Mandatory Pre-load Air Cargo Targeting

Summary#

These are final changes to the Canadian Aviation Security Regulations, 2012 that make the Pre-load Air Cargo Targeting (PACT) program mandatory for cargo coming into Canada. Starting April 1, 2025, air carriers must send pre-loading cargo information to Transport Canada and follow its instructions (including screening or not loading cargo) before cargo is put on Canada-bound planes.

What it does#

• Creates Part 12 of the regulations to require air carriers transporting cargo on flights from outside Canada to provide 8 pieces of pre-load cargo information (PLACI) before loading. The required items include:
  • the air waybill number;
  • the shipper’s name and address;
  • the consignee’s name and address;
  • a description of each piece of cargo;
  • the number of pieces; and
  • the total weight.
• Allows Transport Canada to:
  • assess that information using an automated system (including AI-powered analytics);
  • request additional information (RFI) or request cargo be screened (RFS);
  • issue a “Do Not Load” (DNL) notice if a cargo item is judged a security risk.
• Clarifies Part 11 so cargo and mail rules apply to flights departing Canada. Mail and passenger baggage remain outside the new inbound PLACI rules.
• Requires carriers to give the Minister the flight details after departure and to name a principal contact who is available at all times.
• Adds enforcement tools: administrative monetary penalties (AMPs) of up to $25,000 for serious breaches (e.g., transporting cargo that must not be transported or failing to screen when directed) and up to $10,000 for other failures to provide information or updates.
• Comes into force on April 1, 2025.

Who's affected#

• Air carriers that transport cargo to Canada (Canadian and foreign carriers on inbound flights). They are ultimately responsible for sending PLACI and complying with mitigation instructions.
• Freight forwarders and other supply‑chain service providers, which may submit data on behalf of carriers but do not carry the regulatory responsibility unless authorized by the carrier.
• Shippers and consignees may be indirectly affected when carriers are asked for additional documents or if a shipment is held back.
• Transport Canada will run the program and the automated risk-assessment system.
• The role of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is noted as separate; CBSA’s eManifest serves different customs purposes and is not replaced by PACT. (If this is unclear in specific cases, stakeholders should consult the Technical Implementation Guide.)

Why it matters#

• It puts a mandatory, pre-loading check on nearly all cargo coming into Canada. That means security risks can be spotted and dealt with before a plane departs, rather than after it arrives.
• For the public: it is intended to reduce the risk of explosives or other threat items being shipped into Canadian airspace.
• For businesses: carriers and some supply-chain partners will face new operational steps, modest setup and transmission costs, and the possibility of AMPs for non-compliance. The government estimates total incremental costs of about $5.4 million over 10 years (about $4.5 million to government and $0.9 million to industry).
• For operations: carriers will get an immediate confirmation of receipt and may receive requests or a DNL. There is an “assessment complete” message, but carriers are not always required to wait for it before loading unless other instructions are outstanding.
• The regulation aims to align Canada with international PLACI practices used by partners such as the United States and the European Union, while preserving separate roles for customs and aviation security.