Labeling & Packaging

As the Shipper, it is your responsibility to:

Place the correct QR Code label on each piece of the shipment in a prominent location.
Ensure the AWB is attached to the lead piece of the shipment.
Indicate on each piece tendered the destination and consignee information
Indicate on each piece tendered (in indelible ink) any special handling requirements (cooler, freezer, keep from freezing, fragile, this way up).
Ensure all inner and outer packaging is sufficient to protect the commodity enclosed.
Properly package all perishable items to maintain optimum internal temperatures at all times during transit (gel-packs are the recommended refrigerant for fresh fish, seafood and shellfish).

Due to limited refrigeration facilities within remote communities, and the harsh conditions of the North, it is recommended that all perishable items be properly packaged to maintain optimum internal temperatures during loading and unloading, flight times, station stops en-route and holding for pick-up.

Please follow the below packaging and labeling guidelines. Failure to do so may result in damage to goods.

If your shipment is missing or damaged, please contact Cargo Claims at claims@canadiannorth.com

Handling Requirements For Special Goods

Special Goods

Many of the goods listed here are not considered Everyday Goods. Learn more about how their arrival times and rates are different than for Everyday Products here.

Oversized Items & Pets

Movement of pets and shipments of oversized goods need to be scheduled and quoted through Cargo Reservations at least 48 hours in advance.

Temperature-Controlled

Indicate on each box tendered (in indelible ink) any special handling requirements (cooler, freezer, keep from freezing, fragile, this way up).
Properly package all perishable items to maintain optimum internal temperatures at all times (gel-packs are the recommended refrigerant for fresh fish, seafood and shellfish).
Inner and outer packaging must be leak proof, able to maintain internal temperatures and be of adequate strength to protect the contents, taking into consideration the weight and nature of the items. Permits may be required.Inner and outer packaging must be leak proof, able to maintain internal temperatures and be of adequate strength to protect the contents, taking into consideration the weight and nature of the items. Permits may be required.

Live Animals

For more information, see the Travelling with Pets page.

Canadian North puts your animal’s safety and comfort first. If you are not traveling with your animal, please follow the below requirements to ensure your pet’s travel experience is stress-free.

Requirements

Restrictions

Canadian North will not accept animals that emit offensive odours, are hostile or in an agitated state at the time of tender.
Cats or dogs under 8 weeks old will not be accepted.
Live animals will not be accepted on a collect basis.
Some extra large kennels will not be accepted due to aircraft size, type and availability.
Animals will not be accepted more than 4 hours prior to the flights departure
Live animals will not be transferred onto another airline and arrangements must be made with the other carrier.

Kennels

Kennels must be certified pet carriers free of defects, leak-proof and must provide adequate ventilation for the animal.
Kennels must be large enough for your pet to stand, to turn around completely and to lie down.
Metal wire cages will not be accepted for carriage
It is recommended to label the kennel with the animal’s name and a spill proof container (such as a hamster water dispenser) be fastened to the kennel for water
Only two animal is permitted per kennel. - providing both animals have adequate space and are of the same species.

Other Tips

Feed the animal only a light meal and drink two hours before scheduled departure.
Exercise the animal immediately before leaving your premises.
Shipment of females in heat (oestrus) is not advised.
Females with unweaned litter will not be accepted.
Weaned puppies younger than eight weeks should not be transported due to possible dehydration during the flight.

Overnight kennel service fees may be required during transport in the event of severe weather or conditions beyond Canadian North’s control (including, but not limited to acts of god, force majeure, labour disturbances, civil commotions, wars or hostilities). These fees will be applied to the cartage and collected upon arrival at the animal intended destination. For further information or for bookings please contact Cargo Reservations at 1-800-267-1247

Live Seafood

In order to ensure the safe and unspoiled arrival of your live seafood, Canadian North enforces the following shipping requirements:

Packaging must consist of inner layer puncture resistant and leak proof liner
“Live Seafood – Cooler” must be clearly written on the box in indelible ink
Must be encased in a sealed sturdy Styrofoam box designed for shipping live seafood.
Must be packaged to maintain optimum internal temperature when exposed to high and low external temperatures during loading and unloading procedures.
Must be shipped Priority to ensure timely movement. See more information about shipping Priority here.

If the packaging and labeling requirements are not in place, the shipment will be refused at time of tender.

Secure (Valuables)

Any shipment with a known value of over $1,000 (Canadian or U.S. dollars) per kilogram must be shipped as a Secure good, regardless of the commodity.
Gems, Gold, Artwork, Carvings, Silver, Pearls, Furs/pelts, Jewellery, and Narcotics and controlled drugs, are considered Secure goods.
These high value shipments require a packing slip identifying contents and value.
All art must be labeled as fragile and properly packaged internally and externally. Declared Value cannot be applied.

