What Are Special Cargo in Air Freight? A Complete Guide to Shipping Restricted Items

Special Cargo in Air Freight: Definition & Categories

Special cargo refers to items that cannot be transported via standard air procedures due to their:

• Nature (e.g., explosives, live animals)

• Value (e.g., gold, pharmaceuticals)

• Size/Weight (e.g., aircraft parts, machinery)

• Regulatory Status (e.g., human remains, lab cultures)

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6 Major Types of Air Special Cargo

1. Dangerous Goods (IATA Class 1-9)

• Examples: Lithium batteries, chemicals, aerosols

• Key Rule: Requires Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods (DGD)

• Handling: Separate storage; pilot notification

2. Perishables

• Examples: Flowers, seafood, vaccines

• Temp Control: Active (refrigerated) vs. passive (insulated)

• Document: Perishable Cargo Regulations (PCR) certificate

3. Live Animals

• Regulation: IATA Live Animals Regulations (LAR)

• Container Rules: Ventilation, anti-escape features

• Banned Breeds: Some airlines restrict snub-nosed dogs

4. Valuables

• Examples: Art, cash, jewelry (>$100/kg)

• Security: Tamper-proof seals, armed guards for high-risk

• Insurance: Typically 3% of declared value

5. Heavy/Oversized

• Weight Limits:

• Single piece: ≤3,000kg (B747 freighter)

• Dimensions: <5m x 5m x 3m for most cargo doors

• Fee: 150-300% standard rate

6. Human Remains

• Packaging: Triple-layer (plastic + wood + cloth)

• Docs: Death certificate, non-contagion proof

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Critical Compliance Checklist

✅ Pre-notification: 72h advance notice for DG/perishables
✅ Special Labels:

• Class 9 lithium battery

• Temperature-sensitive
  ✅ Banned Items:

• Dry ice >200kg/flight

• Magnetized materials (unless shielded)

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Why Proper Handling Matters

• Safety Risk: 1 DG incident can ground entire airport

• Cost Impact: Perishable spoilage = $12B/year losses

• Legal Penalties: Up to $50,000 for undeclared DG

"Special cargo isn’t just ‘difficult’—it’s a precision operation requiring trained staff and certified equipment."
— IATA Cargo Training Specialist

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