Structured Lists Directory

Overview

IATA Cargo Codes

IATA Cargo Codes are Special Handling Codes (SHC) for air cargo defined by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). These codes are used to identify cargo requiring special handling such as live animals, perishables, valuables, and dangerous goods, ensuring proper transportation management. Defined in the IATA TACT Rules and Cargo IMP Manual, they are used universally by airlines and cargo handlers worldwide.

IATA air cargo special handling codes international shipping dangerous goods logistics
code slug name description category
ACT active-temperature-controlled Active Temperature Controlled System Cargo requiring active temperature control. temperature
AOG aircraft-on-ground Aircraft on Ground Urgent parts needed for aircraft repair or maintenance. priority
AVI live-animal Live Animal Code used for transportation of live animals. live
BIG outsized Outsized Oversized cargo exceeding standard dimensions. size
CAO cargo-aircraft-only Cargo Aircraft Only Cargo that can only be transported on cargo aircraft, not passenger aircraft. restriction
COL cool-goods Cool Goods Refrigerated cargo requiring storage and transport at 2°C to 8°C. temperature
CRT control-room-temperature Control Room Temperature Cargo requiring management at room temperature range of 15°C to 25°C. temperature
EAT foodstuffs Foodstuffs Food products cargo. general
FIL undeveloped-film Undeveloped/Unexposed Film Undeveloped or unexposed film. sensitive
FRO frozen-goods Frozen Goods Frozen cargo requiring storage and transport at -18°C or below. temperature
HEA heavy-cargo Heavy Cargo Heavy cargo of 150 kg or more per piece. size
HEG hatching-eggs Hatching Eggs Eggs for hatching. live
HUM human-remains Human Remains in Coffin Human remains in a coffin. special
ICE dry-ice Dry Ice Solid carbon dioxide (dry ice). dangerous
LHO living-human-organs Living Human Organs/Blood Living human organs or blood. priority
MAG magnetized-material Magnetized Material Magnetized materials. dangerous
PEA hunting-trophies Hunting Trophies, Skins, Hide Hunting trophies, skins, hide and articles of species. regulatory
PEF flowers Flowers Fresh flowers. perishable
PEM meat Meat Meat cargo. perishable
PEP fruits-vegetables Fruits and Vegetables Fruits and vegetables cargo. perishable
PER perishable-cargo Perishable Cargo Time and temperature-sensitive perishable cargo. perishable
PES fish-seafood Fish/Seafood Fish and seafood cargo. perishable
PIL pharmaceuticals Pharmaceuticals Pharmaceutical cargo. pharma
QRT quick-ramp-transfer Quick Ramp Transfer Cargo requiring quick ramp transfer. priority
RAC reserved-air-cargo Reserved Air Cargo Reserved air cargo. priority
VAL valuable-cargo Valuable Cargo High-value valuable cargo. security
VUN vulnerable-cargo Vulnerable Cargo Physically vulnerable cargo. sensitive
WET wet-cargo Wet Cargo Wet material not packed in watertight containers. general
XPS priority-small-package Priority Small Package Small package requiring priority handling. priority
RFG flammable-gas Flammable Gas Dangerous Goods Class 2.1 flammable gas. dangerous
RFL flammable-liquid Flammable Liquid Dangerous Goods Class 3 flammable liquid. dangerous
ROX oxidizer Oxidizer Dangerous Goods Class 5.1 oxidizer. dangerous
RPB toxic-substance Toxic Substance Dangerous Goods Class 6.1 toxic substance. dangerous
RIS infectious-substance Infectious Substance Dangerous Goods Class 6.2 infectious substance. dangerous
RRW radioactive-white Radioactive Material Category I-White Dangerous Goods Class 7 radioactive material Category I. dangerous
ELI lithium-ion-excepted Lithium Ion Batteries Excepted Lithium ion batteries excepted from IATA DGR. dangerous
RLI lithium-ion-regulated Lithium Ion Batteries Regulated Fully regulated lithium ion batteries. dangerous

Special handling codes for air cargo defined by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).