Here are some general packaging and labeling guidelines to keep in mind when shipping items with United Cargo. If you have any special cargo, such as perishables or seafood, see the Special Handling requirements under our services section. If you have any other questions or concerns regarding packaging or TSA security requirements, please contact United Cargo.

1. Shipments must be prepared or packaged to insure safe transportation with ordinary care in handling.
2. Any article susceptible to damage by ordinary handling or as a result of any condition which may be encountered in air transportation must be adequately protected by proper packing and bear appropriate labels or markings.
3. All shipments of articles and commodities which are susceptible to leakage must be packed by the shipper in solid, leak-proof boxes or inner containers such as heavy polyvinyl bags.
4. Each piece must be legibly and durably marked with the name and address of the Shipper and Consignee.
5. Pieces with a weight in excess of the floor bearing capacity of available aircraft must be provided with a suitable skid or base which will distribute the weight of the pieces so as not to exceed such aircraft capacity. The weight of the Shipment must include the weight of the skid or base.
6. Cut Flowers and Nursery Stock Shipments must show the total cubic measurement on the exterior of all boxes.
7. Liquids or fragile or perishable articles must not be enclosed in the same package as wearing apparel.
8. Packing, marking and labeling of hazardous materials/dangerous goods must comply with the Dangerous Goods Regulations, issued by International air Transport Association (IATA).
9. Firearms must be packed in a manufacturer's crushproof container made specifically for the firearm(s), or in a hard case. Firearms must be unloaded for transportation.

European Community Packaging Alert

Effective Oct 1, 2001, the Commission of the European Communities (EU) has adopted emergency measures requiring the treatment and marking of all new and used coniferous (e.g. pines, spruce, fir) non-manufactured wood packing material originating in the U.S., Canada, China or Japan. The implementation of these measures is to prevent the introduction of the pinewood nematode, a microscopic eelworm that has caused extensive mortality in pines in Japan and China.

For United Airlines flights departing on or after October 1, 2001 the EU emergency measures allow three treatment options for coniferous non-manufactured wood packing material (NMWP):

• Heat treatment (HT)
• Fumigation
• Chemical pressure impregnation (CPI)

United will screen all shipments tendered for transatlantic transportation to ensure identification of NMWP material. We will require all shipments containing NMWP material comply with one of the following:

• Packaging must bear an approved mark indicating the coniferous NMWP has been treated and is clearly visible to the accepting agent.
• A statement on the air waybill in the handling information box, stating the packaging materials used are in compliance with the European Union emergency measures.
• A separate statement on the company letterhead stating the packaging materials used are in compliance with the European Union emergency measures.