Cargo & Freight Regulations
Authority: Commercial Transport Directive 2043
Last Updated: October 30, 2048
Applies To: All commercial freight transport between protected zones
⚠ MANDATORY COMPLIANCE: All commercial cargo must pass through designated freight checkpoints with proper documentation. Unauthorized cargo transport is subject to immediate seizure, heavy fines, and criminal prosecution under the Contraband Prevention Act 2044.
1. Designated Freight Checkpoints
The following checkpoints are authorized for commercial freight transport:
1.1 Primary Freight Hubs
| Checkpoint |
Region |
Capacity |
Specialization |
| Gate 41 - North Ribbon |
North Ribbon Industrial Zone |
500 tons/day |
Industrial goods, raw materials, manufactured products |
| Gate 27 - Sacramento South |
Sacramento Enclave |
350 tons/day |
Food, medical supplies, general cargo |
| Gate 15 - San Diego East |
New San Diego |
300 tons/day |
Consumer goods, technology, pharmaceuticals |
| Gate 39 - Pittsburgh North |
Pittsburgh Works |
450 tons/day |
Heavy machinery, steel, industrial components |
Note: North Ribbon (Gate 41) processes 35% of all inter-zone freight due to its industrial infrastructure and rail connections. Delays at North Ribbon impact supply chains across all protected zones.
1.2 Passenger Checkpoints (Limited Freight)
The following passenger checkpoints accept limited personal cargo only:
- Gate 33 - Omaha Central: Personal cargo up to 100 lbs per traveler
- All other passenger gates: Personal cargo up to 50 lbs per traveler
Commercial freight through passenger checkpoints is prohibited. Violators face immediate detention and cargo seizure.
2. Required Documents for Freight Transport
2.1 Mandatory Documentation
All commercial cargo requires the following documents:
| Document Type |
Purpose |
Validity Period |
Cost |
| Commercial Transport Permit |
Authorization to transport commercial goods |
1 year |
$1,200 |
| Shipping Manifest |
Itemized cargo list with weights, values, origins |
Per shipment |
$50 per manifest |
| Bill of Lading |
Receipt/contract for cargo transport |
Per shipment |
Included in transport fees |
| Cargo Insurance Certificate |
Proof of cargo insurance (mandatory) |
1 year |
Variable (2-5% of cargo value) |
| Hazardous Materials Permit |
Required for flammables, chemicals, etc. |
Per shipment |
$500 per permit |
| Origin Certification |
Verification of cargo origin zone |
Per shipment |
$75 per certificate |
2.2 Additional Documentation (Industry-Specific)
Industrial Freight (North Ribbon, Pittsburgh Works):
- Industrial Safety Certification: Required for all industrial equipment and materials
- Factory Access Badge: Driver must possess valid badge for destination facility
- Shift Schedule Authorization: Delivery must align with approved receiving schedules
- Union Transport Authorization: Required prior to March 2047 (now prohibited - see Section 5.3)
Medical/Pharmaceutical Freight:
- Pharmaceutical Transport License: $2,500 annually, includes temperature monitoring requirements
- Controlled Substance Permit: Required for Schedule I-V medications, $500 per permit
- Cold Chain Certificate: Temperature-controlled transport verification
Food/Perishables:
- Health Inspection Certificate: Issued within 72 hours of transport
- Refrigeration Certificate: For temperature-sensitive goods
3. Cargo Inspection Procedures
3.1 Standard Inspection Protocol
All freight cargo undergoes the following inspection process:
- Document Verification (10-15 minutes):
- Commercial Transport Permit validated
- Shipping Manifest reviewed line-by-line
- Origin Certification cross-checked with cargo seals
- Driver credentials verified
- Physical Inspection (15-45 minutes):
- Random cargo containers opened and inspected
- Weight verification against manifest
- Visual inspection for contraband
- Scanning equipment used for high-risk cargo
- Secondary Inspection (if triggered):
- Full cargo unloading and itemized inspection
- K-9 unit inspection for contraband
- X-ray or radiation scanning
- Extended detention (4-24 hours)
3.2 Inspection Triggers
Secondary inspections are triggered by:
- Manifest discrepancies or inconsistencies
- Document irregularities or suspected forgeries
- Driver nervousness or suspicious behavior
- Random selection (10% of all freight)
- Origin from high-risk zones
- Intelligence reports or active investigations
- Previous violations by driver or company
3.3 Inspection Rights
Authority checkpoint officers have absolute authority to:
- Open any container, crate, or sealed package
- Weigh individual items
- Sample goods for testing (non-destructive when possible)
- Detain cargo for extended inspection (no time limit)
- Seize cargo suspected of violating regulations
- Deny passage for any reason
Legal Basis: Freight Inspection Act 2043 - "No cargo may be exempted from inspection. Refusal to comply is grounds for immediate seizure."
