When you send your parcels from one place to another, you generally outsource this job to a logistics agent. Have you ever wondered how your parcels are shipped? Are you also worried about their safety? Security is one aspect that must rank high when you choose your logistics partner to ship goods to another location.
Your parcels must reach their destination safely without any compromise in their quality. Hence, you must ensure that you have taken all the right steps to ensure their secure dispatch. It is all about the proactive measures you take while shipping. This article discusses how you can keep your air cargo safe during freight shipping.
Directions to Ensure the Safety of Your Air Cargo During Transit
Air cargo shipments are generally products that are of greater value than other smaller shipments transported via land or sea. Hence, these goods always have to go through tight scrutiny and they become vulnerable to tampering and stealing. According to the US Government Accountability Office (US GAO), there have been over 400 air cargo accidents and over 900 incidents since 1997. These numbers raise serious concerns about the security of air cargo in transit.
Despite the strict regulations that govern air cargo, businesses should be taking proactive measures and extra steps to ensure their shipment’s security.
Here are some steps that you can deploy in your shipping process to make sure that your air cargo reaches its destination safely and securely:
- Analyse, audit, and process to identify the potential threats:
The shipment process must be analysed thoroughly from the beginning to the end. All the security threats are to be thought of, and extra precautions are to be taken wherever necessary. This plan must be continuously revisited to stay on top of all types of security concerns. Your team must be trained well enough to take care of issues relevant to all types of security threats.
- Use a layered approach:
A layered approach provides your shipment with different levels of security, thereby protecting your air cargo better. By combining different packaging tools and sealing your cargo with security seals and tamper-evident tape, you can keep your air cargo more protected. You can also secure the aircraft door, the container itself, and the individual units for better results.
- Using barcodes and digital tracking tools:
Cargo theft is very concerning and can cost your business large amounts. Using barcodes and digital records can add a layer of security to your cargo. People will not be able to falsify your records and infiltrate your shipments when you secure them so well.
- Make use of tamper-evident seals:
In 2014, CargoNet was receiving around 100 complaints in a month for cargo theft. But now, they are taking in over 220 cargo theft complaints a month. Their analysis of the fourth-quarter data of 2023 showed that cargo theft increased by 68% year-over-year compared to 2022. What’s more surprising is that in the first 20 weeks of 2023, they saw a 41% increase in cargo theft as compared to the 20 weeks before that.
The tamper-evident seals help you deter theft, as the burglars will not be able to break into your shipment without leaving behind some evidence. Padlock seals, blots, pull-tight seals, etc., are the most common forms of tamper-evident seals used to secure air cargo.
- Get your air cargo insured:
Air cargo insurance protects both the buyer and seller of the goods in transit. It protects your goods from loss, damage, and even shipment delays in some cases. Most air freight companies will provide a minimum amount of air cargo insurance for all air freight. This air cargo insurance is known as the carrier liability. Moreover, many big shipping companies may look for additional protection that is offered by insurance companies, freight forwarders, and even trade-service intermediaries. You must remember that the insurance premium will differ depending on the coverage you’re seeking. The nature of items in the shipment, where they are shipped, and the route they’ll take will also influence the insurance premium.
Some additional ways to keep your cargo safe include the following:
- Instead of letting lower freight costs attract you, find reliable and trusted partners. This will ensure the security of your air cargo and prevent liability issues. Lower freight rates will save you money in the short run, but it may be an expensive mistake in the long run.
- Keep your air cargo moving even though preloading is a popular time-saving strategy. Fully loaded trailers that are left unattended create a great opportunity for air cargo theft. You should define the time limit as to how long you will leave the loaded trailer unattended before hauling the cargo away.
- Verify the contact information of the shipping company’s representative you’re dealing with to confirm he works in that firm. This will help you catch identity theft. This way, you can protect your air cargo from being stolen by burglars posing as company representatives.
Conclusion
With the advancement in technology, shipping via air has become rather easy. However, the security of air cargo has become a concern. Technological advancement has made it easier for thieves to steal without any trace. Thus, acting proactively is essential to keep your cargo safe. You can conduct audits and understand the potential threats while shipping by air and take the necessary precautions to avoid them. Using barcodes and tamper seals can also help you add a layer of protection. Thus, all forms of security and safety measures must be incorporated while shipping your cargo across borders. It is equally necessary to partner with a trustworthy and efficient air cargo service provider for safely shipping your goods. If you are looking for a reliable international air cargo shipping service, then Shiprocket’s CargoX is your ideal partner. They ensure swift and safe transportation of goods to more than 100 overseas locations.
