Perishable cargo
Perishable shipments require special attention to ensure that the contents are delivered to the consignee in good condition.
Acceptance
Perishable shipments cannot be accepted on a charges forward basis except under certain conditions as agreed with the carrier. The content must be in apparent good condition and if there is any doubt as to their fitness, the shipment will not be accepted. Shipments which are inadequately packaged or a air waybill annotated with unreasonable instructions such as “Shipment must be kept at 9’C” cannot be accepted.
Documentation and labelling
Shipper’s handling instructions must be shown on the air waybill if special conditions apply. The air waybill must show the full name, address and telephone number of both shipper and consignee, and appropriate Health Certificates and Permits must be attached.
Packages must be labelled with the IATA Perishable label and must be marked with the full name and telephone number of the consignee. Special handling requirements (eg “Keep cool wherever possible”) may also be shown, but there must not include specific temperature conditions.
Packaging and handling
Packaging must be of a standard that will ensure adequate protection of the contents, prevent contamination of other load and spillage or leakage for the entire carriage. Highly perishable commodities require special care in this respect .
- Vegetables, fruit, flowers - Fresh vegetables, fruit and flowers should be packed in well-ventilated containers, which must be strong enough to prevent crushing and bruising of the contents
- Highly perishable vegetables, fruit, flowers in an uninsulated ULD or bulk hold stowed - please note there is no dry ice to be used and ensure the product is adequately ventilated
A) Highly perishable vegetables/fruit/flowers are those normally requiring constant refrigeration at approximately 2’C to 7’C, such as asparagus and strawberries.
B) No controlled refrigeration is available once the shipment has left the cargo terminal coolroom. Actual temperatures encountered will vary from airport ground temperatures during transportation to the aircraft, and during loading, to a relatively low (approximately 5’C to 10’c) temperature during the time the aircraft is at cruise altitude.
C) Where the shipper loads the ULD off airport, shipper should ensure that the product is fully chilled in the shipper’s coolrooms prior to loading into the ULD.
D) Where the product is loaded in a Qantas Cargo terminal, the product should be delivered in a refrigerated truck.
- Seafood consignments - As there is the possibility of severe damage to the aircraft or contamination of other cargo unless seafood consignments are packed correctly, it is essential that the Qantas Seafood Air Transport Regulations are followed at all times.