Regulations last checked for updates: Oct 31, 2024

Title 49 - Transportation last revised: Oct 28, 2024
§ 1546.201 - Acceptance and screening of individuals and accessible property.

(a) Preventing or deterring the carriage of any explosive, incendiary, or weapon. Unless otherwise authorized by TSA, each foreign air carrier must use the measures in its security program to prevent or deter the carriage of any explosive, incendiary, or weapon on or about each individual's person or accessible property before boarding an aircraft or entering a sterile area.

(b) Screening of individuals and accessible property. Except as provided in its security program, each foreign air carrier must ensure that each individual entering a sterile area at each preboard screening checkpoint for which it is responsible, and all accessible property under that individual's control, are inspected for weapons, explosives, and incendiaries as provided in § 1546.207.

(c) Refusal to transport. Each foreign air carrier conducting an operation for which a security program is required by § 1546.101(a), (b), or (c) must refuse to transport—

(1) Any individual who does not consent to a search or inspection of his or her person in accordance with the system prescribed in this part; and

(2) Any property of any individual or other person who does not consent to a search or inspection of that property in accordance with the system prescribed by this part.

(d) Explosive, incendiary, weapon: Prohibitions and exceptions. No individual may, while on board an aircraft being operated by a foreign air carrier in the United States, carry on or about his person a deadly or dangerous weapon, either concealed or unconcealed. This paragraph (d) does not apply to—

(1) Officials or employees of the state of registry of the aircraft who are authorized by that state to carry arms; and

(2) Crewmembers and other individuals authorized by the foreign air carrier to carry arms.

§ 1546.202 - Persons and property onboard the aircraft.

Each foreign air carrier operating under § 1546.101(e) or (f) must apply the security measures in its security program for persons who board the aircraft for transportation, and for their property, to prevent or deter the carriage of any unauthorized persons, and any unauthorized weapons, explosives, incendiaries, and other destructive devices, items, or substances.

[71 FR 30512, May 26, 2006]
§ 1546.203 - Acceptance and screening of checked baggage.

(a) Preventing or deterring the carriage of any explosive or incendiary. Each foreign air carrier must use the procedures, facilities, and equipment described in its security program to prevent or deter the carriage of any unauthorized explosive or incendiary onboard aircraft in checked baggage.

(b) Refusal to transport. Each foreign air carrier must refuse to transport any individual's checked baggage or property if the individual does not consent to a search or inspection of that checked baggage or property in accordance with the system prescribed by this part.

(c) Firearms in checked baggage. No foreign air carrier may knowingly permit any person to transport, nor may any person transport, while aboard an aircraft being operated in the United States by that carrier, in checked baggage, a firearm, unless:

(1) The person has notified the foreign air carrier before checking the baggage that the firearm is in the baggage; and

(2) The baggage is carried in an area inaccessible to passengers.

§ 1546.205 - Acceptance and screening of cargo.

(a) Preventing or deterring the carriage of any explosive or incendiary. Each foreign air carrier operating a program under § 1546.101(a), (b), (e), or (f) must use the procedures, facilities, and equipment described in its security program to prevent or deter the carriage of any unauthorized person, and any unauthorized explosive, incendiary, and other destructive substance or item in cargo onboard an aircraft.

(b) Refusal to transport. Each foreign air carrier operating a program under § 1546.101(a), (b), (e), or (f) must refuse to transport any cargo, if the shipper does not consent to a search or inspection of that cargo in accordance with the system prescribed by this part.

(c) Control. Each foreign air carrier operating a program under § 1546.101(a), (b), or (e) must use the procedures in its security program to control cargo that it accepts for transport on an aircraft in a manner that—

(1) Prevents the carriage of any unauthorized person, and any unauthorized explosive, incendiary, and other destructive substance or item onboard the aircraft.

(2) Prevents access by unauthorized persons other than an authorized foreign air carrier employee or agent, or persons authorized by the airport operator or host government.

(d) Screening and inspection of cargo in the United States. For cargo to be loaded in the United States, each foreign air carrier operating a program under § 1546.101(1)(a), (b), (e), or (f) must ensure that cargo is screened and inspected for any unauthorized person, and any unauthorized explosive, incendiary, and other destructive substances or items as provided in the foreign air carrier's security program and § 1546.207, and as provided in § 1546.213 for operations under § 1546.101(a) or (b), before loading it on its aircraft in the United States.

(e) Acceptance of cargo only from specified persons. Except as otherwise provided in its program, each foreign air carrier operating a program under § 1546.101(a), (b), (e) or (f) may accept cargo for air transportation to be loaded in the United States only from the shipper, or from an aircraft operator, foreign air carrier, or indirect air carrier operating under a security program under this chapter with a comparable cargo security program, or, in the case of a foreign air carrier under § 1546.101(a) or (b), from a certified cargo screening facility, as provided in its security program.

(f) Acceptance of cargo to be loaded for transport to the United States. Each foreign air carrier subject to this part that accepts cargo to be loaded on its aircraft for transport to the United States must carry out the requirements of its security program.

