Disruptive Breakthrough – 1^st sharing of Hong Kong RACSF

The worldwide logistics security standard is escalating, and there is no way Hong Kong will be left behind. Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department (HKCAD) announced their latest indication of catching up the world aviation security standard in a seminar on mid-September, mentioned a policy named Regulated Air Cargo Screening Facility (RACSF).

The industry should be familiar with this policy, since

• In 2008, International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) commented Hong Kong Aviation Security Program is having conflicting of interest between Regulated Agent (RA) and their Known Consignor (KC); and
• In 2013, the launching of ACC3 program* from European Union.

Therefore, the industry already realised our aviation security programme is not up to global standards. The scheme of RACSF is established as a mean to reach this international standard. This off-airport air cargo security screening facility proposal supposes to become the alternative of the Account Consignors (named as known consignors in Hong Kong formally), which will no longer be accepted by other states in 2021. HKCAD aimed to have a gradually approach, for adjustment of air export cargo security screening ration (i.e. QCP) from 1% to 100%, starting from 2018 to 2021 with various stages. HKCAD hosted seminars from July to September regarding of RACSF, so the industry can have a better understanding for the proposal. Along with the emerge of RACSF, the industry immediately raised many concerns. There are 2 burning major concerns as followings.

*ACC3- ‘Air Cargo or Mail Carrier operating into the Union from a Third Country Airport’

 

Cost and Returns

So what does this content mean to the industry? ‘Extra Cost ‘. The cost is not only limited to money, but also ‘Time’ and ‘Effort’. New business opportunities are coming along with harmonising money, time and effort, when it allies with the market needs. Some private investors are already investing on building screening centers (i.e. private in-town terminal operation model).

Below, there is a list of minimum requirement of RACSF warehouse, including;

1. Physical security (i.e. Interior and exterior for the warehouse),
2. Access control,
3. Screening, cargo handling and storage process control
4. Personnel recruitment and training,
5. Expenses about screening system (e.g. X-ray machine, screener and procedure),
6. Transportation security,
7. Contingency plan, and more…

 

How to apply for RACSF

After accomplishing the minimum requirements of RACSF, submitting application form is the last step. The scheduled day for accepting application will be around mid-October. There are two critical facts about the application. First, the status of RACSF is site-specific. Meaning that applicants need to obtain individual certification of RACSF if there are a number of warehouse under to the same applicant.

Second, there are two application routine made for different applicants. Depends of whether or not the site obtained x-ray equipment, applicants should prepare accordingly and reserve time for execution from the authority.

 

For those who do not own an x-ray machine yet;

1. Getting “Technical Requirements for X-ray Equipment from HKCAD”
2. Submitting RACSF application form

Then HKCAD will;

3. Vetting and inspecting your proposed site
4. Approving “Acceptance-in-Principle”

After HKCAD finished their part, you can;

5. Obtaining X-ray equipment and engaging security screeners

Before your site is registered as RACSF, HKCAD will conduct pre-registration inspection and point out the aspects to be modified or improved in your site.

For those who already own X-ray equipment in their site;

1. Getting “Technical Requirements for X-ray Equipment from HKCAD”
2. Submitting RACSF application form

Then HKCAD will:

3. Vetting your site; in the meantime, you can start engaging security screeners

Before your site is registered as RACSF, HKCAD will conduct pre-registration inspection and point out the aspects to be modified or improved in your site.

Direction of SCSA to go for sharing with the industry

There are still many concerns remained unmentioned regarding RACSF, so we believe the best way to go is joining with policy maker, industry practitioner, and industry experts. SCSA is participating in par to the information source, (i.e. ICAO AVSEC Symposium), benchmarking with other countries’ best practices, and we exchange relevant knowledge with our members.

In July 2018, ‘RACSF Concern Group’, which included elite logistics practitioners from Supply Chain Safety & Security Association, was formed that aimed to discuss and tackle some cross industry problems (e.g. Transportation, Land supply, Manpower, Business modeling…etc.). By now, we are already discussing details about establishing a model of public RACSF warehouse.

We, SCSA, are providing opportunities for our members to engage in various training, such as TAPA, Li-Cat, the coming soon RACSF training etc. Moreover, SCSA is building up a network gathering a group of practitioners and professionals. By joining our membership, you will enjoy all of these benefits and even more.

By providing first hand information and identify the best-fit practice, SCSA will help you face this challenge ahead, and also enhance your growth.

If you want to join SCSA, you can contact us at info@scsasecurity.org or (852) 2750 5358.

