Standard Operating Procedure

Perishables

FD

Thai AirAsia (TAA)

Acceptance

General

Perishables (PER) cargo accepted by TAA (Thai Airasia) type included (not limited):

a. Fresh Meat, Fish

b. Fresh Fruits, seeds, roots, bulbs

c. Fresh Vegetables

d. Fresh Flower and Plants (ornamental Product)

Perishable cargo shall only be accepted for carriage in FD when it is reasonably certain that it will reach its destination in good condition. The shipper shall :

Provide written instructions as to the maximum acceptable and transportation time required for special handling arrangements.
These instructions shall be shown on the air waybill and the packages.
The cargo for carriage must comply with all local laws and regulations at the departure and arrival station.
The carriage of cargo must also adhere to applicable aviation regulations.
Thai AirAsia will not accept cargo that may cause damage to other cargo, aircraft and baggage.
Thai AirAsia will not accept strongly scented cargo.

Packaging

Packaging must be of a standard that will help maintain the condition of the perishable cargo.
It will minimize the effects of transportation time and environmental changes (temperature, humidity, etc).
All packaging must provide adequate protection from other cargo, spillage or leakage.
It is essential to ensure that all perishable cargo is packed in suitable materials to withstand the rigid handling over the entire period of transportation.
For the carriage of “wet cargo”, leak-proof containers used must conform to the General Packing Requirements in the latest IATA Perishable Cargo Regulations.
It is important that the packing of perishable cargo reflects the necessary quality control measure and consistent with the nature of goods and conditions of carriage.
Each piece of perishable goods must be marked:

a. Specifying the name and address of the sender and the consignee.

b. All four (4) sides of the package in the upper half labeled with “PERISHABLE” sticker and stickers with AWB number. If there are a large number of pieces for a consignment, it is not necessary to label each piece.

c. Ice-cooled goods and perishable goods containing liquids are to be treated as Wet Cargo.

Fruits and Vegetables

Packaging

Fresh fruits and vegetables may be packed in wooden crates, pallets, cardboard boxes, wicker woven baskets, etc.
To ensure quality control, the packaging requires vents for adequate ventilation.
Packaging material must be strong as packages may be stacked on one another.
Packages must be labelled with “This Side Up” (arrow), and “PERISHABLE” label.
The net weight of dry ice should not exceed the limit allowed.
Recycled packaging is NOT ALLOWED.

Fruits with strong and pungent smell

Fruits such Durian, Jackfruit, Tarap etc. require two separate packaging as below:
- Inner packaging - Vacuum-sealed packaging of the commodity
- Outer packaging - Styrofoam box

a. General Fiberboard Box

c. Bulk Boxes with Separators

e. Telescopic Box

b. One Layer Box (Flat)

d. Telescopic Box

Flowers and Plants (ornamental Product)

Packaging

Flowers are usually wrapped in protective papers and placed in a cardboard boxes or wicker woven baskets. Other types of plants (that qualify for transportation) are packaged in the same manner.
All packaging materials must be strong enough to allow the stacking of boxes.
The packages are all loaded in the upright position, following the direction of “This Way Up” stickers. The “Perishable” label is also included on the sides of the boxes.

a. One Piece Box with Flap

b. Vertical One-Piece Box

Meat

Packaging

All parties must comply with strict hygiene rules throughout all stages of processing and handling.
Meat should be contained, packed in waterproof material and handled as “Wet Cargo”.
Fresh meat should be maintained within a temperature range of 0°C - 5°C (32°F -41°F).
Frozen meat should be kept below -12°C (10°F).
Chilled meat should be kept below 5°C (41°F).

a. Frozen Products

Wet Cargo

Definition: Shipments containing liquids or shipment by their nature may produce liquids, and which are not subject to the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations shall be designated as ‘Wet Cargo’

Type of ‘Wet cargo’ :

a. Liquid in a water proof container

b. Wet materials that are not packed in watertight containers, such as fish or shellfish packed with ice (except for live fish / other seafood)

c. Fresh or frozen meat

d. Fresh or frozen fish

e. Fresh or frozen seafood

f. Fresh vegetables and fruits

g. Other goods that may produce or emit liquid.

