Known Shipper Program
Encyclopedia
In response to the September 11, 2001 attacks
on the World Trade Center
in New York City
, the United States Department of Homeland Security
(DHS) implemented new rules to insure the safety of domestic and international air travel in the United States
. The rules of this program are administered by the Transportation Security Administration
(TSA), who is responsible for the oversight of all transportation security, including truck, rail and ocean, as well as air.
While the specifics of the security program are restricted, the multi-layered program effectively eliminates the anonymous shipment of all documents, parcels, counter-to-counter package
s and freight on both passenger and cargo-only flights originating within the U.S. Such anonymous shipments were frequent in the years prior to 2001 and led to growing concern in Congress and amongst the general public about the overall security of air travel.
In the post-September 11th era, shippers who have been properly vetted with the TSA by an air carrier or freight forwarder are considered a Known Shipper with the TSA. Such shippers may tender their freight for shipment on both passenger and cargo-only aircraft, with some restrictions. Available alternatives for Unknown Shippers to ship via air are now very limited. Collectively, this program is known within the industry as the Known Shipper Program.
September 11, 2001 attacks
The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks (also referred to as September 11, September 11th or 9/119/11 is pronounced "nine eleven". The slash is not part of the pronunciation...
on the World Trade Center
World Trade Center
The original World Trade Center was a complex with seven buildings featuring landmark twin towers in Lower Manhattan, New York City, United States. The complex opened on April 4, 1973, and was destroyed in 2001 during the September 11 attacks. The site is currently being rebuilt with five new...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, the United States Department of Homeland Security
United States Department of Homeland Security
The United States Department of Homeland Security is a cabinet department of the United States federal government, created in response to the September 11 attacks, and with the primary responsibilities of protecting the territory of the United States and protectorates from and responding to...
(DHS) implemented new rules to insure the safety of domestic and international air travel in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The rules of this program are administered by the Transportation Security Administration
Transportation Security Administration
The Transportation Security Administration is an agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that exercises authority over the safety and security of the traveling public in the United States....
(TSA), who is responsible for the oversight of all transportation security, including truck, rail and ocean, as well as air.
While the specifics of the security program are restricted, the multi-layered program effectively eliminates the anonymous shipment of all documents, parcels, counter-to-counter package
Counter-to-counter package
In the airline and some other transportation industries, a counter-to-counter package is a quicker alternative to standard freight for the shipment of small parcels and envelopes...
s and freight on both passenger and cargo-only flights originating within the U.S. Such anonymous shipments were frequent in the years prior to 2001 and led to growing concern in Congress and amongst the general public about the overall security of air travel.
In the post-September 11th era, shippers who have been properly vetted with the TSA by an air carrier or freight forwarder are considered a Known Shipper with the TSA. Such shippers may tender their freight for shipment on both passenger and cargo-only aircraft, with some restrictions. Available alternatives for Unknown Shippers to ship via air are now very limited. Collectively, this program is known within the industry as the Known Shipper Program.