Air Cargo Transportation Restrictions and Hazards. Research Paper

Air Cargo Transportation Restrictions and Hazards
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Air Cargo Transportation Restrictions and Hazards
Oversized Cargo, Hazardous Cargo, Classified Cargo
Air cargo transportation refers to the transportation of shipments and property aboard aircrafts and cargo jets. The process involves not only ensuring security detail runs on goods, but also preparing the goods for shipment. Air mail, freight and express are all part of air cargo (Allaz, 2005). Air cargo transportation has certain rules and restrictions that act as guidelines in the carriage and delivery of oversized, hazardous and other classified cargo.
There are various types of cargoes. These could include perishable cargo, oversized, hazardous, valuables, live animals, human remains among other classifications. For these cargoes to be transported to and from the United States, they must first adhere to the policies and restrictions. Perishable cargo refers to goods that are likely to decay or spoil quickly. Examples of these goods include dairy products, flowers, plants, seafood, medical supplies and live organs. Agricultural products such as dairy products can only be transported in the quota approved by the department of Agriculture in the Foreign Agricultural Service in Washington, DC (United States Customs and Border Protection, 2006).
The consignor requires a permit as well as an import or export license from the department involved. Meat, poultry and egg products are prohibited from being transported from countries where diseases such as High Pathogen Avian Influenza (H5NI) have been detected. Fruits, vegetables and nuts have restrictions on size, grade, maturity and quality before they can be approved for transportation. When dealing with imports, they have to be inspected in order to safeguard the health and well-being of United States citizens (United States Customs and Border Protection, 2006). Once the cargo follows these requirements, then the goods can be approved for transportation and distribution.
Live animals, fish, insects, reptiles among others, are another classification of air cargo. There are restrictions on the transportation of certain insects that can be hazardous to cultivated crops. Such insects are prohibited unless for approved scientific purposes like research. All cargoes must have permits from the Animal and Plant Inspection Service (United States Customs and Border Protection, 2006). In the case of live animals, it is prohibited to transport them to areas that have been designated as quarantine stations. The consignor is required to have a veterinary health certificate to accompany all animals being transported.
In addition, radioactive materials, firearms, explosives, ammunition and implements of war are considered a hazard since not only can they endanger the aircra...