Principle # 1: Know the Customer

Principle # 1- Concept

Without a clear understanding and definition of customer requirements, a secure, high-velocity air cargo supply chain cannot be established and sustained. To gain that understanding requires constant research and collaboration with supply chain partners, the construction of an information infrastructure to capture transaction data, and the storage and analysis of these data from a strategic, tactical and operational perspective.

Further, the needs of the customer must be understood within the context of the supply chain system within which it operates, the products it ships and the threats to which they are vulnerable that can vary considerably from location to location and time to time. All of these requirements must be thoroughly understood to establish the foundation for constructing responsive, efficient, secure supply chains.

Principle # 1 - Application to the Air Cargo Supply Chain

Supply chain security and logistics requirements vary greatly by type of shipper, commodity or product, operating location and destination. For example, the logistics and screening requirements for perishable flowers, certain fruits and live foodstuffs (i.e., Maine lobsters) which are packaged in boxes, crates and tanks respectively are very different than those for high-value semiconductor chips which are susceptible to electronic discharge and may be shipped in special, palletized containers. Other examples include jewelry, fine art and human remains, which are often shipped by air and must have special handling protocols because post screening re-inspection in the event of an alarm is problematic. All demand the speed of delivery provided by air freight, but storage and handling protocols, scanning and secure sealing techniques, and the chain of custody for each are very different.

These industry-specific requirements call for the development and use of unique procedures, security protocols, sealing and identification technologies and transportation strategies designed to speed processing and ensure the chain of custody from the shipper to the carrier. In turn, requirements will influence, and in some cases dictate, the supply chain management strategy. It is therefore imperative that shippers, air cargo logistics services providers and their industry associations work closely with the TSA to establish practical standards as quickly as possible if the impending deadline is to be met.