4. Prohibited Cargo
4.1 Absolute Prohibitions
The following cargo is absolutely prohibited and will result in immediate seizure and criminal charges:
- Weapons & Explosives: Firearms, ammunition, explosives (except authorized military/Authority shipments)
- Contraband Documents: Forged identification, unauthorized Authority forms, resistance materials
- Unauthorized Communications: Radio transmitters, encryption devices (except licensed operators)
- Human Trafficking: Unauthorized passengers hidden in cargo (life sentence penalty)
- Biological Hazards: Infectious materials, unauthorized samples
- Stolen Property: Goods flagged in Authority theft database
- Labor Organizing Materials: Union literature, strike planning documents (prohibited since March 2047)
4.2 Restricted Cargo (Permit Required)
Requires special permits and enhanced inspection:
- Pharmaceuticals and controlled substances
- Hazardous chemicals and flammable materials
- Electronics and computing equipment (potential surveillance/encryption concerns)
- Large currency shipments (over $10,000)
- Authority equipment or uniforms (requires proof of authorization)
4.3 Undeclared Cargo Penalties
| Violation Type |
First Offense |
Repeat Offense |
| Manifest Discrepancy (minor) |
$500 fine, 24-hour detention |
$2,000 fine, permit suspension |
| Undeclared Cargo (non-contraband) |
$2,500 fine, cargo seizure |
$10,000 fine, permit revocation |
| Contraband (prohibited items) |
$25,000 fine, 2-5 years detention |
$50,000 fine, 5-10 years detention |
| Human Trafficking |
Life detention, no parole |
N/A (life sentence) |
5. Industrial Freight (North Ribbon)
5.1 Overview
North Ribbon Industrial Zone (Gate 41) is the Authority's primary freight checkpoint, processing over 500 tons of industrial cargo daily. The checkpoint services steel mills, manufacturing facilities, assembly plants, and warehouses throughout the North Ribbon region.
HISTORICAL NOTE: North Ribbon was the site of significant labor unrest in early 2047, culminating in the February 8 unauthorized strike and the March 14 security incident. All union-related documentation is now classified. Labor organizing materials are prohibited contraband.
5.2 Industrial Document Requirements
Freight entering or leaving North Ribbon requires additional documentation:
- Industrial Access Permit: $750 annually, authorizes entry to industrial zones
- Factory Delivery Authorization: Issued by receiving facility, confirms scheduled delivery
- Safety Compliance Certificate: Driver must complete industrial safety training
- Equipment Inspection Record: For machinery and industrial equipment
- Hazmat Endorsement: Required for chemicals, fuels, industrial solvents
5.3 Labor-Related Cargo Restrictions
Following the 2047 security incidents, the following restrictions apply to all North Ribbon freight:
PROHIBITED - EFFECTIVE MARCH 15, 2047:
- Union cards, membership materials, or organizing literature
- Strike authorization forms or labor action plans
- Unauthorized worker assembly permits
- Labor negotiation documents (except approved management correspondence)
- Materials from terminated union representatives (see personnel list)
Terminated Labor Representatives (Do Not Transport):
- Eliza Hawthorne - Former union organizer, detained March 14, 2047, current status: Authority custody
- Marcus Vale - Former industrial safety inspector, suspended February 2047, whereabouts unknown
- Thomas Brennan - Former shift supervisor, terminated March 2047, blacklisted from all Authority zones
Penalty for transporting prohibited labor materials: $50,000 fine, 5-10 years detention, permanent loss of commercial transport privileges.
5.4 Common Industrial Cargo Types
| Cargo Type |
Typical Weight |
Inspection Time |
Special Requirements |
| Steel Coils |
5-20 tons |
15-30 minutes |
Secure tie-downs, weight distribution verification |
| Machinery Parts |
500 lbs - 5 tons |
30-60 minutes |
Equipment inspection records, serial number verification |
| Chemical Drums |
50-500 lbs each |
45-90 minutes |
Hazmat permit, safety data sheets, spill containment |
| Construction Materials |
1-10 tons |
20-40 minutes |
Origin certification, contractor authorization |
6. Wait Times and Processing
6.1 Average Processing Times by Checkpoint
| Checkpoint |
Off-Peak (Night) |
Peak (Dawn Shift) |
Secondary Inspection |
| Gate 41 - North Ribbon |
25-35 minutes |
60-90 minutes |
4-8 hours |
| Gate 27 - Sacramento South |
20-30 minutes |
45-75 minutes |
3-6 hours |
| Gate 15 - San Diego East |
15-25 minutes |
40-60 minutes |
2-5 hours |
| Gate 39 - Pittsburgh North |
20-30 minutes |
50-80 minutes |
3-7 hours |
Peak Traffic Hours: 06:00-10:00 (Dawn shift) - 60% of daily freight traffic
Recommended Travel Times: 14:00-22:00 (Day shift) or 22:00-06:00 (Night shift)
6.2 Expedited Processing
Priority processing available for certain cargo types:
- Medical Emergencies: Priority queue, $1,000 expedite fee (1-2 hour processing)
- Perishable Goods: Fast-track inspection, $500 fee (45 minute processing)
- Authority Shipments: Express processing, no fee (15 minute processing)
Note: Expedited processing does NOT waive inspection requirements. All cargo subject to full inspection regardless of fee paid.
7. Driver Requirements
7.1 Mandatory Qualifications
All commercial freight drivers must possess:
- Valid Authority Identification Card
- Commercial Driver Authorization (CDA) - $450, 2-year validity
- Clean criminal record (no convictions in past 10 years)
- Checkpoint familiarity certification (online course, $75)
- Medical clearance (renewed annually, $85)
- Current employer verification
7.2 Driver Responsibilities
Drivers are personally responsible for:
- Accuracy of shipping manifest
- Proper cargo securement
- Vehicle safety inspection
- Compliance with all checkpoint instructions
- Immediate reporting of cargo irregularities
Penalty for driver negligence: CDA suspension (6 months minimum), fines up to $10,000, potential criminal charges if contraband discovered.
8. Reporting Violations
8.1 How to Report Suspicious Cargo
If you observe suspicious cargo activity:
- Submit anonymous tip online: Report an Issue
- Report to nearest checkpoint officer
8.2 Rewards for Information
Rewards up to $10,000 for information leading to:
- Seizure of contraband cargo
- Identification of smuggling networks
- Recovery of stolen goods
- Prevention of illegal transport
Confidentiality: Tipster identity protected. Anonymous reporting available.
9. Contact Information
Cargo & Freight Enforcement Division
Central Administration Building
Sacramento Enclave, SAC-7-001
Email: cargo@authority-official.com
North Ribbon Freight Checkpoint (Gate 41)
North Ribbon Industrial Zone
Commander: [Position currently vacant following March 2047 incident]
Legal Authority: Commercial Transport Directive 2043 | Freight Inspection Act 2043 | Industrial Safety Act 2044
Last Major Update: March 2047 (Labor Material Prohibition)
Document ID: AUTH-CARGO-2048-v3.2
