Prepare Your Shipment

Get Cargo Ready

Perimeter Cargo is here for you. Our experienced cargo experts are ready to provide fast, friendly, and reliable service.

On this page you’ll discover a comprehensive list of everything you need to know to prepare your shipment for a smooth journey!

Air waybill

Complete an air waybill with a Cargo agent onsite at one of our Cargo Offices.

The air waybill includes details such as weight, number of pieces, dimensions. You will be asked to clearly describe your shipment for the air waybill, specifying if it’s a fridge, freezer, or dry goods, and include contract conditions.

If you are a Corporate Client and have prepared the air waybill yourself and there are changes to it that could affect the billing amount, like re-weighing, we’ll notify you with an electronic Notice of Correction.

Documentation

All paperwork needed to identify the nature of the goods, along with transit documents mandated by government authorities, must be filled out and/or reviewed. It also needs to travel alongside the air waybill.

Electronic submission of this information is acceptable (where permitted), adhering to IATA procedures and standards. This includes declarations or disclosure documents needed for your shipment.

In the case of dangerous goods shipments, a Shipper’s Declaration is necessary. For shipments containing Section II lithium batteries packed with or included in equipment, you’ll need the Lithium Batteries – Section II – Shipper’s Transport Document. Learn more about Transporting Dangerous Goods.

Packing and Packaging

Shipments should be packed in a manner conducive to security screening and ensuring safe handling during transportation. It’s crucial that the volume and weight of your shipment match the details in your booking.

According to Transport Canada regulations, every package must be securely packed before being loaded onto an aircraft. To ensure this, warehouse personnel at the shipment’s origin must verify all pieces. Please also make sure that:

Each shipment includes a packing list of all items.
The shipment is prepared for safe carriage with ordinary care and handling.
Fragile shipments are appropriately packaged and labeled for protection against ordinary care and handling, atmospheric pressure variations, or temperature changes.
Styrofoam is avoided as outer packaging.
Every piece of the shipment is clearly and durably marked with the shipper and consignee’s name and address.
The packaging for compassionate transport complies with all relevant shipping requirements.
Dangerous Goods shipments are considered ready for carriage only after passing the Dangerous Goods check.

Labelling and Identification

Every piece in a shipment must be clearly and permanently marked with the Shipper and Consignee’s name and address. Each package must also have a completed cargo identification label attached which clearly indicates the contents for transport. All labels must be fully visible, and all old labels and markings must be removed.

Items with specific identification requirements include:

Meat products, which must be shipped frozen and appropriately labeled.
Items requiring fridge or freezer storage, which must have clear labels to ensure proper handling while in our possession.
Hazardous materials listed in IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, which must adhere to the packing, marking, and labeling requirements specified in those Regulations.
Transportation of live animals, which must comply with container requirements outlined in Live and Rescue Animals as well as our cargo tariff.

Weight and Dimensions

The weight and dimensions must match the details provided on the air waybill. If there is a discrepancy, the shipment may be returned to the shipper resulting in forfeiture of fees and/or additional fees.

Pieces with a floor bearing weight more than that which can be loaded on available aircraft must be provided with a suitable skid or base which will distribute the weight to that which can be loaded on available aircraft. The weight of such skid or base shall be included in the weight of the shipment.

Shipping Guidelines

To meet performance standards and current regulatory and security control requirements, Perimeter Cargo strictly follows a thorough goods acceptance process. All shipments must meet and follow all applicable Transport Canada regulations.

Property is deemed acceptable for air transportation only when the Shipper, Consignee, or owner has complied with the rules of the tariff and all applicable laws, ordinances, and other governmental regulations governing its transportation.

Shipments Subject to Advance Arrangement

The following will be acceptable for carriage only upon advance arrangement:

Shipments requiring special attention, protection, or care.
Shipments of articles of extraordinary (value is $5,001 to $20,000)
Shipments having a declared value of $20,000 CAD or more.
Shipments of live animals.
Shipments of human remains.
Shipments of firearms.
Pieces requiring special handling and/or loading devices.
Shipments requiring accompanying personnel
Carrier may add other items that would require advance notice, e.g. the transportation of antlers or horns, or packages of extreme length or unusual shape.

Shipments Not Accepted

Shipments that contain items posing a risk to aircraft, individuals, or property, or that may cause disturbance to passengers will not be accepted.
Weight, size, and the nature of shipments may be limited based on the aircraft’s capacity and accommodation. This is at the carrier’s discretion.
Animals that are not properly and securely crated will not be accepted.
Shipments requiring the Perimeter Aviation to obtain a Federal, Provincial, or Local license for transportation, if the carrier chooses not to comply with the licensing requirements.
Items inadequately packaged, which may sustain damage during handling or be ruined when exposed to adverse weather conditions will not be accepted.

View a complete list of allowed, prohibited and illegal items.

Additional Stipulations

Perimeter Aviation maintains the authority to decline a shipment before air transportation from the airport of origin if it reasonably appears that the shipment is:

Improperly packed or packaged.
Susceptible to damage if exposed to heat or cold.
Inherently defective or of a nature indicating that air transportation could result in loss of or damage to the goods.
Not accompanied by proper documentation and required information as mandated by any convention, statute, or applicable tariff.
Subject to advance arrangements unless satisfactory completion of such arrangements has been confirmed.
When a shipment accepted for air transportation is suspected to contain illegal substances or articles the carrier has agreed not to ship, the carrier reserves the right to open and inspect the shipment.
If such a shipment is found to contain illegal substances or articles, such as illegal drugs, firearms, weapons, or explosives, the carrier will promptly notify the appropriate law enforcement agency. The carrier’s employees will fully cooperate with the law enforcement agency.

Security Adherence

All shipments undergo security screening and must be prepared for transportation in accordance with security control instructions from Transport Canada and any additional instructions from Perimeter Cargo.

In cases where cargo cannot be satisfactorily screened, it may be disassembled into smaller pieces to obtain a clear image, with associated breakdown and build-up fees applicable.

If undeclared Dangerous Goods are found upon screening, Perimeter reserves the right to reject a shipment before air transportation, and the Shipper is subject to Dangerous Goods processing.

Upon acceptance of a shipment for air transportation, if there is suspicion that it contains illegal substances or articles barred from shipment by the carrier, the carrier has the right to open and inspect the shipment.

If the shipment is found to contain illegal substances or articles, such as illegal drugs, firearms, weapons, or explosives, the carrier will promptly notify the appropriate law enforcement agency. The Perimeter’s employees will fully cooperate with the law enforcement agency.

Shipper’s Responsibility

Shippers are responsible for ensuring their shipments comply with all applicable rules and regulations. This includes proper packaging, accurate identification, correct labelling, and accompanying the shipment with all necessary documentation.

The shipper, consignee, or owner must adhere to the rules and regulations specified in the tariffs, as well as all relevant laws, ordinances, and governmental regulations governing the transportation of shipments.

Conditions of Contract

For more details, including the full limit of liability, liability exclusions, declared value, and other information relevant to shipping your cargo, please refer to our cargo tariff.