ACC3 VALIDATION PREPARATION · Aero Support Group FZCO · Updated 23 October 2026
What is ACC3?
ACC3 means Air Cargo or Mail Carrier operating into the Union from a Third Country Airport. A carrier needs ACC3 designation for each non-EU airport from which it carries cargo or mail to the EU, unless the airport or State is exempted in the Regulation.
The legal basis is Regulation (EC) No 300/2008 and point 6.8 of the Annex to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1998. Designation is made by the appropriate authority of the responsible EU Member State and recorded in the Union database on supply chain security.
Which Member State is responsible?
The Member State responsible for designating an ACC3 is determined in this order:
- the Member State that issued the carrier’s air operator certificate;
- for a carrier without an EU AOC, the Member State listed for it in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 748/2009;
- otherwise, the Member State where the carrier has its main base of operations in the EU, or the one it first arrives in.
Getting this wrong at the start costs weeks, because the application, the validator’s report and the security programme all go to that authority.
The ACC3 validation
- Security programme: the carrier submits an aviation security programme covering the airport of departure, following the template in Attachment 6-G.
- On-site validation: an EU aviation security validator, approved by a Member State under point 11.6, assesses the operation at that airport against the checklist in Attachment 6-C3.
- Report and designation: the validator’s report goes to the responsible authority, which designates the carrier and enters it in the Union database.
- Validity: up to five years. Revalidation is needed before expiry, or earlier if the operation changes materially.
What the validator looks for
- Who is responsible for cargo security at the airport and how the carrier oversees its handling agent.
- How cargo and mail are received, and how their security status is checked against the Union database (RA3, KC3) or established by screening.
- Screening methods and equipment appropriate to the cargo type, with records per consignment.
- Protection of secured cargo from acceptance to loading, including transport to the aircraft.
- Recruitment checks and training of staff with access to secured cargo.
- Handling of high-risk cargo and consignments referred through the pre-loading advance cargo information (PLACI) process under 6.8.7.
- Security status declaration on the consignment documentation.
Common gaps at validation
- The security programme describes the carrier’s head office rather than the outstation operation.
- The handling agent’s screening is not overseen, and the carrier cannot show its own records.
- Cargo from shippers not in the Union database is accepted as secure.
- Screening records do not link to air waybill numbers.
- PLACI referrals have no documented response procedure.
How ASG prepares ACC3 applicants
- Confirming the responsible Member State and the airports that need designation.
- Writing or revising the security programme to Attachment 6-G, specific to each airport.
- Pre-validation assessment against Attachment 6-C3 at the airport, covering both carrier and handling agent.
- Oversight arrangements and records for subcontracted handling and screening.
- Building the RA3 and KC3 supply chain at the airport where that reduces screening load.
- Revalidation planning across the network so no designation lapses.
ASG prepares carriers for validation. The validation itself is carried out by an independent EU aviation security validator.
Conclusion
ACC3 designation is granted per airport and depends on what happens on the ground there. A carrier that oversees its handling agent, checks supply chain status properly and keeps traceable screening records will pass validation. ASG helps carriers reach that point at every airport in their EU network.
Frequently asked questions
ACC3 means Air Cargo or Mail Carrier operating into the Union from a Third Country Airport. It is the designation a carrier needs, per non-EU airport, to carry cargo or mail into the EU under point 6.8 of Regulation (EU) 2015/1998.
Up to five years, with revalidation required before expiry.
An EU aviation security validator approved by an EU Member State authority under point 11.6, using the checklist in Attachment 6-C3.
The State that issued the AOC; for non-EU carriers, the State listed in Regulation (EC) No 748/2009; otherwise, the State of the carrier’s main EU base or first arrival.
Yes. Designation is specific to each non-EU airport from which the carrier carries cargo or mail to the EU, unless that airport is exempted.
Key takeaways
- ACC3 designation is required per non-EU airport of departure
- Valid up to five years
- Security programme follows Attachment 6-G; validation uses checklist 6-C3
- The responsible Member State is fixed by AOC, Regulation 748/2009 or main base
- Handling agent oversight is the usual weak point
Need ACC3 designation for a new route?
Tell us the airports and the carrier. ASG will confirm the responsible authority and prepare you for validation.