Each piece of wet cargo must not exceed 90 x 70 x 50 cm in size, 25 kg in weight. Any ‘Wet shipment’ exceed the above limitation may be allowed subject to the type of packaging required for specific shipment with prior approval from the TAA.

Packaging

Perishable cargo that use of dry ice (Carbon dioxide solid UN 1845) as refrigerant is subject to be approved by Cargo Department.

Watertight containers shall be in accordance with the General Packaging Requirements of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations & Wet Cargo Packaging Requirement by Airline Operator.
The packaging should be constructed to withstand stacking to levels specified by the carrier.
The thickness/ Density of Styrofoam 30mm (1st quality)
Other containers shall be constructed of good quality waterproof materials. RECYCLE Containers / Styrofoam are STRICTLY PROHIBITED
Only Ice packed in the plastic bottle may be use inside of Styrofoam. Ice gel is preferable to be use.
They shall be also constructed to withstand stacking to levels specified by the carrier.
The packaging must be consisted of Styrofoam box thickness of 30mm and the inner packaging MUST consist of two layers of plastic sheet with the thickness of 0.08 mm. Outer packaging must consist of one layers of plastic sheet with the thickness of 0.08 mm.
Absorbent material must be placed inside of inner packing as the absorption before sealing the packaging. Any other method of placing the absorbent shall be assessed and approved by Airline.
The outer packaging of the Styrofoam must be sealed with the adhesive 4 cm width gummed tape.
To protect cargo floor of the aircraft from leakage problem, the floor of cargo compartment MUST be covered by plastic sheet before all cargo loaded into cargo compartment.
Proper ‘Wet Cargo’ sticker must be affixed on the sealed Styrofoam box.

Documentation

It is essential that air waybills for wet cargo shipments are completed and accurate in all aspects.
The air waybill must show the full name of the shipper and consignee, their full address and telephone number.
In the “Handling Information” box, only the handling information is to be inserted.
The entry should be clear and concise as possible and understandable by all parties involved in handling the shipments.
If the shipments are accompanied by health certificates or other official permits, these should be listed as accompanying documents in the handling information box.
These documents should be securely attached to the air waybill and not enclosed with the cargo.
The “Nature and Quantity of Goods; box should have an accurate description such as ‘Chilled Meat (Lamb)’ or ‘Fish-Frozen’ and not general description such as meat or fish.

a. Expanded Polysterene (EPS) Box for Seafood

b. Frozen Products

Documentation

It is IMPORTANT that AWB for Perishable Cargo and Wet Cargo be as accurate as possible. It has to include all the necessary handling or storage instructions.
The air waybill must show:

Shipper's and consignee full name
Shipper's and consignee full address and telephone number.

In the “Handling Information” box, only the handling information is to be inserted.
The entry should be clear and concise as possible and understandable by all parties involved in handling shipments.
These documents should be securely attached to the air waybill and not enclosed with cargo.
The “Nature and Quantity of Goods; box should contain an accurate description such as ‘Chilled Meat (Lamb)’ or ‘Fish-Frozen’ and not general description such as meat or fish.
These documents should be securely attached to the air waybill and not enclosed with cargo.
If the shipments are accompanied by health certificates or other official permits, these should be listed as accompanying documents in the “Handling Information” section of the AWB. Examples of certificates (if applicable);

i. Veterinary Certificate

ii. Certificate of Quality

iii. Certificate of Compliance

iv. Certificate of Origin

Labels and Marking

Thai AirAsia uses the following stickers to label the perishable or wet cargo packages.

THIS WAY UP label

PERISHABLE label

Restrictions

NOTE : Thai AirAsia will NOT ACCEPT cargo that may cause damage to other cargo, aircraft and baggage. Thai AirAsia will NOT ACCEPT strongly scented cargo.

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