The Regulated Air Cargo Agent Regime (RCAR) is a security measure to enhance air cargo security on commercial passenger aircraft. Singapore is implementing the RCAR with effect from 1 April 2008.
The Singapore Police Force and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore have been consulting and working closely with the industry for many months to prepare for RCAR. A successfully pilot has also been ongoing since 1 Oct 2007.
The RCAR is based on the underlying principle that an aircraft shall operate in a secured environment, thereby requiring consignments of cargo transported on commercial passenger aircraft to be subjected to some degree of security measures before they are loaded onto the aircraft. Security measures will be used to screen and clear cargo. Cargo that has been cleared shall then be protected from unlawful interference or contamination until they are loaded onto the aircraft.
As part of the regime, each Regulated Air Cargo Agent (RCA) is required to submit a Security Programme (SP) that specifies the measures and procedures that the Regulated Cargo Agent (RCA) employs in handling, clearing, storing, securing and transporting cargo from the time the cargo is accepted by the RCA until it is lodged at the air freight terminal or handed over to another RCA.
The RCA SP will contain details of the RCA and its operations as well as a list of security personnel, known consignors and third party service providers. In addition, it also specifies the standards of protection for cargo including the physical security of the premises.
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