Shipping Guidelines

We want to take the guess work out of your shipping needs. Here are our general guidelines for shipping your cargo.

Maximum Weight and Size

Maximum Size and Weight

The maximum weight per piece is 200 pounds (including packaging). For seafood, the maximum weight per piece may not exceed 175 pounds (including packaging).

Total Size

A package exceeding 90 total inches will be accommodated as bin space permits. Total inches can be determined by adding the length, plus width, plus height of the shipping container. Packages exceeding 90 total inches are subject to advance arrangements by contacting your local Southwest Airlines Cargo facility.

Inspection and Identification

All shipments are subject to inspection and must be tendered with a government issued photo i.d.

Cutoff Times

Southwest Airlines Cargo is proud to have some of the shortest cutoff and recovery times in the industry. Packages must arrive at our cargo facility and the airway bill 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. International deadlines may be longer (See published cutoff times.)

* All human remains shipments must be tendered at least two (2) hours prior to scheduled departure time.

Packaging and Marking Requirements

• Packages must be prepared by the Shipper 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.
• All human remains packaging must follow the appropriate shipping requirements.