There are several federal rules that govern the shipment of
perishable goods. These rules are set by the
- United States Department of Transportation (DOT)
- International Air Transport Association (IATA)
It is extremely important that regulations for perishable
products be followed to ensure that fresh products are delivered
to the consumer.
In order to ensure that all rules are being followed you
should consult the package carrier prior to shipment of
the goods to determine specific regulations they may require.
To understand whether or not the good you are shipping
is perishable, you should refer to the definition set by the IATA.
They define a shipment as perishable if its contents deteriorate
over a given period of time if exposed to harsh environmental conditions,
such as excessive temperature or humidity. Once it is established
that the product you plan to ship is perishable, you will need to
proceed with the recommended practices of the carrier. A method
of shipping a perishable product would be to freeze the good or
refrigerate the product in transit.
Dry ice is the solid form of
carbon dioxide and is extremely cold (-109.5°F). However, carbon
dioxide is commonly found in the earth’s atmosphere in its
gaseous state. Dry ice will change directly from a solid to a gas
at a rate of 5-10 pounds per 24 hours in a cooler. One of the most
beneficial characteristics of dry ice is that it changes from liquid
to gas during the thawing process, thus giving it the name of “dry
ice.” This is advantageous in comparison to water ice since
there is not a liquid state and will not saturate the package and
product with water.
The biggest drawback to using dry ice is the level
of regulations that govern its use. Specifically, the rules are
based on the hazardous nature of dry ice. The potential hazards
of dry ice during transportation include explosion, suffocation
and contact hazards. However, the risks with each of these can be
addressed with proper planning and preparation.
AQIS operates under the conditions
and restrictions of the Export Control Act 1982. Certain goods are
subject to the provisions under the Act and associated Regulations
and Orders when they are prepared or processed for export.
As a general rule, AQIS only assists in the export
of prescribed goods. Depending on what you want to export, the requirements
you must meet will vary. The Act specifies that goods are 'prescribed'
or 'non-prescribed'.
Prescribed goods include:
- Dairy
- Fish
and Fish Products
- Plants
and Plant Products
- Eggs
and Egg products
- Grain
