DHL Global Forwarding Japan announced the launch of a new air cargo security screening service utilising Explosives Detection Dogs (EDD), effective May 25, 2026. This initiative strengthens DHL’s aviation security capabilities in response to increasingly stringent regulatory requirements while safeguarding sensitive shipments.
As regulatory requirements for air cargo security become increasingly stringent, DHL Global Forwarding Japan has been introducing new screening methods to complement and, where applicable, replace conventional ETD and X-ray screening. EDD screening enables the efficient inspection of large and sensitive cargo without compromising shipment integrity. Conventional screening methods will continue to be applied for cargo where EDD detection is not suitable.
“With the introduction of EDD screening, we are enhancing both the security and efficiency of our air cargo operations. This solution allows us to maintain the speed and integrity of our customers’ shipments, particularly for sensitive cargo such as pharmaceutical products, while meeting increasingly stringent security requirements. It also enables us to better serve our capital equipment customers whose cargo often cannot be accommodated by conventional scanners. Ultimately, it reinforces our commitment to delivering reliable, compliant, and high-quality logistics services tailored to our customers’ needs,” said Karsten Michaelis, CEO, DHL Global Forwarding North Asia.
Since early 2025, DHL Global Forwarding Japan has been driving this initiative in collaboration with Allied Universal®, a K9 service provider, as well as DHL Global Forwarding’s aviation security leadership in the United States, to advance operational readiness and establish the necessary framework for EDD deployment. As part of these efforts, STS dispatched its handlers from Japan to the United States to undergo specialised training, helping establish the capabilities required for the effective deployment and operation of the service.
This initiative is being advanced as part of a strategic partnership with Sanko Total Service Co., Ltd. (STS) and MSA Security (MSA), an Allied Universal® company. By deploying TSA-compliant K9 teams in Japan, the partnership provides EDD screening services, a screening method recognised by the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB). STS was announced as an EDD screening provider by the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau on April 27, 2026, and DHL Global Forwarding Japan has entered a formal agreement with STS to implement the service. EDD screening enables faster coverage of large areas while maintaining logistics speed and shipment integrity. Combined with conventional screening methods where appropriate, it further strengthens aviation security and supports more efficient global supply chains.
