What is Air Cargo?

Air Cargo means anything which is carried or needs to be carried in an aircraft, booked from one destination to another, under an Airway Bill.

How can I book my shipment through PIA Cargo? Procedure, Documentations, Regulations?

The Shipment needs to be handed over to PIA Cargo Booking Offices (In Pakistan and abroad) directly or through a certified Cargo Agent. An Airway Bill will be issued against the shipment. The shipment will be put up for customs clearance which is normally through Customs Approved Agents and then handed over to PIA. PIA will deliver it at the destination to the consignee designated by the shipper in the Airway Bill. However goods that are prohibited due to the regulations of the country of destination will be declined acceptance.
Dangerous Goods, Live Animals, Perishable items, Human Remains, Valuable Items have specific regulations (both at Origin & Destination) which need to be followed as per the IATA requirements.
For more information regarding the PIA booking contacts in Pakistan & abroad please see Contacts

What Quantity of Shipment can be booked as Cargo on PIA?

Any quantity of shipment can be booked through PIA Cargo. There is no weight limit on either higher side or the lower. However for huge or odd sized shipments which may prove difficult to load on the aircraft, please contact nearest PIA Offices for confirmation.

How is Cargo Tariff Calculated?

Cargo Tariff is charged on per Kilogram basis; on either the weight or the volume (which ever is higher). Goods, for example, Live Animals, Dangerous Goods, Perishables, and Valuables etc which require special handling are charged accordingly.

How to book Live Animals?

Each kind of animal has got different requirements for air shipment regarding the size & type of the cage, health certificates and other documentation. These regulations vary from country to country.
For more information regarding the procedures to be followed, please contact any IATA authorized agent or PIA office contacts provided in the Contacts section

What are Dangerous Goods? How to Ship Dangerous Goods?

Dangerous Goods are the articles or substances which are capable of posing a significant threat to health, safety, property or the environment and which are classified as per the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations. Dangerous Goods are classified as under;

1. Explosives
2. Gases
   1. Flammable Gases
   2. Non-Flammable, Non-Toxic Gases
   3. Toxic Gas
3. Flammable Liquids
4. Flammable Solids
   1. Flammable Solids
   2. Substances liable to spontaneous combustion
   3. Substances which when come in contact with water emit flammable gases
5. Oxidizing Substances
   1. Oxidizers
   2. Organic Peroxide
6. Poisonous / Toxic Substances
   1. Toxic Substances
   2. Infectious Substances
7. Radioactive Materials
8. Corrosives
9. Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods

Each type of Dangerous Good has been allocated a specific UN number. Specified cargo instructions must be followed for their Documentation, Handling, Packing and Loading
PIA strictly complies with the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (as given in the IATA DGR Manual). In order to book a shipment, an IATA certified agent or the nearest PIA booking office may be consulted for instructions / assistance.

How can Human Remains be booked on PIA?

PIA books Human Remains on all of its flights from / to all destinations. However following conditions need to be met while booking Human Remains on PIA;

1. Death Certificate from Licensed Medical Practioner / Hospital.
2. No-Objection / Clearance Certificate from the local Police Authorities
3. Coffin Packing Certificate / Embalming Certificate
4. No Objection Certificate from the concerned embassy (In case of International Transportation)

What is Un-accompanied baggage (UAB)?

It is the baggage shipped as Cargo consisting of only personal effects and articles of the passenger (including apparel, portable musical instruments, portable typewriters, sports equipment, etc but not including machinery, machine spare parts, money, securities, jewellery, watches, furs, films, cameras, tickets, documents, liquors, perfumes, and articles of household furnishing and merchandize).

How Can Un-accompanied Baggage (UAB) booked as Cargo?

If you are traveling through PIA and have excess baggage (more than maximum allowed as accompanied baggage), you can get it booked on PIA Cargo Service which is offered at more economical rates than the excess baggage charges at Airport Check-in Counters. The luggage will be booked as Cargo at PIA Cargo Booking Offices before departure. The presence of the shipper will be required at the booking offices for customs clearance.
It is recommended that the UAB should be booked at least one day prior to the departure of the passenger.
Does PIA offer Compensation for Lost / Damaged Cargo?
PIA Cargo is committed to take good care of the Cargo Shipments. However due to any unforeseen reason, if the shipment is damaged or lost, PIA does offer compensations to the shipper. The compensation is offered as per the international conventions like the Warsaw Convention and the Hague Protocol. Generally the legal liability is;

• US $ 24 / Kg on International Sectors*
• Pak Rs. 500/Kg on Domestic Sectors*
  *Conditions may apply.

For valuable items, the value of the goods must be declared at the time of the booking of Cargo.

In this case, Valuable Goods Handling Charges and Insurance will have to paid by the shipper.
The compensation will be according to the Declared Value of the Shipment.