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General Cargo

The term refers to a regulated service where any member of the public may book cargo for shipment, according to long-established and internationally agreed rules.

Acceptance

Direct shippers not known by Air Transat

A minimum of 48 hours hold regulation is in effect for shipment tendered by unknown shippers. The freight must be tendered to the handling agent with a list of contents and all the appropriate documentation to identify and detail the shipment. In case of doubt, the Air Transat Cargo station representative must be advised and the cargo isolated until further notice. The applicable security acceptance program put in place by the local state authorities must be followed at all times when its applications are more specific than the ones presented in the Cargo Operation Manual. Physical identification and screening in the presence of the shipper must be conducted for shipment tendered by an unknown shipper.

Known shippers

Air Transat Cargo will only recognize known shippers complying with the known shipper requirements program that exists in the state of origin of the shipment. Regulated agents will need to comply with the same program. In any case where compliance cannot be obtained, shipment will be considered as unknown cargo and will need to follow the unknown cargo screening program of the state of origin.

Canada

Shipment must be tendered with a security letter respecting the Transport Canada format. A copy must be kept at the origin station with the AWB copy.

International

All documents confirming that an expedition has successfully passed the local screening program and is fit for international or domestic flights must accompany the freight and be kept in the file with all the shipment documentation.

If there is no local program, the screening shown in the Cargo Operation Manual must be followed.

In order to respect the time frame in the acceptance of the final load, the below cut off times have been set for known shippers tendering:

• General cargo: 6 hours before flight departure
• Perishable cargo: 6 hours before flight departure
• Live animal: 4 hours before flight departure
• Human remains: 4 hours before flight departure
• Dangerous goods: 8 hours before flight departure
• Oversized cargo: 6 hours before flight departure
  

In the case where the above cut off could not be respected, prior arrangements with handling agents and flight operation staff should be made to avoid delays.

Documentation

At the time of acceptance, all cargo must have:

• Master Air Waybill, correctly completed, in accordance with current IATA rules;
• The relevant security documents required by the local authorities in which freight transit and as stipulated in the security section of the Cargo Operation Manual;
• Necessary documents for transportation.

Identification

At the time of acceptance, each package must be addressed legibly, showing:

• Complete name and address of consignee;
• Destination airport;
• Total number of pieces;
• Master Air Waybill number

Dangerous Goods

Air Transat Cargo will accept dangerous materials (such as gases, flammable liquids, corrosives, etc.) that respect the rules and regulations of the IATA “Dangerous Goods Regulations” and/or of the countries involved. Employees have successfully completed the required training from an accredited IATA dangerous goods school. Our expertise makes Air Transat Cargo the right choice for the transportation of dangerous goods.

To find out more about dangerous goods standards please refer to the detail section.

Live Animals

Air Transat provides special care for the transportation of live animals, as we are fully committed to the security and comfort of these animals.

Acceptance

Air Transat Cargo will accept for carriage on passenger flights live animal cargo from shippers and/or agents that respect the rules and regulations of Live Animal Regulations book (LAR) and/or of the countries involved in the routing, when these regulations are more specific than IATA. Each station must have on hand the current edition of IATA Live Animal Regulations in addition to the Cargo Operation Manual in order to follow the regulations contained. The checklist used for acceptance will be the one presented in the LAR.

Air Transat Cargo will accept for carriage domestic cats and dogs that are, at the time of the flight, a minimum of 12 weeks old. For special requests (4 AVIs or greater), please send full information to Air Transat Cargo (ops@airtransatcargo.com), for review before acceptance. Rodents and farm animals will not be accepted on board.

Certain countries do not accept or restrict entrance of live animals on international flights. It is important to ensure that the client is informed of these restrictions.

Where holds are suitable for it, live animals may be palletized, but never containerized.

• Natural enemy animals (i.e. cats and dogs) shall not be loaded together within the same hold, unless they belong to the same owner;
• Live animal cargo is accepted on direct flights only;
• All necessary documents must be tendered with freight to ensure smooth transportation until final destination;
• Any special requirement must be indicated in the handling information box of the AWB;
• Shipment must be addressed legibly on each cage with complete name and address of consignee;
• Once accepted, live animal cargo becomes priority due to its nature;
• Live animal cargo must not be exposed to excessive change of temperature or kept in unfitting area;
• Freight must show the correct marking and labelling;
• Shipment must not contain any unsuspected dangerous good commodity;
• All documents must be in sufficient number and completed in order to comply with nature of the shipment.

Documentation

All live animals tendered to an Air Transat Cargo facility must have:

• Master Air Waybill completed correctly in accordance with the current IATA rules;
• The relevant security documents required by the local authorities and the security section of the Cargo Operation Manual;
• Health certificate, licences and any import and/or export permits tendered with the animal;
• All documents in sufficient number and completed in order to comply with the nature of the shipment;
• A completed recommended live animal checklist provided by IATA LAR;
• Air Waybill showing “Carrier not responsible for mortality from natural causes” in the handling information box;
• If required, proper CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) included in the shipper’s documentation. Care must be taken that these documents are received and attached with all the documents for transit to final destination.

Identification

As general rule, Air Transat Cargo accepts only domestic cats and dogs. Requests regarding other type of live animals must be sent to Air Transat Cargo (ops@airtransatcargo.com or CHACSTS). The appointed Air Transat Cargo handling company must verify the following while live animal is under its care:

• Correct container type (cage) for the animal as per LAR book is used;
• The full name, address and contact number of the shipper, consignee and a 24-hour contact number written in English;
• The scientific and common name of the animal and the quantity are indicated;
• Any special feeding and/or watering instructions are properly affixed to the cage;
• The IATA “Live Animals” label is affixed and “This Way Up” is indicated on all four sides whenever possible;
• Labels are not obstructing any ventilation holes.

Human Remains

Air Transat Cargo ensures that the remains are treated with the utmost respect and securely throughout the process.

Acceptance

Air Transat Cargo will accept for carriage on passenger flights, human remain cargo from shippers and/or agents that respect the rules and regulations of the Cargo Operation Manual and the IATA regulations, in accordance with customs and government regulations of the involved countries.

• Human remains are accepted on direct flights only;
• All necessary documents must be tendered with freight to ensure smooth transportation until final destination;
• Any special requirement must be indicated in the handling information of the AWB;
• Shipment must be addressed legibly with complete name and address of consignee;
• Once accepted, human remain cargo must be considered as priority cargo due to its nature;
• Human remain cargo must not be exposed to excessive changes of temperature or kept in unfitting area;
• Shipment must not contain any unsuspected dangerous good commodity;
• Documents must be in sufficient number and completed in order to comply with nature of the shipment;
• All human remains, with the exception of caskets containing cremated remains, must be accompanied by a certified copy of the Death Certificate, signed by a Registrar;
• The authenticity of the Death Certificate should be verified by contacting the undertaker prior to dispatch. If there is any doubt, the cargo must be refused and Air Transat Cargo contacted for further instruction;
• Documents must conform to the booking sheet;
• Condition of the packaging must be suitable for carriage;
• All packages must be labelled correctly with HUM labels;
• Weight and dimension of the cargo must be taken.

Documentation

At the time of acceptance, all cargo must be tendered with:

• Master Air Waybill completed correctly, in accordance with the current IATA regulations;
• The relevant security documents required by the local authorities and the security section of the Cargo Operation Manual;
• A death certificate issued by competent authorities of the country of origin;
• A certificate legalized by the local consul of the destination country;
• An official certificate of cremation for cremated human remains;
• All documents in sufficient number and completed in order to comply with the nature of the shipment.

Perishable Cargo

Perishable cargo refers to cargo (fruit, vegetables, meat, flowers, etc.) that will spoil over a specific period of time, or when subjected to adverse temperatures, humidity or other environmental conditions.

Acceptance

Air Transat Cargo will accept for carriage on passenger flights perishable cargo from shippers and/or agents that respect the rules and regulations of the Cargo Operation Manual and in accordance with the customs and government regulations of the involved countries. Each station must have on hand the current edition of IATA Perishable Cargo Manual regulations, in addition to the Cargo Operation Manual in order to follow the regulations contained.

