PLACI data including consignor name, consignee name, commodity description, piece count, and weight at least 4 hours before departure. An Emirates SkyCargo shipment with AWB prefix 176 departing Dubai (DXB) for London Heathrow (LHR) must provide similar advance cargo information to EU customs authorities through the ICS2 system as part of the WCO-endorsed PLACI security framework.

• World Customs Organization
• Kyoto Convention

What is the WCO SAFE Framework and how does it affect air cargo operations?

The SAFE Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade was adopted by the WCO in 2005 and focuses on supply chain security, offering guidelines and standards that help customs authorities enhance security measures while facilitating legitimate trade. The SAFE Framework includes standards for PLACI (Pre-loading Advance Cargo Information) that require air cargo operators to submit a 7+1 data set before loading cargo onto aircraft for security risk analysis.

What are the current WCO PLACI programs that air cargo operators must comply with?

Four major PLACI regimes are currently live worldwide: the U.S. Air Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS) program, the EU Import Control System 2 (ICS2), Canada's Pre-Load Air Cargo Targeting (PACT) program, and the UAE's National Advance Information Centre (NAIC). The United Kingdom operates PreDICT (Pre-Load Data Informed Cargo Targeting) as well.