(g) Screening of cargo loaded inside the United States under § 1546.101(a) or (b). For cargo to be loaded in the United States, each foreign air carrier under § 1546.101(a) or (b) must ensure that all cargo is screened in the United States as follows:

(1) Amount screened. (i) Not later than February 3, 2009, each foreign air carrier must ensure that at least 50 percent of its cargo is screened prior to transport on a passenger aircraft.

(ii) Not later than August 3, 2010, each foreign air carrier must ensure that 100 percent of its cargo is screened prior to transport on a passenger aircraft.

(2) Methods of screening. For the purposes of this paragraph (g), the foreign air carrier must ensure that cargo is screened using a physical examination or non-intrusive method of assessing whether cargo poses a threat to transportation security, as provided in its security program. Such methods may include TSA-approved x-ray systems, explosives detection systems, explosives trace detection, explosives detection canine teams certified by TSA, a physical search together with manifest verification, or other method approved by TSA.

(3) Limitation on who may conduct screening. Screening must be conducted by the foreign air carrier, by another aircraft operator or foreign air carrier operating under a security program under this chapter with a comparable cargo security program, by a certified cargo screening facility in accordance with 49 CFR part 1549, or by TSA.

(4) The foreign air carrier must verify that the chain of custody measures for the screened cargo are intact prior to loading such cargo on aircraft, or must ensure that the cargo is re-screened in accordance with this chapter.

[71 FR 30512, May 26, 2006, as amended at 74 FR 47704, Sept. 16, 2009; 76 FR 51868, Aug. 18, 2011; 76 FR 53081, Aug. 25, 2011]
§ 1546.207 - Screening of individuals and property.

(a) Applicability of this section. This section applies to the inspection of individuals, accessible property, checked baggage, and cargo as required under this part.

(b) Locations within the United States at which TSA conducts screening. As required in its security program, each foreign air carrier must ensure that all individuals or property have been inspected by TSA before boarding or loading on its aircraft. This paragraph applies when TSA is conducting screening using TSA employees or when using companies under contract with TSA.

(c) Foreign air carrier conducting screening. Each foreign air carrier must use the measures in its security program to inspect the individual or property. This paragraph does not apply at locations identified in paragraphs (b) of this section.

§ 1546.209 - Use of X-ray systems.

(a) TSA authorization required. No foreign air carrier may use any X-ray system within the United States to screen accessible property or checked baggage, unless specifically authorized under its security program. No foreign air carrier may use such a system in a manner contrary to its security program. TSA authorizes foreign air carriers to use X-ray systems for inspecting accessible property or checked baggage under a security program if the foreign air carrier shows that—

(1) The system meets the standards for cabinet X-ray systems primarily for the inspection of baggage issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and published in 21 CFR 1020.40;

(2) A program for initial and recurrent training of operators of the system is established, which includes training in radiation safety, the efficient use of X-ray systems, and the identification of weapons, explosives, and incendiaries; and

(3) The system meets the imaging requirements set forth in its security program using the step wedge specified in American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) Standard F792-88 (Reapproved 1993). This standard is incorporated by reference in paragraph (g) of this section.

(b) Annual radiation survey. No foreign air carrier may use any X-ray system unless, within the preceding 12 calendar months, a radiation survey is conducted that shows that the system meets the applicable performance standards in 21 CFR 1020.40.

(c) Radiation survey after installation or moving. No foreign air carrier may use any X-ray system after the system has been installed at a screening point or after the system has been moved unless a radiation survey is conducted which shows that the system meets the applicable performance standards in 21 CFR 1020.40. A radiation survey is not required for an X-ray system that is designed and constructed as a mobile unit and the foreign air carrier shows that it can be moved without altering its performance.

(d) Defect notice or modification order. No foreign air carrier may use any X-ray system that is not in full compliance with any defect notice or modification order issued for that system by the FDA, unless the FDA has advised TSA that the defect or failure to comply does not create a significant risk of injury, including genetic injury, to any person.

(e) Signs and inspection of photographic equipment and film. (1) At locations at which a foreign air carrier uses an X-ray system to inspect accessible property the foreign air carrier must ensure that a sign is posted in a conspicuous place at the screening checkpoint.

(2) At locations at which a foreign air carrier or TSA uses an X-ray system to inspect checked baggage the foreign air carrier must ensure that a sign is posted in a conspicuous place where the foreign air carrier accepts checked baggage.

(3) The signs required under this paragraph must notify individuals that such items are being inspected by an X-ray and advise them to remove all X-ray, scientific, and high-speed film from accessible property and checked baggage before inspection. This sign must also advise individuals that they may request that an inspection be made of their photographic equipment and film packages without exposure to an X-ray system. If the X-ray system exposes any accessible property or checked baggage to more than one milliroentgen during the inspection, the sign must advise individuals to remove film of all kinds from their articles before inspection.

(4) If requested by individuals, their photographic equipment and film packages must be inspected without exposure to an X-ray system.

