§ 1549.101 Acceptance, screening, and transfer of cargo.

(a) Preventing or deterring the carriage of any explosive or incendiary. Each certified cargo screening facility must use the facilities, equipment, and procedures described in its security program to prevent or deter the carriage onboard an aircraft of any unauthorized explosives, incendiaries, and other destructive substances or items in cargo onboard an aircraft, as provided in the facility's security program.

(b) Screening and inspection of cargo. Each certified cargo screening facility must ensure that cargo is screened and inspected for any unauthorized explosive, incendiary, and other destructive substance or item as provided in the facility's security program before it is tendered to another certified cargo screening facility, an aircraft operator with a full program under part 1544, a foreign air carrier operating under §§ 1546.101(a) or (b), or an indirect air carrier operating under § 1548.5 for transport on a passenger aircraft. Cargo that the facility represents as screened, must be screened in accordance with this part.

(c) Refusal to transport. Each certified cargo screening facility must refuse to offer to another certified cargo screening facility, an aircraft operator with a full program under part 1544, a foreign air carrier operating under §§ 1546.101(a) or (b), or an indirect air carrier operating under § 1548.5 for transport on a passenger aircraft any cargo, if the shipper does not consent to a search or inspection of that cargo in accordance with this part, or parts 1544, 1546, or 1548 of this chapter.

(d) Chain of custody. Each certified cargo screening facility must protect the cargo from unauthorized access from the time it is screened until the time it is tendered to another certified cargo screening facility as approved by TSA, an indirect air carrier under 49 CFR part 1548, an aircraft operator under part 1544, or a foreign air carrier under part 1546.