Here Are the Air Freight Requirements for Exporting Frozen Fish

By. Wiwik Rasmini - 08 Jul 2026

kelolalaut.com Exporting frozen fish by air freight involves stricter requirements than sea freight due to food safety regulations, temperature control, aviation safety, and the import requirements of the destination country. The detailed requirements are as follows.

1. Product Requirements

Before packaging, the product must meet the following requirements:

The fish must be fresh before freezing.
The fish must be frozen using a blast freezer or plate freezer until the core temperature reaches -18°C or lower.
The product must not undergo thawing during storage.
The product must be free from bacterial contamination.
The product must be processed in a facility that is authorized for export.

Typical Storage Temperatures

Frozen Fish: -18°C
Sashimi-grade Tuna: -60°C
Fresh Chilled Fish: 0–4°C

2. Packaging Requirements

Packaging is one of the most critical aspects inspected by airlines.

A. Inner Packaging

The fish should first be packed using:

Food-grade plastic bags
Vacuum packaging (recommended)
Polyethylene (PE) bags
Shrink wrap

The purpose is to:

Prevent leakage
Preserve product quality
Minimize freezer burn

B. Secondary Packaging

Commonly used insulated containers include:

Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Styrofoam boxes
HDPE insulated boxes
Polyfoam boxes

Typical insulation thickness:

20 mm
25 mm
30 mm
40 mm

The longer the transit time, the thicker the insulation required.

C. Outer Packaging

The outer packaging generally consists of:

Double-wall corrugated cartons
Triple-wall corrugated cartons (recommended for long-distance exports)

Recommended carton specifications:

Minimum 5-ply
Preferably 7-ply

The carton must be strong enough to withstand airport handling and transportation.

3. Cooling Media

Several cooling options are available.

Dry Ice (Solid Carbon Dioxide)

Dry ice is the most commonly used cooling medium.

Temperature: Approximately -78°C

Advantages:

Maintains frozen conditions throughout transportation
Suitable for international air shipments

However, airlines impose limits on the amount of dry ice allowed on board.

Typical allowable quantities include:

5 kg
10 kg
20 kg

The permitted amount depends on the aircraft type and airline regulations.

Dry ice must be properly labeled as:

UN1845 – Dry Ice

because it is classified as Dangerous Goods (DG).

Gel Ice

Suitable for chilled products.

Not recommended for long-distance transportation of frozen fish.

Ice Packs

Generally used for domestic shipments only.

Not recommended for international frozen fish exports.

4. Dry Ice Ratio

As a general guideline:

Example:

Fish weight: 20 kg
Dry ice: 5–10 kg
Transit time: 24 hours

For shipments with a transit time of approximately 48 hours, the dry ice requirement may increase to 10–15 kg, depending on:

Ambient temperature
Number and duration of transit stops
Type and insulation performance of the packaging

5. Maximum Box Weight

Most airlines prefer cartons weighing:

20–30 kg per box

This weight is easier and safer for manual handling.

Boxes weighing:

40–50 kg

usually require palletized handling equipment.

6. Carton Labeling Requirements

Each carton should include at least the following information:

Product Name (Frozen Fish)
Net Weight
Gross Weight
Country of Origin
Exporter's Name
Importer's Name
Keep Frozen
Storage Temperature
Lot Number
Production Date
Expiry Date

If dry ice is used, the following additional information is required:

UN1845
Dry Ice
Weight of Dry Ice

7. Export Documentation

The following documents are generally required:

a. Commercial Invoice

b. Packing List

c. Air Waybill (AWB)

Issued by the airline or freight forwarder.

d. Health Certificate

Issued by the Indonesian Fish Quarantine Authority, certifying that the product is safe for human consumption.

e. Catch Certificate

Required by certain countries, such as members of the European Union, to certify that the fish was harvested legally.

f. Certificate of Origin (COO)

Required when applicable.

Examples include:

Form D
Form E
RCEP Certificate of Origin
Other preferential origin certificates depending on the destination country

g. Phytosanitary Certificate

Not required for fishery products.

This certificate applies only to plant products.

h. Export Declaration

The official customs export declaration required by the Indonesian Customs Authority.

8. Airline Requirements

Airlines typically inspect the shipment to ensure:

No leakage
No unpleasant odor
Strong and secure packaging
Dry ice quantity complies with airline limits
Complete and accurate labeling
Compliance with Dangerous Goods (DG) regulations, where applicable

9. Temperature Requirements

During transportation, the product temperature should remain:

≤ -18°C

The ideal storage temperature is:

-20°C or lower

If the product temperature rises to approximately:

-5°C

the shipment may be rejected by the buyer due to quality concerns.

10. Recommended Box Dimensions

Common carton sizes include:

40 × 30 × 25 cm
60 × 40 × 30 cm

The dimensions should be compatible with airline pallet configurations.

Tips for Safe Air Shipment

Use vacuum packaging to minimize leakage and reduce freezer burn.
Ensure that all packaging is leak-proof and odor-free.
For high-value products, use a temperature data logger to record the temperature throughout the shipment.
Whenever possible, choose direct flights to minimize the risk of temperature fluctuations during transit.
Coordinate with your freight forwarder regarding the maximum quantity of dry ice permitted by the airline, as regulations vary among carriers.