• Perishable cargo is accepted on direct flights. Any transfer must be made with prior arrangements with all involved stations;
• All necessary documents must be tendered with freight to ensure smooth transportation until final destination;
• Any special requirement must be indicated in the handling information box of the AWB;
• Shipment must be addressed legibly on each package, with name and complete address of consignee;
• Goods must always be properly packed to avoid leakage and unnecessary damage to product;
• No part shipment is accepted for perishable cargo, unless an agreement is made with shipper and destination station prior to the flight departure;
• Meat with blood seepage, meat fluid or strong odours must be refused;
• Once accepted, perishable cargo becomes priority due to its nature;
• Perishable cargo must not be exposed to excessive changes of temperature or kept in unfitting area;
• Freight must show the correct marking and labelling. Perishable labels must be affixed;
• Piece count and weight must be verified and Air Transat station representative informed of any discrepancy;
• Goods must be weighed and measured;
• Shipment must not contain any unsuspected dangerous good commodity;
• Documents must be in sufficient number and completed in order to comply with nature of the shipment.

Documentation

At the time of acceptance, all cargo must have:

• Master Air Waybill completed correctly, in accordance with the current IATA rules. Master Air Waybill must not show a specific temperature request;
• The relevant security documents required by the local authorities in which freight transit and as stipulated in the security section of the Cargo Operation Manual;
• Health certificate, licences and all required import permits;
• All documents in sufficient number and completed in order to comply with the nature of the shipment;
• Air Waybill completed with the handling information box indicating ‘’Perishables’’. The IATA Perishable cargo label must be affixed on each box.

Identification

Origin station must verify all perishable packages tendered at their facility. Under no condition must a shipment be accepted if it shows marks of damage, leakage or pilferage. Identification must include the following:

• Address of the consignee;
• Destination airport;
• Total number of pieces;
• The master Air Waybill number;
• The word “Perishable” must be clearly marked on the shipment and labels affixed.

Outsized and Heavy Cargo

Air Transat Cargo will accept for carriage on passenger flights outsized and heavy cargo from shippers and/or agents that respect the limitations of its aircraft, the rules and regulations of international law (TACT) and the Cargo Operation Manual. The regulations of the country of origin must also be followed when they are more specific or restrictive than IATA or the Cargo Operational Manual.

Air Transat Cargo operates wide-bodied aircraft only (A330 / A310). Outsized cargo is cargo that has at least one of its dimensions larger than the following:

• Length:318 cm
• Width:244 cm
• Height:160 cm
• Weight:4250 kg

Acceptance

The following rules must be observed when accepting cargo for carriage:

• Freight tendered must be ready and in good condition for carriage;
• Shipment must be addressed legibly on each package, with name and complete address of consignee;
• Necessary documents for transportation must be tendered to handling facility with the cargo;
• Compliance with all customs and governmental regulations of all the countries in which the freight will transit are under the shipper and/or shipper’s agent’s responsibility. The necessary documentation must be attached to document pouch to respect requirements and avoid delays;
• Heavy shipment labels must be affixed.

Documentation

At the time of acceptance, all cargo must have:

• Master Air Waybill completed correctly, in accordance with the current IATA rules;
• The relevant security documents required by the local authorities in which freight transits and the security section of the Cargo Operation Manual;
• Necessary documents for transportation, tendered to handling facility.

Identification

At the time of acceptance, each package must be addressed legibly, showing:

• Complete name and address of consignee;
• Destination airport;
• Total number of pieces;
• The master Air Waybill number.

Diplomatic Cargo

Diplomatic cargo contains official correspondence moving between a government and its accredited representatives abroad, or between the mentioned representatives, supported by a Declaration of Diplomatic Immunity covered by the IATA Air Waybill.

Acceptance

Air Transat Cargo will accept for carriage on passenger flights diplomatic cargo from shippers and/or agents that respect the rules and regulations of international law and the ones of the country of origin when these regulations are more specific than IATA and the Cargo Operational Manual:

• Diplomatic cargo is accepted on direct flights. Any transfer must be made with prior arrangements with all involved stations;
• All necessary documents must be tendered with freight to ensure smooth transportation until final destination;
• Any special requirement must be indicated in the handling information box of the AWB;
• Shipment must be addressed legibly on each package with complete name and address of consignee;
• Goods must always be properly packed to avoid unnecessary damages to product;
• Freight must show the correct marking and labelling;
• Piece count and weight must be verified and Air Transat station representative informed of any discrepancy;
• Goods must be weighed and measured;
• Shipment must not contain any unsuspected dangerous good commodity;
• All documents must be in sufficient number and completed in order to comply with the nature of the shipment.

