The International Air Transport Association (Iata) has warned of a growing risk to air cargo safety and security from undeclared and misdeclared dangerous goods. In a new white paper, Iata highlights the limitations of existing aviation security screening processes in detecting the full range of dangerous goods. The paper calls for a comprehensive, multilayered approach to counter the risks from unauthorised dangerous goods. Iata represents more than 370 airlines accounting for about 85% of global air traffic.
Iata's white paper, Safety & Security in the Cargo Supply Chain, notes that existing security screening systems were designed primarily to detect explosives and other security threats, not the full range of dangerous goods. The global air cargo and mail supply chain faces an evolving combination of safety and security risks arising from undeclared, misdeclared or "deliberately weaponised" goods. The rapid growth of e-commerce, widespread use of lithium batteries, and increasingly complex supply chains have intensified these risks.
More than 80% of the 3,465 incidents relating to dangerous goods reported to Iata during the first half of 2025 involved undeclared dangerous goods. Lithium batteries and concealed hazardous commodities, including e-cigarettes, perfumes and aerosols, are among the main concerns. Iata's primary concern is not the legitimate transport of such goods but the introduction of unauthorised dangerous goods into the supply chain.
Brendan Sullivan, Iata's global head of cargo, emphasised that every part of the supply chain has a role to play in identifying and stopping incidents as soon as possible. "Dangerous goods are transported safely by air every day," he said. "The risk comes when they enter the system undeclared or incorrectly declared." Sullivan stressed that security screening is one layer of protection but not a complete solution.
Iata calls for a layered, risk-based approach across the supply chain to prevent or identify unauthorised dangerous goods at the earliest point possible. Governments are urged to provide strategic direction, co-ordinated oversight and proportionate enforcement. Manufacturers, online marketplaces, retailers, shippers, postal operators, freight forwarders, ground handlers, airports and aircraft operators can assist by collectively applying controls appropriate to their responsibilities and risk exposure.
Priority measures recommended by Iata include shipper education, competency-based training, enhanced documentation and acceptance controls, commodity and customer profiling, automated data analysis, accurate product information, effective reporting, information sharing, quality assurance, regulatory co-ordination, and appropriate fire mitigation measures. By integrating safety, security, intelligence, operational controls and supply chain assurance, stakeholders can reduce unauthorised dangerous goods while maintaining the safe, secure, efficient and economically sustainable movement of global air cargo and mail.
The white paper concludes that a comprehensive approach can mitigate the risks from undeclared and misdeclared dangerous goods. Iata's call for action aims to ensure that the air cargo supply chain remains safe and secure. The organisation's efforts focus on preventing incidents and protecting the integrity of the global air cargo and mail supply chain.
Key points
- Iata reports over 80% of 3,465 incidents in the first half of 2025 involved undeclared dangerous goods.
- Iata calls for a multilayered approach to counter risks from unauthorised dangerous goods.
- The air cargo supply chain faces evolving safety and security risks from undeclared, misdeclared or "deliberately weaponised" goods.
