IATA has called for more to be done across the supply chain to tackle the risks from undeclared and misdeclared dangerous goods.
The airline association today published a whitepaper in which it argued for a stronger and more collaborative multilayered approach to dangerous goods.
The call comes amid discussions among regulators on the role of existing aviation security screening processes as a key line of defence.
“IATA stresses that security screening is an important layer of protection, but not a primary solution,” the association said.
IATA global head of cargo Brendan Sullivan added: “Dangerous goods are transported safely by air every day. The risk comes when they enter the system undeclared or incorrectly declared.
“Every part of the supply chain has a role to play in identifying and stopping such incidents as soon as possible. Security screening, which is primarily focused on terror threats, is one layer of protection against rogue shippers, but it is not a complete solution.
“A comprehensive multi-layer approach beginning as far upstream the supply chain as possible is essential.”
IATA said that Dangerous Goods Regulations enable the safe passage or properly declared shipments. However, the issue often stems from hidden items.
Figures from the airline association show that in the first half of 2025, some 80% of incidents reported to IATA that involved dangerous goods stemmed from undeclared or hidden dangerous goods.
“Lithium batteries and other concealed hazardous commodities, such as undeclared e-Cigarettes and aerosols, were among the products most commonly identified,” IATA said.
IATA said that existing security controls, including cargo screening, may provide an additional opportunity to identify anomalies and intercept some unauthorised dangerous goods.
However, screening should not be regarded as the sole or primary solution. Current cargo screening technologies, certification standards, algorithms and training programmes were primarily developed to detect weapons, explosives and other security threats.
Therefore, in the white paper, IATA urged governments to strengthen oversight and enforcement of dangerous goods requirements; Manufacturers and online marketplaces to ensure dangerous goods are correctly identified; shippers, freight forwarders, and postal operators to strengthen training and acceptance controls and enhance the use of customer and shipment data; airlines and ground handlers to strengthen checks before cargo is loaded; and airports to improve coordination and information sharing across the cargo community.
