Shipping and Packing Guidelines

Maximum Size and Weight:
- The maximum weight of any single package is 200 pounds (including packaging).
- The maximum weight per package for seafood may not exceed 175 pounds.
- A package may not exceed 90 total inches. Total inches can be determined by adding the length, plus width, plus heighth of the shipping container. Packages exceeding 90 total inches are subject to advance arrangements by calling (800) 533-1222.
Inspection and Identification: All shipments are subject to inspection and must be tendered with a government issued photo i.d.
Cutoff Times: Packages must arrive at the facility and the airbill transaction completed no later than 30 minutes before the flight. This applies to all locations except Las Vegas and Washington Dulles where the cutoff time is 45 minutes and Chicago Midway, Los Angeles, and Phoenix where the cutoff time is one hour. (See published cutoff/recovery times.)

Packages must be prepared by the Shipper so as to ensure safe carriage with ordinary care and handling.
Styrofoam is not an acceptable form of outer packaging.
Any shipment susceptible to damage with ordinary care and handling, high or low atmospheric pressure, or changes in temperature must be packaged and labeled appropriately.
Each piece of any shipment must be legibly and durably marked with the name and address of Shipper and Consignee.

Seafood and Live Fish:
- Seafood and live fish shipments must be packed in sealed, leak-proof polyethylene bags that have a thickness of at least 4 mil.
- Seafood cartons should be secured with two nylon bands around the width of each carton.
- Live fish may be shipped in leak-proof containers with a thickness of at least 3 mil.
- Protective absorbent materials should be placed between polyethylene bags and the inner wall of the shipping carton.
- The outer cartons should be constructed of corrugated paperboard or solid fiberboard.
Fresh Flowers and Plants:
- Both must be packed in a container sturdy enough to provide protection from customary handling and inclement weather while in transit.
- Containers should be marked with the description of their contents and indicate if they are of a fragile nature.
Refrigeration:
- Refrigerants should maintain temperature for 48 hours.
- We recommend using chemical coolants such as dry ice or frozen gel packs for refrigerated shipments.
- The maximum amount of dry ice allowed in a package is five pounds and must be shipped in a ventilated container.
- The container should be marked with the words “DRY ICE” and the exact weight of the dry ice.
- Coolers for perishables are available at select Cargo locations.

Unacceptable shipments include, but are not limited to, the following:

*For more information, please contact the Cargo Sales & Service Center at (800) 533-1222