Special Handling Instructions - Seafood
These guidelines apply to all interisland, transpacific and international shipments. For air cargo rates for seafood, please call toll-free at 877-HA-CARGO (422-2746).
Shipping fresh, frozen or live seafood requires careful packaging and special care. Leakage can damage passenger baggage, other cargo, more significantly, corrosion to the aircraft. To help avoid such problems, Hawaiian Airlines has developed the following seafood packaging guidelines.
These guidelines are also available in PDF format.
Contents must be completely sealed in a sturdy, puncture-resistant polyethylene bag at least 4-mil thick. This not only ensures freshness, it also prevents moisture leakage which may spoil the shipment as well as damage the aircraft. Claws, fins and other sharp objects must also be protected not to puncture the bag.
Pack the bags securely and pad them to avoid shifting. Absorbent material must be placed inside the box to absorb leakage or condensation from the chilled product. Cartons may be inspected periodically to ensure compliance. Customers should be prepared to supply proper strapping material.
The container (box, cooler, etc.) must be sturdy enough that it is able to withstand normal handling during the loading and unloading process. Outer packaging must be able to withstand a minimum 500 lbs. top loading capacity. The container must be multi-walled to meet compression stress and top loading.
Re-used boxes should be scrutinized as to strength and durability. Any evidence of leakage or strong odor will result in the shipment being rejected.
- Wet lock boxes must be multi-walled and waterproofed inside and out.
- They should have a top-loading capacity of at least 500 pounds.
- Gusseted corners must be on both the top and bottom, with a top that extends fully over the bottom.
- A minimum of two bands must be secured around the width of each box.
- 150 pounds is the maximum gross weight allowed per box.
Note: Shipments containing wet ice will not be accepted.
Canisters, buckets and jars, if packed inside a carton, must have inner packaging liners to prevent movement. A tight, leak-proof lid is required for liquids. Jars should be separated with cardboard dividers.
Boxes/coolers should be properly taped, banded, or strapped again with sturdy material that can withstand normal handling. Fiber-tape, plastic or metal banding material is acceptable. Masking tape is not acceptable for these shipments.
There must be a minimum of at least two bands around the width of each box. We also recommend an additional two bands around the length of each box. Bands must not cut into the boxes.
Hawaiian Air Cargo recommends gel packs or dry ice when shipping time sensitive seafood. Because dry ice is included in the dangerous goods category for air transport, applicable r egulations must be met.
Dry ice transforms from solid to gaseous carbon dioxide. Dry ice has the ability to displace oxygen in enclosed spaces. Dry ice is therefore considered a dangerous good for air transport, even when used as a refrigerant, and is subject to parts of the governmental regulations controlling dangerous goods. Among these regulatory controls are restrictions from placing packages containing dry ice in compartments with live animals, such as pets in the cargo compartment of the aircraft.
A shipper who uses dry ice must comply with specific governmental regulations. These regulations specify that packages containing dry ice be designed to permit carbon dioxide gas to escape without rupturing the package. In addition, shippers using dry ice must supply specific information on the Air Waybill and mark the net quantity of dry ice on each package. The shipper must make advance arrangements with Hawaiian Airlines when the net quantity of dry ice exceeds five (5) pounds per package. Class 9 labels must be visible on each box. Federal regulations restrict the total amount of dry ice to 440 pounds per cargo compartment. Hawaiian Airlines needs to determine the total amount of dry ice present in all shipments. Shippers should state the amount of dry ice on the airbill and on each box containing dry ice. For example, a package containing five lbs. of dry ice should be marked with a Class 9 label and "DRY ICE, NET WEIGHT 5 LBS."
Note: Shipments containing wet ice will not be accepted.
Proper labeling is one of our most important tools. It not only helps us know exactly what's inside each package, it gives us any special instructions for your precious cargo's handling and safe, secure arrival.
Label your container/box with labels such as "Perishable-Fresh Seafood". Be sure to include the shipper's name as well as the consignee's name and address. And make sure everything is clearly indicated on each shipping box, carton or canister.
ISO arrows or "This Side Up" should be used to indicate the upright position. If shipping live seafood, mark the box "Live Seafood" for added assurance of special handling.
Proper completion of a Hawaiian air waybill is required and crucial for the safe transportation of your seafood. When typing out the air waybill please include:
- The complete name and address of the shipper and the consignee
- The telephone numbers for both the shipper and consignee (an after hours number for both shipper and consignee is preferable)
- A description of the shipment (i.e., fresh or frozen and species)
- The commodity number, where applicable
To provide maximum protection for your sensitive seafood shipment, refrigeration facilities are available at each of our locations, however, we can not guarantee the availability of refrigeration at origin, destination or transit points. Refrigeration facilities are used for other perishable items, including produce, fruits, foliage.
Temperatures at each cargo facility may vary.
All domestic seafood shipments accepted by Hawaiian Air Cargo will include the following Perishable Disclaimer:
Hawaiian Air Cargo assumes no liability for the deterioration or spoilage of this shipment due to temperature extremes which may be encountered. Hawaiian has limited environmental control facilities (refrigeration or heating) available at origin, transit, or destination stations. Shipments must be packaged in such a manner as to withstand 48 hours of transit time under normal handling. Pick-up must be made within two (2) hours of flight arrival.
Hawaiian's liability is USD$0.50 per pound unless a declared value is indicated on the air waybill itself or at the time of tender.
Hawaiian Airlines provides an on-time, safe and clean aircraft for all of our customers. Your cooperation and kokua is important to help us achieve this goal.