CCSP TSA Regulations & Compliance Requirements 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the CCSP, what is the consequence for an aircraft operator that accepts cargo from a non-certified facility and presents it as screened?
- A written warning for the first offense only
- Civil penalties up to the maximum allowed under 49 USC 46301 (Correct answer)
- Mandatory suspension of all cargo operations for 30 days
- Referral to the FAA for license revocation
Correct answer: Civil penalties up to the maximum allowed under 49 USC 46301
Aircraft operators that violate TSA cargo security regulations, including falsely presenting cargo as screened, face civil penalties under 49 USC 46301.
Question 2: Which TSA-approved screening technology is commonly used by CCSFs to detect threat items concealed within cargo pallets or large shipments?
- Passive millimeter-wave imaging
- X-ray or CT (computed tomography) equipment (Correct answer)
- Explosive trace detection swabs only
- Metal detectors
Correct answer: X-ray or CT (computed tomography) equipment
X-ray and CT scanning equipment are the primary TSA-approved technologies used by CCSFs for imaging cargo contents to detect concealed threats.
Question 3: Under TSA regulations, how long must a CCSF retain records related to cargo screening activities?
- 6 months
- 1 year
- 2 years (Correct answer)
- 5 years
Correct answer: 2 years
TSA regulations require CCSFs to maintain cargo screening records for a minimum of 2 years to support audits and investigations.
Question 4: What is required when a CCSF transfers screened cargo to another CCSF before the cargo reaches the aircraft operator?
- The receiving CCSF must re-screen all transferred cargo
- A documented chain of custody transfer must occur between the two facilities (Correct answer)
- TSA must be notified of the inter-facility transfer within 1 hour
- The cargo must be resealed with TSA-issued tamper-evident tape
Correct answer: A documented chain of custody transfer must occur between the two facilities
When screened cargo passes between CCSFs, a documented chain of custody transfer is required to maintain the cargo's screened status.
Question 5: A CCSF's TSA compliance inspection reveals a pattern of employees skipping the required cargo documentation check. What regulatory violation does this most directly represent?
- Failure to comply with the facility's TSA-approved security program (Correct answer)
- An OSHA workplace safety violation
- A breach of IATA dangerous goods regulations
- Non-compliance with CBP import requirements
Correct answer: Failure to comply with the facility's TSA-approved security program
Employees skipping required documentation checks violates the procedures outlined in the facility's TSA-approved security program, which is the regulatory baseline for CCSF operations.
Question 6: Under TSA regulations, which entity has authority to conduct unannounced inspections of a Certified Cargo Screening Facility?
- The FAA Flight Standards District Office
- The TSA (Correct answer)
- The aircraft operator that accepts the facility's cargo
- US Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
Correct answer: The TSA
TSA holds authority to conduct unannounced compliance inspections of CCSFs at any time to verify adherence to security program requirements.
Question 7: What must a CCSF do before implementing a significant change to its screening procedures or equipment?
- Notify all aircraft operator customers by email
- Obtain TSA approval for the amendment to its security program (Correct answer)
- File a notice with the FAA's cargo safety division
- Wait for the next annual review cycle before making changes
Correct answer: Obtain TSA approval for the amendment to its security program
Material changes to a CCSF's screening procedures or equipment require TSA approval via an amendment to the facility's security program before implementation.
CCSP TSA Regulations & Compliance Requirements 4
Under the CCSP, what is the consequence for an aircraft operator that accepts cargo from a non-certified facility and presents it as screened?