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Overall Description of Deadline: Sec 1602 of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (Pub. L. 110-53, 121 Stat. 266, 478, Aug. 3, 2007) requires that the Secretary of Homeland Security establish a system to screen 50 percent of cargo on passenger aircraft not later than 18 months after the date of enactment and 100 percent of such cargo not later than 3 years after the date of enactment.

Statement of Need: TSA will establish a system to screen 100 percent of cargo transported on passenger aircraft operated by an air carrier or foreign air carrier in air transportation or intrastate air transportation to ensure the security of all such passenger aircraft carrying cargo. The system shall require, at a minimum, that equipment, technology, procedures, personnel, or other methods approved by the Administrator of TSA, are used to screen cargo carried on passenger aircraft to provide a level of security commensurate with the level of security for the screening of passenger checked baggage.

Summary of the Legal Basis: 49 U.S.C. 114; sec 1602 of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (Pub. L. 110-53, 121 Stat. 266, 478, 10/3/2007)

Anticipated Costs and Benefits: TSA estimates the cost of the rule will be $3.0 billion (discounted at seven percent) over ten years. TSA analyzed the alternative of not establishing the Certified Cargo Screening Program (CCSP) and, instead, having aircraft operators and air carriers perform screening of all cargo transported on passenger aircraft. Absent the CCSP, the estimated cost to aircraft operators and air carriers is $8.5 billion (discounted at seven percent) over ten years. The bulk of the costs for both the CCSP and the alternative are attributed to personnel and the impact of cargo delays resulting from the addition of a new operational process.