Documentation

At the time of acceptance, all cargo must have:

• Master Air Waybill completed correctly, in accordance with the current IATA rules;
• The relevant security documents required by the local authorities in which freight transit and as stipulated in the security section of the Cargo Operation Manual;
• Certificates, licences and all required import permits;
• Diplomatic letter signed by the proper authority;
• All documents in sufficient number and completed in order to comply with the nature of the shipment.

Identification

At the time of acceptance, each package must be addressed legibly, showing:

• Complete name and address of consignee;
• Destination airport;
• Total number of pieces;
• The master Air Waybill number.

Courier Services

At the present time, Air Transat does not carry any contract with courier services for transportation. Cargo and mail consignments from courier services are not accepted as checked-in baggage. Transportation on Air Transat passenger aircraft will be done with the cargo services and will follow all the requirements of the screening program at the airport of origin and/or the Cargo Operation Manual.

Valuable Cargo

Air Transat Cargo will accept for carriage on passenger flights valuable cargo from shippers and/or agents that respect the rules and regulations of international law (TACT) and the Cargo Operation Manual. The regulations of the country of origin must also be followed when they are more specific or restrictive than IATA or the Cargo Operational Manual.

Air Transat Cargo Operations Manager must be advised by the origin station representative of all valuable shipment booking requests and approve them before acceptance of the cargo.

Movement of valuable shipment must be arranged prior to being loaded into aircraft and a pre-alert message must be sent at least 3 days in advance to the destination.

Valuable cargo can only be accepted on direct flights.

Definition

As per IATA, valuable cargo is defined as:

• Any article having a declared value for carriage of US$ 1000 (or equivalent) or more per gross kilogram;
• Gold bullion (including refined and unrefined in ingot form), gold specie and gold only in the form of grain, sheet, foil, powder, sponge, wire, rod, tube, circle mouldings and castings, platinum, platinum metals (palladium, iridium, ruthenium, osmium and rhodium) and platinum alloys in the form of grain, sponge, bar ingot sheet, rod wire, gauze, tube and strip (but excluding those radioactive isotopes of the above metals and alloys which are subject to restricted articles labelling requirements);
• Legal banknotes, traveller’s cheques, securities, share, share coupons, stamps (excluding mints) and ready for use bank cards and/or credit cards;
• Diamonds (including industrial diamonds), rubies, emeralds, sapphires, opals and real pearls (including cultured pearls);
• Jewellery and watches made of silver and/or gold and/or platinum;
• Articles made of gold and/or platinum, other than gold and/or platinum plated.

Acceptance

The following rules must be observed when accepting valuable cargo for carriage:

• Shipment must not be consolidated with other goods, unless it is wholly composed of valuables;
• Shipment must be packed in such a manner that the contents cannot be tampered with or removed without visible signs thereof remaining;
• The dimensions of each package shall not be less than 30 x 30 x 30 cm to reduce the risk of packages being mislaid amongst other cargo;
• Necessary documents for transportation must be tendered to handling facility with the cargo;
• Compliance with all customs and governmental regulations of all the countries in which the freight will transit are under the shipper and/or shipper’s agent’s responsibility.

Documentation

• Master Air Waybill completed correctly, in accordance with the current IATA rules. Valuable cargo must not be included in consolidated or mixed consignment, unless all the commodities are valuable cargo;
• The relevant security documents required by the local authorities in which freight transits and the security section of the Cargo Operation Manual;
• The shipment must be listed on the special load notification to the flight captain (NOTOC form);
• All necessary documents for transportation must be tendered to handling facility.

Identification

At the time of acceptance, each package must be addressed legibly, showing:

• Complete name and address of consignee;
• Destination airport;
• Total number of pieces;
• The master Air Waybill number.