General

Applicable Legislation

Perishable cargo is accepted for transportation on U6 flights in accordance with:

  1. The applicable legislation of the Russian Federation and the legislation of the countries of import, export, transit, or transfer, and the relevant authorities;
  2. The IATA Perishable Cargo Regulations, except the IATA (TCR) Temperature Control Regulations;
  3. U6 standards and procedures.

Note. General requirements of countries are specified in the TACT Rules Manual (yellow pages).

Definition

Perishable cargo — plant- or animal-based products, processed products, live plants, fish fry and other cargo requiring special conditions during storage and transportation (optimum temperature, humidity, etc.).

Perishable cargo is classified according to IMP codes in accordance with the following table.

ACT Temperature control system
COL Chilled goods
FRI Frozen products subject to veterinary/ phytosanitary inspection
FRO Frozen products
HEG Hatching eggs
OBX Strong-smelling goods
PEA Hunting trophies, hides, skins, and all items made from or containing materials listed in CITES*
PEF Flowers and ornamental plants
PEM Meat**
PEP Vegetables and fruits
PER General perishables
PES Fish and seafood
PIL Pharmaceuticals
SHL For saving human life
WET Wet cargo*** not packed in sealed packaging

General Requirements

In addition to the requirements listed in Part B, the transportation of perishable goods must comply with the following requirements:

  1. The responsible employee of the authorized airline agent must accept perishable cargo in accordance with all requirements for acceptance, handling and transportation; all transit airports must be notified; perishable cargo must have priority in processing and transportation:
    • The shipper and the responsible employee must have sufficient knowledge and comply with the IATA Perishable Cargo Manual and U6 standards;
    • Requirements for warehouse premises and equipment for handling cargo by authorized agents should be considered; cargo must be stored in specialized warehouses intended for perishables;
    • Shipment must be arranged so the arrival time does not fall on weekends or holidays;
  2. Air Waybill:
    • In the “Nature and Quantity of Goods” field — cargo description and IMP code for perishables;
    • In the “Handling Information” field — transport and storage requirements, 24-hour phone number and contact person;
  3. Notification to the Aircraft Commander;
  4. The shipper must provide a Certificate (or other transportation permits) in accordance with phytosanitary and veterinary regulations of respective countries:
    • Phytosanitary certificate for plants and plant-origin products, cultivated and soil-based crops;
    • Veterinary certificate for all animal-origin products;
  5. Packaging must ensure flight safety and cargo preservation upon arrival:
    • Authorized personnel must not accept perishable cargo if the contents are spoiled or if packaging does not match the contents;
    • Any packaging integrity issues may endanger personnel, damage aircraft equipment, or other cargo;
  6. Cargo must be properly labeled:
    • Labeling;
    • Orientation symbols must be placed on two opposite sides; Wet cargo must be marked with the “Wet Cargo” symbol;
    • Special instructions, e.g.: Keep away from heat sources, store at xx °C — xx °C.

Veterinary and Phytosanitary Requirements

Transportation of rare plant and animal species and products of animal origin must comply with CITES requirements.

When transporting animal-origin products on U6 flights from other countries, the goods must undergo veterinary inspection.

When transporting plant-origin products on U6 flights from other countries into Ekaterinburg, the goods must undergo phytosanitary inspection.

Requirements for Special Cargo Types

Food Products

Examples. Live frogs, snails, crayfish, fresh vegetables, fresh meat. This category includes perishable goods for human consumption. These generally have priority over other commodities. For example, live fish have two codes EAT-WET; the EAT code has priority.

Strong-smelling Cargo

Strong-smelling cargo — goods that emit persistent unpleasant odors during transportation which may spread to the passenger cabin and cockpit, causing discomfort or nausea.

Examples. Certain fruits and vegetables (garlic, large quantities of melons); tanned leather and fur (sheepskin, crocodile skin); dried shark fins, fish and frogs in large quantities; oil concentrates, extracts for pharmaceutical industry. U6 does not accept strong-smelling cargo unless the following requirements are met:

  1. Cargo must be separated from baggage;
  2. Transportation of raw or salted hides is prohibited; only tanned hides are accepted;
  3. Cargo must be packed to prevent odor leakage and repackaging;
  4. Rigid waterproof double external packaging and airtight internal packaging must be used;
  5. Only limited quantities are allowed to prevent odor concentration.

Flowers and Ornamental Plants

Examples. Cut flowers, plant stems, seeds and pollen, Christmas trees.

Requirements:

  1. Accept cargo immediately prior to flight; maintain low temperatures during transportation; store in shade, cool conditions, provide ventilation;
  2. Rigid external packaging must be used (e.g., cardboard);
  3. Store flowers away from direct sunlight; pre-cooling and high humidity are recommended;
  4. Some flowers/plants are sensitive to low temperatures;
  5. For example, palms and orchids must not be stored below 10°C; seedlings are recommended to be transported above 10°C.

Fruit and Vegetables

Requirements:

  1. Accept cargo immediately prior to flight; maintain low temperatures; store in shade with ventilation;
  2. Rigid external packaging must be used (e.g., cardboard);
  3. Maintain low temperature and prevent moisture loss (e.g., plastic wrap).

General Perishables

General perishables — goods not included in other categories and not requiring specific packaging.

Example. Hermetically sealed foods or deep-frozen meat.

Fresh Fish

Examples. Live fish, crabs, mollusks; fully chilled or frozen products; fish or seafood meat.

Requirements:

  1. As per wet cargo requirements — strong waterproof packaging; external packaging typically double waterproof bag and tape; cardboard boxes and other waterproof bags must be removed before packing the product;
  2. Handling operations must be minimized;
  3. Low temperatures must be maintained; minimize fluctuations.

Cooling materials:

  1. Dry ice;
  2. (Wet) ice — standard ice in bags or placed around the cargo.

Leakage may damage other cargo or aircraft structure. Contaminated aircraft must be cleaned per U6 instructions.

Meat

Requirements:

  1. As per wet cargo requirements — strong (preferably double) waterproof packaging:
    • Contains liquids and odor throughout transport;
    • Maintains low temperature; meat must be chilled or frozen; ideal temp. 0°C;
  2. Handling must be minimized.

Eggs

Transport temperature must be near 0°C. Fragile cargo.

Pharmaceutical Products

Pharmaceuticals — gaseous, liquid or solid chemical or biological products used for the prevention, diagnosis or treatment of diseases.

Requirements:

  1. Strict temperature control and compliance with shipper instructions throughout transport;
  2. Some pharmaceuticals are highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations (freezing).

Radioactive Pharmaceuticals

Radioactive pharmaceuticals — products with a short half-life must receive priority in transport and handling.

The transport time must not exceed the specified limit, as delay renders the product unusable.

These products must be properly marked per dangerous goods transport rules, including the “Medical Supplies” symbol. AWB and documentation must indicate the IMP code for radioactive substances and additional code SHL.

“Wet” Cargo

Examples. Certain animals; meat or fish packed in ice.

Wet cargo may release liquid (due to melting ice) and damage other cargo or aircraft structure. It must be packed in waterproof packaging and given handling priority.