 

大破大立 – RACSF對您的影響

全球物流安全標準不斷提升，香港不可能在此落後於人。香港民航處（HKCAD）於9月中旬在研討會上公佈了他們的最新指引。為了達到與世界航空安全標準的水平，提到了一項名為管制空運貨物安檢設施（RACSF）的政策。

業界對此應該並不陌生，皆因：

• 在2008年，國際民用航空組織（ICAO）評論香港的航空保安計劃在受監管代理人（RA）及其已知發貨人（KC）之間存在利益衝突；以及
• 在2013年，歐盟啟動了ACC3計劃*。

因此，業界已經意識到我們的航空保安計劃未達到全球標準。這個RACSF計劃是作為達到這一國際標準的辦法而建立的。 這種機場外空運貨物安全檢查設施的方案將會代替在2021年不被他國所接受的帳戶托運人（在香港的正式命名為已知托運人）。HKCAD旨在逐步採取措施，將空運出口貨物安全檢查比率（即QCP）從2018年的1％調整至2021年的100％。HKCAD於7月至9月舉辦了有關RACSF的研討會，令業界可以更好地了解該提案。 隨著RACSF的出現，業界隨即提出了許多擔憂。 而有兩個主要關注點如下。

* ACC3-‘從第三國機場進入聯盟的航空貨運或郵遞員’

成本和回報

那麼這些內容對業界意味著什麼呢？「額外成本」。 成本不僅限於金錢，還包括“時間”和“精力”。 當付出的金錢時間和精力與市場所需吻合，新商機便會接踵而來。 一些私人投資者已經正在投資建設安檢設施中心（即市內私人運作終端的模型）。

下面列出了RACSF倉庫的最低要求，包括：

1.物理安全（即倉庫的內部和外部）、

2. 出入管制、

3.篩選，貨物處理和存儲過程控制、

4.人員招聘和培訓、

5.關於篩查系統的費用（例如X光機，篩選器和程序）、

6.運輸安全、

7.應急計劃等等……

 

 

如何申請RACSF

在完成RACSF的最低要求後，提交申請表是最後一步。接受申請的預定日期將在10月中旬左右。關於該應用程序有兩個重點。首先，RACSF的資格是特定於站點的。這意味著如果同一申請人有多個倉庫，申請人需要為每個倉庫分別申請RACSF認證。

其次，針對不同的申請人有兩種申請用程序。取決於該倉庫是否已經擁有X光機設備，申請人應做好相應準備，並預留時間予當局的行政程序。

 

對於那些還沒有擁有X光機的申請人；

1. 取得”Technical Requirements for X-ray Equipment from HKCAD”
2. 提交RACSF申請表

然後HKCAD將會；

3. 審核並檢查您的倉庫
4. 批准”Acceptance-in-Principle”

在HKCAD完成他們的部分之後，你可以；

5. 獲得X光機並聘請安全檢查員

 

而在您的倉庫註冊為RACSF之前，HKCAD將進行註冊前檢查，並指出您的倉庫中需要修改或改進的地方。

 

對於已經擁有X光機的申請人；

1. 取得”Technical Requirements for X-ray Equipment from HKCAD”
2. 提交RACSF申請表

然後HKCAD將會；

3. 審核您的倉庫;與此同時，您可以開始聘請安全檢查員

 

而在您的倉庫註冊為RACSF之前，HKCAD將進行註冊前檢查，並指出您的倉庫中需要修改或改進的地方。

 

SCSA與行業共步的方向

有關RACSF仍有許多問題尚未被提及，因此我們認為最好的方法是加入與決策者，業界從業者和業界的專家的圈子。SCSA參與在信息來源（即ICAO AVSEC研討會）當中汲取和衡量其他國家優秀的做法，並與我們的成員交流有關的知識。

“RACSF關注組” 於2018年7月成立，其中包括供應鏈安全與安全協會的精英物流從業人員，旨在討論和解決一些跨行業問題（如運輸，土地供應，人力，商業建模等） 到目前為止，我們已經在討論有關建立RACSF共享倉庫的細節。

我們SCSA正為會員提供參與各種培訓的機會，例如TAPA，Li-Cat，即將到來的RACSF培訓等。此外，SCSA建立一個網絡，聚集了一群從業者和專業人士。加入我們的會員，您將享用以上所有，甚至更多的好處。

通過提供第一手資料並確立最佳的實踐，SCSA將幫助您應對未來的挑戰之餘，亦促進您的發展。

如果您想加入SCSA，可以通過info@scsasecurity.org或（852）2750 5358與我們聯繫。