Safety & Security

For Air France KLM Martinair Cargo a safe flight comes first and foremost. It is our responsibility to make sure that every plane - whether it has passengers and cargo on board or cargo only - gets to its destination safely and securely. Every day. 24/7.

It goes without saying that we comply with all worldwide legislation and regulations. In addition, we only work with licensed partners and forwarders. Still, we understand that there is a lot to know when it comes to shipping cargo and we are happy to share our knowledge with you.

Flight Safety and Occupational Safety go hand in hand. In addition to ensuring a safe flight, it is important to ensure a safe and healthy workplace for all those involved in the logistics chain.

Safety is a joint responsibility of all partners. Please take that responsibility seriously. As do we.

Dangerous Goods

At Air France KLM Martinair Cargo, flight safety comes first. Some items may endanger the safety of an aircraft or persons on board. In addition, air transportation of certain materials can either be forbidden or restricted. That is why we pay close attention to all cargo that we bring on board, especially dangerous goods.

The laws and regulations concerning dangerous goods are extensive and complex. For instance, some substances may only be transported in certain quantities, substances may be excluded for certain destinations and a number of dangerous goods may only be transported by freighter. Even though the laws and regulations are complex, they have to be fully complied with by all parties in the supply chain.

The IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations Manual (DGRM) lists all goods that are considered potentially hazardous to aviation. Make sure that you know how to classify dangerous goods, how to pack them and whether or not it is a shipment that may only be carried on a cargo aircraft (CAO).

In the Dangerous Goods Declaration (Shipper Declaration), you declare to be sure that your shipment meets all requirements. This means that you take full responsibility, and therefore also liability, for the safety of your shipment. Still, if Air France KLM Martinair Cargo has any doubts regarding your cargo, we will immediately stop the process, which may result in a delay.

Lithium

Not all people are fully aware that lithium batteries are considered dangerous goods. Yet, they can pose a serious safety risk, which means that the preparation for transport, as well as the transportation itself is bound to specific transport regulations. The measures you need to take depend on the type, size and number of batteries you want to ship.

Specific rules and regulations apply to the air transportation of lithium (batteries). Please check the IATA webpage on lithium batteries to make sure you are compliant.

Weight & Balance

For Air France KLM Martinair Cargo it is of utmost importance that all planes get to their destination safely and securely, whether it has passengers and cargo on board or cargo only.

An essential part of that is knowing the exact weight and balance on board. Since a pilot calculates the speed of take off by the weight of the plane, a dangerous situation might occur when the plane is heavier or lighter than stated in the documents.

This is why it is your obligation to inform Air France KLM Martinair Cargo accurately about the volume and weight of your shipments. We ask you to take that responsibility seriously, as do we. This means that if we would find a discrepancy between your shipment and its documents we will take your shipment out of the process immediately, which will cause a delay.

Let us work together to make sure all shipments get to their destination safely and on time!

Security Regulations

Air cargo security is an integral part of all processes at AFKLMP Cargo. This is to provide you with information about our security approach and activities at AFKLMP Cargo and to keep you up to date on the latest developments and news in airfreight security.

In the past decade, regulatory requirements for transportation security have increased significantly, placing greater demands on all logistics providers in the industry. AFKLMP has been recognized as an industry leader when it comes to air cargo safety and security. We continuously upgrade our security concept and set international benchmarks.

All cargo to be forwarded on an aircraft must have been screened in accordance with the ICAO Annex 17 and the EU regulations 300/2008 and 1995/2015. Both the ICAO and EU regulations have the concept of secure chain responsibility for air cargo. This concept means that, after initial screening, validated supply chain parties are allowed to push cargo through the cargo process without necessary rescreening. The secure chain concept is less time consuming and more costs efficient for all parties in the air cargo supply chain. To become a validated party in the secure chain, the entity has to be validated by an independent (EU) validator.

In all cases where cargo is accepted, either the physical Consignment Security Declaration (CSD) must be available, or the security status and screening method is shown in the FWB which shall be checked by the GHA. In addition, all information that is available on paper CSD needs to be captured in the FWB as well.
A stamp on the airwaybill is NEVER considered a CSD. Either the actual CSD is available, or the correct security data is in the FWB.

AFKLMP is a recognized industry leader in the pre-loading air cargo process and tooling. This means all air cargo needs to have an assessment complete status prior to acceptance in our network. An assessment complete status means that all electronical shipment data has been screened by relevant authorities and/or AFKLMP compliance experts. For more information about the pre-loading air cargo process and tooling of AFKLMP, please contact your local customer service organization.

US restrictions:
The United States Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has issued requirements for cargo shipments on passenger carriers traveling to or through the United States of America and originating in one of the countries designated by the TSA. These requirements mandate that cargo shall only be tendered from shippers with whom the forwarder has an Established Business Relationship (EBR).
To comply with this requirement, effective 23 September 2024, Air France KLM Martinair Cargo forwarding partners must confirm they have verified that all shipments are from shippers that meet the new EBR criteria by providing the signed IATA standard EBR statement.

For any question about the EBR process, please check our FAQ below.

FAQ

Does the EBR requirement apply to AVI?

AVI is NOT exempted and for every animal (MAWB) transported to or through the USA, the EBR declaration MUST be available.

Can we use an EBR statement on pallet level?

NO, the EBR statement MUST be available on MAWB level.

Is non-continental France part of the 55 (RUN, FDF, PTP, CAY, etc)?

- Although they not talk about continental Europe only, the indicated risk is on continental Europe. With that this regulation does not apply to RUN, FDF, PTP, CAY.
- When cargo originates in the EU, CIS countries, Russia or Turkey and is destined for RUN, FDF, PTP, CAY and TRANSITS though the USA, the EBR regulation applies.

