Perishables

Perishables are goods such as fruits, flowers, and vegetables that deteriorate over time and under extreme temperatures and humidity conditions. These goods must be handled with particular care and require fast and safe delivery to maintain quality and effectiveness. Fast, reliable perishable shipping is the backbone of the food and flower businesses, with sensitive products like seafood or exotic houseplants requiring appropriate handling and transportation to maintain shipment integrity. The transportation of perishables is governed by the IATA Perishable Cargo Regulations (PCR) manual, which is endorsed by the IATA Live Animals and Perishables Board (LAPB).

A Lufthansa Cargo shipment with AWB number 020-12345678 transports 2,500 kilograms of fresh-cut roses from Frankfurt (FRA) to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), requiring temperature-controlled storage between 0-2°C throughout the journey. Emirates SkyCargo handles a 1,800-kilogram shipment of fresh seafood under AWB 176-87654321 from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to London Heathrow (LHR), using dry ice and leak-proof packaging to maintain the cold chain for live lobsters and frozen tuna.

• PER
• fresh cargo
• perishable goods
• fresh produce
• perishable shipment

What special handling codes are required for perishables shipments?

The AWB must include a special IMP code for perishable goods in the cargo information section, and IATA has added an Optional Special Handling Codes column to commodity requirement tables in the 2025 PCR to support more precise logistics coordination. The standard three-letter code PER identifies the shipment as perishable cargo.

What temperature requirements apply to perishables under IATA regulations?

Special instructions must specify storage and transportation temperatures, such as 'store at temperatures xx°C - xx°C'. Frozen meat should be transported at an ideal temperature of 0°C, while eggs require transport at around 0°C. Specific packaging and storage requirements for each item are detailed in the IATA Perishable Cargo Regulations (PCR), with some items also falling under the Temperature Control Regulations (TCR).