In international air freight, regulations for oversized and overweight cargo are influenced by multiple factors, including the aircraft cargo hold structure, floor load-bearing capacity, and ground handling conditions.
In this article, Weefreight will provide detailed information, hoping it will be helpful.
Dimensional Restrictions: The cargo door on a conventional narrow-body passenger aircraft is approximately 1.5 meters wide and 1.6 meters high. For ease of loading, individual cargo pieces are typically limited to 3 meters in length. While wide-body aircraft can accommodate larger cargo, for efficient and safe loading and unloading, it is recommended that individual pieces be limited to 3 meters in length and 1.6 meters in height. Cargo exceeding 318 cm in length is considered “overlong cargo” and must be placed on the aircraft’s pallet rather than in a standard container, potentially occupying multiple airside pallets.
Weight Limits: Cargo weight limits vary depending on aircraft type. Medium-sized aircraft, such as the A320, A319, and A321 used by China Southern Airlines, limit the weight of a single piece of cargo to 200 kg. China Eastern Airlines’ weight limit on similar aircraft is 120 kg. Large freighters, such as the Boeing 747, Boeing 777, and Airbus A330, can carry cargo weighing between 800 kg and 2,000 kg. However, these aircraft have limited routes and airports, so flight details must be confirmed in advance. Additionally, some airports lacking heavy-duty forklifts cannot handle single pieces weighing over 500 kg.
Packaging Requirements: Oversized and overweight items must be properly packaged to ensure their safety during transportation. The packaging must be able to withstand the vibration and pressure of handling, loading and unloading, and flight. This may require the use of wooden crates, iron boxes, or other sturdy packaging materials, with appropriate anchoring and cushioning.
Surcharges: Transporting oversized or overweight cargo incurs multiple surcharges. Oversized items are subject to additional charges for palletizing, reinforcement, and space usage, as they require additional load-bearing wooden planks underneath and cannot be stacked above, resulting in wasted space. Overweight items also incur a “difficult handling fee,” which covers the cost of specialized lifting equipment and manpower. Some airlines implement tiered rates for oversized cargo. For example, if a single side exceeds 120 cm, a surcharge of 30%-50% of the base freight rate will be charged. If the item is also oversized or overweight, the charges are cumulative.
Declaration Requirements: Oversized cargo must be declared 7-15 days in advance to facilitate space coordination. Ad hoc applications may be rejected due to unavailable aircraft.
Special Regulations: Different airlines may have their own specific regulations. For example, Emirates considers items exceeding 300 cm on all three sides to be oversized; Delta Air Lines rejects items exceeding 190 cm on a single side; and Cathay Pacific requires a waiver agreement for items weighing over 100 kg.
During actual transportation, shippers must contact the freight forwarder or airline in advance and provide detailed information about their cargo, including dimensions, weight, and properties, so they can develop a reasonable transportation plan and ensure smooth delivery.
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