Operating procedures
Acceptance
Shipments containing perishable products will only be accepted if compliant with the following conditions:
- Wet products (seafood, meat, etc.) must be securely packed to prevent leakage or spillage during transportation and they must not emit strong odors.
- Packages containing horticultural products (fruit, vegetables, flowers, etc.) must be sturdy enough to withstand stacking up to 2.2 meters high without the risk of bottom boxes collapsing under the weight. Also, the containers must resist the high levels of moisture released by these products.
Resistance tests for this type of packaging may be conducted using simulated weight at a temperature of 22-24 °C and relative humidity of 75-80% for 24 hours with boxes stacked up to a height of 3 meters or a weight equivalent to stacking to that height.
Special Conditions
All perishable shipments containing solid carbon dioxide (dry ice) are subject to a previous agreement between the shipper and the company. Dry ice is classified as hazardous material and the amount permitted on board is limited by the type of aircraft.
Specific instructions regarding what temperature the cargo should be kept at will not be accepted (e.g. "keep at 5°C" or "keep between 10 and 13 °C").
Note: Whenever dry ice is used as coolant, a special note must be made. The following text must be affixed next to the product name: "Dry Ice 9 UN 1845", followed by the amount of dry ice contained in each package.
Labeling
Labeling for perishables must be as follows:
- Blue label indicating the contents: meat, fish, vegetables or fruit.
- Orientation labels (arrows indicating "this side up").
- Hazard risk for Class 9 materials if dry ice has been used to refrigerate the product.
Examples of commodities transported with this care option: - Fish, vegetables, fruit, flowers
For further information on our Fresh care option, please contact your local office.