AIR SECURITY: VALIDATION OF THE BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP ON AIR EXPORTS

As part of the reinforcement of security and compliance requirements, a new step is added to the processing of air exports as of 21 September 2026: the validation of the business relationship with the client, to be entered on the Security Accompanying Document (security certificate or Air Waybill).

CONFIRM THE BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CLIENT

For each air export operation concerned, it is now necessary to confirm that the business relationship with the client is established and validated, by entering the information provided for this purpose on the Security Accompanying Document (DAS). Three rules apply according to the client account opening date:

• Accounts opened before 1 September 2024: the DSAC considers that the business relationship is established.
• Accounts opened as of September 2024: a payment from the client must have been received, and their bank details must be traceable.
• New account openings since 21 September: the request can only be validated upon receipt of the account opening form duly completed by the client.

CODES TO BE INDICATED ON THE DAS

To harmonize practices, one of the following four codes must be entered on the Security Accompanying Document to certify the validation of the business relationship: EBR OK, EBR Y, RCE OK, or RCE Y (RCE meaning “Relation Commerciale Établie”, Established Business Relationship). All four are valid and the choice is free. It is indicated next to the information relating to the securing of the cargo.

In the event of the handover of unsecured cargo to an airline, these same codes must be communicated to the company’s representative, who will thus be able to confirm the business relationship is duly established, in accordance with the requirements in force.

THE REGULATORY CONTEXT

In 2024, emergency amendments required that shipments to the United States be handed over to the airline with a document called EBR (Established Business Relationship). It indicated to the airline that the shipment came from a client known and identified as such by the freight forwarder. The last of these amendments expired on 1 May 2025, and the EBR is no longer required by airlines.

Since 19 May 2025, measures pursuing the same objective have been incorporated into the annex of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1998. They apply to all shipments and for all destinations. The verification of the existence of an established business relationship is therefore no longer the responsibility of airlines, but of regulated agents.

This development aims to formalize the knowledge of clients and partners, to strengthen the traceability of operations, and to guarantee compliance with security requirements and procedures in force.

In practical terms, this means that freight forwarders must have up-to-date information about their customers, particularly regarding their identification, contact information, and certain administrative and financial data necessary to substantiate the existing business relationship – including bank account information.

Over the next few months, our teams may need to request certain documents or additional information in order to update your file. This process will have no impact on the quality of service or the handling of your shipments; it is intended solely to meet our regulatory obligations and ensure the compliance of our operations.

We thank you in advance for your cooperation and the trust you place in our teams.