Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Report Warns of Problems with Known Shipper Program

A report by the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) identifies shortcomings in the Known Shipper Program, the mechanism used by DHS to seek to ensure that all cargo flown on passenger planes comes from a known source. The report concludes that DHS falls short of that goal, and identifies problems with each method allowed by the Transportation Security Administration to determine whether a shipper is known. The report also warns that shortcomings in TSA's approach may allow any shippers, including terrorists or criminals, to obtain known shipper status and therefore to ship cargo on passenger flights. For the full report, click here.