(f) Radiation survey verification after installation or moving. Each foreign air carrier must maintain at least one copy of the results of the most recent radiation survey conducted under paragraph (b) or (c) of this section and must make it available for inspection upon request by TSA at each of the following locations—

(1) The foreign air carrier's principal business office; and

(2) The place where the X-ray system is in operation.

(g) Incorporation by reference. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard F792-88 (Reapproved 1993), “Standard Practice for Design and Use of Ionizing Radiation Equipment for the Detection of Items Prohibited in Controlled Access Areas,” is approved for incorporation by reference by the Director of the Federal Register pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. ASTM Standard F792-88 may be examined at the Department of Transportation (DOT) Docket, 400 Seventh Street SW, Room Plaza 401, Washington, DC 20590, or on DOT's Docket Management System (DMS) web page at http://dms.dot.gov/search (under docket number FAA-2001-8725). Copies of the standard may be examined also at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. In addition, ASTM Standard F792-88 (Reapproved 1993) may be obtained from the American Society for Testing and Materials, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959.

(h) Each foreign air carrier must comply with the X-ray operator duty time limitations specified in its security program.

[67 FR 8377, Feb. 22, 2002, as amended at 69 FR 18803, Apr. 9, 2004]
§ 1546.211 - Law enforcement personnel.

(a) At airports within the United States not governed by part 1542 of this chapter, each foreign air carrier engaging in public charter passenger operations must—

(1) When using a screening system required by § 1546.101(a), (b), or (c), provide for law enforcement officers meeting the qualifications and standards, and in the number and manner, specified in part 1542; and

(2) When using an airplane having a passenger seating configuration of 31 or more but 60 or fewer seats for which a screening system is not required by § 1546.101(a), (b), or (c), arrange for law enforcement officers meeting the qualifications and standards specified in part 1542 of this chapter to be available to respond to an incident and provide to appropriate employees, including crewmembers, current information with respect to procedures for obtaining law enforcement assistance at that airport.

(b) At airports governed by part 1542 of this chapter, each foreign air carrier engaging in scheduled passenger operations or public charter passenger operations when using an airplane with a passenger seating configuration of 31 or more and 60 or fewer seats under § 1546.101(c), must arrange for law enforcement personnel meeting the qualifications and standards specified in part 1542 of this chapter to be available to respond to an incident and provide to appropriate employees, including crewmembers, current information with respect to procedures for obtaining law enforcement assistance at that airport.

§ 1546.213 - Access to cargo: Security threat assessments for cargo personnel in the United States.

This section applies in the United States to each foreign air carrier operating under § 1546.101(a), (b), or (e).

(a) Before a foreign air carrier authorizes and before an individual performs a function described in paragraph (b) of this section—

(1) Each individual must successfully complete a security threat assessment or comparable security threat assessment described in part 1540 subpart C of this chapter; and

(2) Each aircraft operator must complete the requirements in part 1540 subpart C.

(b) The security threat assessment required in paragraph (a) of this section applies to the following:

(1) Each individual who has unescorted access to cargo and access to information that such cargo will be transported on a passenger aircraft; or who has unescorted access to cargo that has been screened for transport on a passenger aircraft; or who performs certain functions related to the transportation, dispatch or security of cargo for transport on a passenger aircraft or all-cargo aircraft, as specified in the foreign air craft operator's or foreign air carrier's security program; from the time—

(i) The cargo reaches a location where a foreign air carrier operating under § 1546.101(e) consolidates or inspects it pursuant to security program requirements, until the cargo enters an airport Security Identification Display Area or is transferred to another TSA-regulated aircraft operator, foreign air carrier, or indirect air carrier; or

(ii) A foreign air carrier under §§ 1546.101(a) or (b) accepts the cargo, until the cargo—

(A) Enters an airport Security Identification Display Area;

(B) Is removed from the destination airport; or

(C) Is transferred to another TSA-regulated aircraft operator, foreign air carrier, or indirect air carrier.

(2) Each individual the foreign air carrier authorizes to screen cargo or to supervise the screening of cargo under § 1546.205.

[74 FR 47705, Sept. 16, 2009]
§ 1546.215 - Known shipper program.

This section applies to each foreign air carrier operating a program under § 1546.101(a) or (b).

(a) For cargo to be loaded on its aircraft in the United States, each foreign air carrier must have and carry out a known shipper program in accordance with its security program. The program must—

(1) Determine the shipper's validity and integrity as provided in the foreign air carrier's security program;

(2) Provide that the foreign air carrier will separate known shipper cargo from unknown shipper cargo; and

(3) Provide for the foreign air carrier to ensure that cargo is screened or inspected as set forth in its security program.

(b) When required by TSA, each foreign air carrier must submit in a form and manner acceptable to TSA—

(1) Information identified in its security program regarding an applicant to be a known shipper or a known shipper; and

(2) Corrections and updates to the information upon learning of a change to the information specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section.

[71 FR 30512, May 26, 2006]
source: 67 FR 8377, Feb. 22, 2002, unless otherwise noted.
cite as: 49 CFR 1546.215