Imagine your goods are carefully packed and ready to fly to their destination, only to be rejected at the airport for exceeding weight or size limits. To avoid such frustrating scenarios, understanding air cargo regulations is essential. This article breaks down key requirements and offers practical solutions for oversized shipments.
Weight Specifications
Air freight calculations use gross weight measured in kilograms. Key weight regulations include:
- Fractions below 1kg are rounded to the nearest whole number
- Minimum chargeable weight per air waybill is 1kg, even for lighter shipments
- Valuable cargo is measured with 0.1kg precision
Dimensional Limits
Size restrictions vary by aircraft type:
- Standard aircraft: Maximum 80kg per item with dimensions not exceeding 40×60×100cm
- Wide-body aircraft: Permits larger shipments up to 250kg per item within 100×100×140cm
Oversized Cargo Considerations
Non-compliant shipments aren't automatically disqualified. Carriers evaluate multiple factors:
- Aircraft specifications for the scheduled route
- Loading equipment availability at departure and arrival airports
- Alternative handling solutions
Proactive communication with your carrier is critical for oversized items. Airlines may suggest special packaging, dedicated flights, or other tailored solutions to prevent shipping delays.