Cargo Services

Consignments are accepted for air transportation by Air India in the following ways - 

• Directly from the shippers 
• Through cargo agents
• Through Interline Partners. Only if the cargo is in “Ready for Carriage” condition.

The carrier or its duly authorized agent for and on behalf of the shipper or consignee may, but shall not be obligated to, comply with the formalities required by customs and other Government authorities and may, but shall not be obligated to, advance any duties, taxes and other charges, and make any disbursements The shipper, consignee and owner of the goods shall be jointly and severally liable to the carrier for the reimbursement of any payments made. A copy of the Air Waybill certified by the carrier shall be deemed an original, for any such purpose.

The shipper is obligated to comply with all customs regulations and other governmental regulations of any country flown from, to, or over relating to the packing, carriage, and delivery of goods, including the furnishing of such information and documents as may be necessary to meet such requirements; however, the carrier is under no obligation to inquire into the correctness or sufficiency of required information, documents or marking.

Air India offers the facility to carry a variety of commodities like:

•  Baggage as cargo
•  Live animals (AVI)
• Human remains (HUM)
• Valuable cargo (VAL)
• Fragile
• Cold storage(TCR)
• Outsized(BIG)
• Perishables (PER/PEF/PEM/etc)
• Flowers (PEF)
• Meat (PEM)
• Hatching eggs (HEG)
• Fresh fish (PES)
• Live Human Organs (LHO) and vaccines/ medical supplies
• Diplomatic cargo (DIP)
• Wet cargo
• Courier bags
• International/ Domestic post office mail
• Dangerous goods

No. Air India does not have a freighter aircraft but does utilize passenger aircrafts for uplifting cargo.

Yes, cargo on Air India flights can be booked either through an Air India authorized agent or GSA as well as through our cargo booking offices.

The rate structure is quite dynamic and aligned with the market conditions.

Rate structure can be:

• Prepaid
• Charges Collect

Prepaid means charges are collected in advance from the Shipper.

Charges Collect means the charges are collected from the consignee at the destination.  

Note-The details can be acquired from the nearest Air India cargo office as well as booking portal available to authorized Agents/ GSA’s.

 Specific commodity rates are offered for commodities from a specified point of origin to a specified destination.

 The cut-off time for acceptance of domestic cargo is three hours prior to the departure of the flight subject to booking confirmation. However, to avoid congestion at terminals tendering cargo earlier is a good practice.

The cut off time for acceptance of international cargo is four hours prior to the departure of the flight after completing all the customs formalities subject to confirmed booking. However, to avoid congestion at terminals tendering cargo earlier is a good practice.

Carriage of human remains is under special arrangements and is subject to furnishing requisite documents.

The following documents are required for the carriage of human remains if the transportation is on domestic flights of Air India: 

• Death Certificate
• Cremation Certificate (If as ashes)
• Embalming Certificate (If in coffin)
• Police Certificate is compulsory, if the death is unnatural.

The following additional documents are required for the carriage of human remains if the transportation is on international flights of Air India:

• Cancelled passport
• Consular Certificates (from the office of the Consular of the nationality of the deceased) for further information you may contact the nearest Air India cargo office.

Yes, Air India allows you to carry pet dogs as cargo. The acceptance and handling of live animals shall be in accordance with the requirements of the current IATA Live Animals Regulations. Carrier shall accept animal shipments for which space and advance arrangements have been confirmed.

Only those animals which appear to be in good health shall be accepted for transportation. A Health /Quarantine certificate from a practicing veterinary doctor is also required. For further details, the nearest Air India cargo office may be contacted.

Yes, unaccompanied baggage can be transported as Cargo on Air India‘s domestic and international flights.

You need to provide prior intimation if you are carrying any of the following items:

• Shipments of unusual shape and size
• Human remains
• Perishables
• Valuable cargo
• Livestock
• Dangerous goods
• Any other shipment requiring special handling /care.

Yes, you can book your shipments on "To-Pay" basis wherein the consignee can make the due payments to Air India at the time of delivery. However, the following shipments will not be accepted under "TO-Pay" basis:

• Perishables
• Newspapers
• Human remains
• Unaccompanied baggage /personal effects
• Where the re-sale value of the goods would be less than the total amount to be collected
• Livestock
• As per country/carrier regulations.

There are certain types of cargo which are not acceptable for carriage by air they are:

• Goods liable to endanger the aircraft, persons, or property
• Goods which are prohibited by law/regulation of the country of origin/destination/transit/overflown.

The shipper is responsible for ensuring that the cargo is packed appropriately for carriage to ensure that it can be carried safely with ordinary care in handling and so as not to injure or damage any persons, goods, or property. Each package shall be legibly and durably marked with the name and full address of the shipper and consignee. Individual packages of each consignment must show the same consignee’s name, street and city address as on the AWB, or this information must be shown on one or more packages with an appropriate reference on all other packages in the consignment. The cargo which is accepted for carriage must be in "Ready for Carriage" state.