As global e-commerce continues to surge and airfreight volumes reach new highs, the security processes that protect the integrity of the cargo supply chain are undergoing a critical evolution. In a sector that demands speed and precision, Global K9 (GK9) is reshaping how freight is screened — not just through the nose of a dog, but through a comprehensive model of layered risk mitigation. 

“GK9 has evolved to provide a comprehensive, end-to-end approach to cargo screening,” Chris Daniels, Chief Strategy Officer at GK9, said. “In addition to our canine teams, we now also offer authorised representative services, specialised equipment sales, and other operational support, all tailored to support the efficient and compliant movement of cargo. Being able to offer a layered approach ensures cargo is screened accurately, while minimising disruption to warehouse operations, or holding up the flow of goods.”

This model is designed not just to meet regulatory obligations, but to do so in a way that reflects the real-world pressures of modern logistics. Whether it’s last-minute e-commerce consignments or high-value goods bound for export, GK9’s approach allows freight forwarders, airlines, and ground handlers to maintain throughput without compromising on safety.

Tailor-made 

The acceleration of e-commerce has changed the face of air cargo. What once consisted largely of pallets and standard ULDs has now morphed into high-volume, small-package traffic, often with irregular shapes, tight deadlines, and challenging layouts. In this new operational landscape, traditional machine-based scanning methods are increasingly hitting their limits. That’s where canine teams come in.

“Canine screening is mobile and non-invasive, making it ideal for the fast-paced and high-volume shipments such as e-commerce,” Daniels explained. “Unlike traditional scanners, our canine teams can screen cargo without breaking it down, or moving it to fixed equipment. This keeps warehouse operations uninterrupted, while still meeting strict security standards.”

This non-disruptive characteristic is a crucial advantage. Traditional screening using X-ray or CT scanners often requires freight to be deconsolidated and reorganised — a process that takes time, increases the risk of damage, and slows warehouse flow. In contrast, a canine team can walk the floor, navigate around stacked packages or complex cargo arrangements, and screen the freight in situ.

For handlers under pressure to meet cut-off times and preserve chain-of-custody integrity, the benefits of canine screening are hard to overstate. It adds a mobile, agile layer of assurance, allowing security and logistics managers to adapt to fluctuating conditions without sacrificing throughput.

Inside the process

The operational reality of canine screening is a far cry from the simplicity often portrayed in popular media. GK9’s methodology is rooted in science, structure, and repeatability. Every deployment is carefully planned, and every canine-handler team is trained to the highest standards of detection accuracy and regulatory compliance.

“Our handlers deploy canines to systematically screen the freight using a pattern appropriate for the cargo type, layout, and density,” Daniels stated. “The canine is trained to detect trace and bulk odours associated with target substances, and if an alert is made, the area is marked, isolated, and escalated in accordance with our SOP and client protocols.”

Compared to machine-based screening, the differences are significant. Where machines require items to be fed through a scanner — often disassembled or repositioned — dogs can work around the freight, scanning at speed while preserving the original loading configuration.

“Canine screening is mobile, non-intrusive, and significantly faster,” Daniels continued. “Machines require items to be broken down and repositioned to fit through the equipment, increasing handling time and risking damage. While machine screening has its place, especially for standardised, high-throughput environments, canine teams can offer the agility, speed, and adaptability that many operations require or prefer.”

Industry’s most volatile risk

Among the most pressing challenges in airfreight security today is the risk posed by lithium batteries, particularly those that are undeclared, mislabelled, or improperly packaged. These batteries, ubiquitous in consumer electronics, have been linked to numerous in-flight fire incidents, making them a primary focus for regulators and carriers alike.

GK9 has taken a pioneering stance on this issue, developing a dedicated lithium battery detection capability that goes far beyond traditional sniff tests.

“We developed this capability in response to growing industry demand and regulatory focus on undeclared or improperly packaged lithium batteries,” Daniels detailed. “Our approach began with designing a proprietary training curriculum based on real-world battery configurations and odor profiles from both charged and uncharged lithium-ion cells.”

That curriculum includes a focus on the specific electrolyte and casing materials used in commercial batteries. The dogs are trained using a rigorous system of controlled, double-blind testing environments, ensuring high accuracy and consistency across deployments.

“In terms of reliability, our lithium battery detection program exceeds 90 percent accuracy in operational settings, with a very low false alert rate,” Daniels stated. “Importantly, our canines are trained to distinguish between consumer electronics and undeclared bulk shipments, allowing them to flag cargo that poses the highest risk.”

This targeted capability provides a vital safeguard in an increasingly battery-powered world, giving carriers and handlers a proactive tool in mitigating one of the airfreight industry’s most dangerous cargo categories.

The future is flexible

Looking ahead, Daniels sees canine screening becoming a mainstay of modern air cargo security, particularly as global volumes continue to grow and new threats emerge. What began as a specialist service is now becoming a critical layer in the broader security architecture of international freight.

“Definitely; as air cargo volumes increase and threats become more complex, canine screening will play a growing role, especially when integrated with other screening methods,” he expressed. “It’s not about replacing existing methods, but complementing them with mobile, responsive tools. The future of screening is layered, adaptable, and built around improving operational efficiency, but ultimately, with the guarantee that cargo can fly safely.”