Who is authorized to sign the EBR document?

TSA only mentions “the forwarder” must sign. Not the operator of the means of transport meaning the truck driver. Since filling out the EBR statement and signing it is a legal disclaimer that all mandatory checks have been executed, it can vary whoever actually signs the statement.

What shall be in de FWB OCI line?

- OCI                          (only needed if this is the first OCI line)
- <country code>        US as it is for US customs only
- AGT                         as you as GHA add this info on behalf of AGT/FFW based on accompanying declaration
- EBR-Y                      content (EBR stands for established business relation)
Example: OCI/US/AGT//EBR-Y

Is EBR required at HAWB level?

No, EBR is requested for AWB and MAWB level, even for integrators (FEDEX, DHL and UPS). The assessment is about all ‘shippers´ associated to the (M)AWB have an EBR.

Is there an exemption for shipments booked on FF?

No, same procedure for PAX or FF.

Can the EBR be drafted on the AWB instead of the form?

NO, because we need to file an industry format agreed with TSA. Also it needs to be archived separately.

Are there any EBR exemptions?

EBR do not apply to mail, diplomatic pouches, and all U.S. government shipments tendered on a U.S. Government Bill of Lading or an air waybill where a U.S. Government entity is listed as the shipper.

Is EBR required for shipment accepted before 23rd September but having a booking on a flight after 23rd September?

No, the implementation date, 23rd September, means the date of acceptance, therefore the EBR is requested for shipments accepted as of 23rd September.

Is it allowed to allow GHA entry for shipments that do not have an EBR (status FOH)?

Yes, this is allowed when the GHA can ensure full compliance with the regulations and can ensure that such shipment will not get RCS status before receiving the EBR.

Does this rule apply to Canada as well?

Currently this regulation is only for shipment to/thru the US. The same rule will might be requested soon by Canadian authorities but for now there´s no indication of a timeline for this. AFKL compliance will communicate accordingly.

Will AFKL have to provide the EBR form at acceptance?

No, EBR form must be provided by the forwarder at cargo acceptance customer for each AWB/MAWB.

Is there a French translation of the CIB : in progress?

Yes, as from the next revision the text will also be in French.

If GHA is not able to capture the AGT field or if the AGT field already captured with any other data?

The GHA can either: add the AGT field through their own system for issuing Handler FWB message, OR use Verifly for AFKL shipments.

If EBR statement is included in FWB (OCI) do we need paper form of EBR?

Since there is no electronic form (yet) and no electronic signature (yet) we need the physical (paper) EBR document.

What about shipment traveling under ATA carnet?

Shipments traveling under a carnet are subject to the regulations, the regulations cover the origin / last point of departure with regards to the country list. The Customs status is irrelevant.

Do we accept different worded or formatted EBR statements from forwarders?

No, we only accept the from distributed by IATA since this one is legally agreed upon by TSA and IATA representing the airlines.

How many copies of the form must be sent to whom, who will administer it, where and how will the data received be stored?

We need to receive one copy per (M)AWB. This document will be stored at origin where the cargo is accepted and retained for 120 days.

Who and how will assess and review whether it is filled in correctly and whether all of the requested documents are present or correct?

Our GHA staff accepting cargo into our network coming from the 55 mentioned countries including the HUBS AMS and CDG.

Can an EBR be offered digitally when customers offer their shipments with full digital documentation (EAW)?

YES this is allowed, however in that case the GHA shall print this document for archiving, AND the digital form must be a scan of a hand-signed document.

Who is responsible for issuing the EBR statement when forwarders without an AF/KL account offer their shipments to forwarders holding an AF/KL account?

The forwarder holding the AF/KL account and offering the shipments to AF/KL per MAWB is responsible for issuing the EBR statement.

Can the shipper be of non-EU origin?

Yes, this is no problem. Shippers may come from any origin, but when the shipment originates from one of the 55 listed countries, an EBR statement must be available.

Is an EBR statement also necessary for personal effects?

AF/KL is of the opinion that 'personal effects' can never match the requirements for the EBR restriction. Therefore, it is not allowed to offer 'personal effects.' Also, 'personal effects´ is a commodity description that is considered a vague description and therefore not allowed anyway.

Screening Facilities

At both the cargo hubs in Amsterdam, The Netherlands and Charles de Gaulle, France we apply the Remote Explosive Scent Trace Detection (REST) / Remote Air Sampling for Canine Olfaction (RASCO) screening method. This is a screening method where Explosive Detection Dogs (EDD) are being used to screen complete ULD´s and even truckloads. All air cargo in the AFKLMP supply chain require a Secure Passenger Aircraft (SPX) security status prior transportation on an AFKLMP aircraft.

Physical Health

Together we improve physical health!

Would you like to help us, other Cargo chain partners, including your own people to keep the physical labour manageable?

You can be of great service to us by ensuring that the principles of healthy lifting and carrying are observed when packing your shipments.
This is done, by taking a maximum lifting weight per package into account, and by clearly indicating this weight on the packaging.

In addition, size and type of packaging are also important.
Use packaging that is easy to handle manually and/or suitable for lifting by forklift.

All this is important to control physical strain and promote the health of your and our employees.
From your focus on social responsibility, you undoubtedly pay attention to such matters.

By providing attractive, safe and healthy working conditions, we prevent employees from dropping out.
We also ensure that people continue to make the choice to work in the sector.

Together we ensure that our employees come to work and return home healthy.

Contact

In case of any questions about above-mentioned subjects, please contact your local customer service organization.

Please note this is not a comprehensive overview of laws and regulations that may apply to air transport. Air France KLM Martinair Cargo cannot be held responsible for the correctness, nor completeness, of the information provided.

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