Antlers

Labeling	Fragile / dry / sec
Interior Packaging	Antler tips must be covered with cardboard or styrofoam so as not to puncture other shipments or baggage. Packaging must be leak-proof so no spillage or seepage will occur.
Exterior Packaging	Sturdy corrugated cardboard, wooden crates, plastic, bubble wrap, or tarp are all acceptable packaging. Packaging such as jackets or tents that could impact the scanning of the contents is not acceptable. The shipment must be clean and clear of blood.
Loose items	The item is not to be wrapped in conjunction with other items but can be in the same duffle bag or action packer.
Documentation	Documentation is required and is available for download here.
Shipping Instructions	Must be shipped as “CN Temperature-Controlled” to ensure timely movement (see Shipping with Special Care for more information).

Auto Windshields or Glass

Labeling	Fragile; Glass; this way up (orientation labels)
Interior Packaging	Foam inserts to ensure no movement during handling and transportation
Exterior Packaging	Must be in a wooden crate to ensure no bending or punctures from other cargo, which can occur during transport or storage
Loose items	Must be packed separately
Documentation	Not required

Mattress and Box Springs

Labeling	Top Load only; this way up (orientation labels)
Interior Packaging	Sealed in plastic to protect from moisture during handling and transportation
Exterior Packaging	Must be solid exterior packaging (heavy cardboard or wood crate) to ensure no bending or punctures from other cargo, which can occur during transport or storage of consolidated cargo
Loose items	Must be packed separately
Documentation	Not required

Human Remains

The Canadian North team brings our core values of safety, integrity, service excellence, and respect to every step of transporting human remains with efficiency and with dignity. With checkpoints throughout the journey from first contact with Cargo Reservations through receiving, passing security, loading, receiving, and transferring to another airline if necessary, we are fully equipped to ensure the secure arrival of caskets and urns containing human remains.

Cargo Reservations will be in contact with the sender (Shipper) to advise them of the intended arrival time and alert them to any delays in receipt of their valued cargo. When the remains are collected, the recipient can see the careful steps taken at each step of the journey through the completed Air Waybill (AWB).

Please contact Cargo Reservations at cargoreservations@canadiannorth.com to receive a quote for your transportation needs. We request 24 hours’ notice prior to shipping and the Shipper must provide the following when sending the package from a local cargo office:

If the Cargo Reservations line is closed, your local Cargo Office may be available to assist you. Please see their hours and contact information here.

Non-cremated human remains must be contained in a hermetically sealed inner coffin of lead or zinc to prevent shifting and escape of offensive odors. They must be then placed in an outer shipping container of wood, particle board, corrugated fiberboard, plastic or other water repellent material having six handles and sufficient rigidity to protect the interior unit and its content from damage in ordinary care and handling.

Casket may be covered with a protective plastic cover prior to placement in the outer shipping container to protect against minor scratches or marks. If required for the protection of the casket and protruding handles, fiberboard inserts should be placed on the sides, tops and ends of soft pack outer shipping containers.
The head end of the outer shipping container must be identified to assist the handlers in aircraft loading and unloading operations.
The outer packaging of all shipments of human remains should bear full identification details (name of deceased as well as consignee’s name and address).
Cremated remains must be shipped in funeral urns that are efficiently cushioned by suitable packaging against breakage.
Cargo Reservations 24 hours in advance so that they may prepare to ship the human remains and complete an “Advance Arrangements Record.”

Kayaks and Canoes

Plastic or tarp wrapped recommended. Oars and paddles must be packaged separately.

Dangerous Goods - Cars and Trucks

Must be labeled as fragile and properly packaged internally and externally. Declared Value cannot be applied.

Dangerous Goods - Snow Machine/ATV/Hondas

Labeling	Fragile
Interior Packaging	Windshields must be removed and stored in a protective box
Exterior Packaging	Crated for Jet, uncrated but covered for Turbo prop
Loose items	Must be packed separately
Documentation	Required

These items are considered Dangerous Goods. Learn more here

Dangerous Goods - Firearms

Labeling	Not required
Interior Packaging	Must be unloaded
Exterior Packaging	Properly stored in locked container
Loose items	Ammunition must be packaged separately
Documentation	Firearms possession or acquisition licence required

These items are considered Dangerous Goods. Learn more here

Prohibited: Battery-Powered Vehicles

Please check with your local cargo office for more information about how to ship these items as fully-regulated Dangerous Goods via our cargo services.

Examples of small lithium battery-powered vehicles include: