The handling of cargo occasions theft and pilferage. The latter is considered to be the theft of one or two items out of a package; it is usually committed on impulse, and occurs in terminal areas where goods are handled or stored. On the other hand, a major theft is considered to be the theft of one or more packages, and is rarely committed on impulse. It is usually planned on receipt of information identifying certain shipments, and this often involves collusion between several employees in the transport system. Most major thefts today occur while the goods are in transit.
The enormous sums of money involved in cargo theft are a severe drain on the economy of the countries concerned, and they indicate the enormity of the problem when considered on a world-wide basis.