Known Shipper

A known shipper is a TSA-approved status given to companies shipping air freight using the TSA's Known Shipper Management System. Known shippers can ship cargo on passenger aircraft departing from the United States, while unknown shippers are limited to cargo-only aircraft. Indirect air carriers must establish known shipper programs to determine shipper validity and integrity, and must separate known shipper cargo from unknown shipper cargo as required by 49 CFR 1548. Aircraft operators, foreign air carriers, and indirect air carriers must comply with specific security requirements to qualify their clients as known shippers.

A pharmaceutical company wanting to ship temperature-sensitive medications on United Airlines flight UA1234 from Chicago O'Hare (ORD) to Los Angeles International (LAX) must first be approved as a known shipper through an indirect air carrier's TSA security program. A semiconductor manufacturer shipping components on FedEx Express flight FX456 with AWB number 023-12345678 benefits from known shipper status, allowing their cargo on passenger aircraft rather than being restricted to cargo-only flights.

• KS
• established shipper
• secure origin
• approved shipper
• known shipper program

How long does it take to get known shipper approval through the TSA Known Shipper Management System?

TSA indicates that once a completed application is received, it may take approximately 90 to 120 days for final approval. Known shipper programs are conducted by aircraft operators, foreign air carriers, and indirect air carriers as required by their TSA-approved security programs under 49 CFR parts 1544, 1546, and 1548.

What happens if my company loses its known shipper status?

Unknown shippers have limited airline/routing options and sometimes shipping delays because their cargo can only move on cargo-only aircraft (freighters) which usually means higher prices. TSA can deny approval to a shipper through KSMS, and they can also revoke known shipper status if a shipper is not compliant.