The TSA has changed the rules for air cargo shipping beginning early next week in light of the discovery of two packages containing explosives shipped from Yemen to the United States.

These changes will impose additional requirements on carriers and forwarders who handle cargo coming into the USA by both passenger and all cargo carriers. The changes have the potential to delay cargo in transit or prohibit the cargo from moving altogether.

Intelligence is still being developed on these two bombs. The latest news is that the package found in the UK was allegedly timed to explode over the eastern United States. Importers who are moving cargo by air should anticipate potential delays and check with their forwarders on the impacts to their specific supply chains.