Shipping Guidelines

Lynden Air Cargo transports hazardous materials (hazmat) and adheres to the rules set forth in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations.

Hazardous materials shipments must be properly classified, packaged, and labeled by the shipper prior to delivering to our Service Center. When shipping any hazardous material, a hazmat declaration must be prepared by the shipper and provided to Lynden Air Cargo in order for it to fly. Our warehouse personnel can provide the paperwork to do so but it is the shipper’s responsibility to complete it. Download our Dangerous Goods Shippers Declaration form.

For guidance and help completing hazmat packaging, labeling, or for general questions, we suggest contacting TGI Freight for assistance.

Small used gas-powered items, such as generators or chainsaws, are considered dangerous goods for air transport and must be completely empty of fuel prior to dropping off the shipment. There are no means to empty gas tanks at Lynden Air Cargo’s facility. This must be completed beforehand.

There is an additional fee applied per shipment, listed on our rates page.

Examples of hazmat shipments are provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

We recognize losing a loved one is difficult. Our team will take the utmost care to bring them home safely and ease the process. A designated funeral home can also often help to facilitate these shipments and the requirements involved.

Lynden Air Cargo must be notified 24 hours in advance of shipping for flight building purposes. Human remains must be dropped off no later than four hours before scheduled departure time in order to make the flight, and recovered no more than four hours upon flight arrival.

Shipments of human remains move on Lynden Air Cargo’s Priority service level and are transported at 200% of the tariff rates, as listed on our rates page. A copy of the death certificate must be affixed to the casket or container as well as handed to our customer service team, along with a completed air waybill.

Lynden Air Cargo also accepts shipments of cremated remains. Cremated remains must move on our Priority service level and be declared on the air waybill when delivered to our Service Center.

Lynden Air Cargo offers Keep From Freezing (KFF) service to protect goods during the colder months that would become unusable or ruined if freezing were to occur. Some examples include paint, turbines, and oil. KFF service is seasonal and typically offered between September and April each year.

The customer is responsible for determining whether the shipment requires KFF protection and declaring it on the air waybill or bill of lading when the cargo is dropped off to our Service Center. Please be sure to also notify our customer service and/or warehouse teams verbally at time of drop-off. There is no additional fee for KFF service.

Lynden Air Cargo has safely transported a wide variety of live animals including smaller pets, such as dogs and cats, and larger animals including whales, muskox, and elephants, all over the world. Smaller pets can move on our Scheduled Service within Alaska while larger animals are better suited for our On-Demand Service.

Lynden Air Cargo must be notified of an incoming live animal 24 hours beforehand for flight building purposes. The shipper is responsible for supplying the kennel, cage, trailer, or other enclosure to accompany the animal during transportation. A leash or lead and food are also recommended. Lynden can supply water before and after the flight, as needed. Live animals must be dropped off no later than four hours before scheduled departure time in order to make the flight, and picked up no more than one hour upon flight arrival. The shipper and receiver should both be available by phone in case there are any last-minute changes in the flight schedule.

Shipments of live animals move on Lynden Air Cargo’s Priority service level and are transported at 150% of the tariff rates, as listed on our rates page.

At Lynden Air Cargo, we are determined to fly your perishable items in immaculate condition. Delivering fresh produce to rural Alaska is something we pride ourselves on. We want to make sure you receive your goods in excellent condition, so we have a few tips below.

• We offer chill and freeze storage areas at our Service Centers in Anchorage and Bethel. We offer freeze storage only at our Emmonak, Kotzebue, and St. Mary’s locations. Our Nome location does not offer perishable storage at this time.
• Chill and freeze freight need to be declared upon check-in. It must be reflected on your air waybill description.
• We offer chill and freeze stickers; our warehouse personnel will make sure your freight gets labeled accordingly.
• During the normal loading and unloading process, chill and freeze freight will not be in a temperature-controlled area. Please make sure your perishables can withstand being out of temp for 6-8 hours. We highly suggest gel ice packs and insulated shipping containers.
• Leaking packages will not be accepted.

Lynden Air Cargo transports new and used vehicles, including snow machines, ATVs, and side by sides on our Scheduled Service within Alaska.

There are a few things to consider before your item is ready to ship. There must be less than 1/4 tank of gas in your vehicle, and snow machines, ATVs, and side by sides need to be as empty as possible in order to transport these items by air. There are no means to empty gas tanks at Lynden Air Cargo’s facility. This must be completed beforehand. We do not require these shipments to be palletized and/or crated but the shipper is responsible for properly securing and protecting their items for transportation. Lynden Air Cargo does not provide crating services. Personal effects are not allowed in vehicles, snow machines, ATVs or side by sides for air transportation as this can affect weight and balance of the aircraft.

A Dangerous Goods Shippers Declaration form should be completed and submitted when dropping off your used vehicle, snow machine, or ATV. For general guidance and assistance completing the form, please contact TGI Freight.

Other rates and fee(s) apply to transport these items, as listed on our rates page.

Lynden Air Cargo can also transport oversized vehicles and equipment worldwide. Please contact our team for more information.

Lynden Air Cargo offers reliable transportation for chilled or frozen wild game meat, seafood, taxidermy items, and antlers on our scheduled routes throughout Alaska. To ensure timely service and product integrity, please review the requirements below.

Packaging Requirements

• Shipper is responsible for proper, leak-proof packaging and protection
• Cargo may be exposed to outside temperatures during loading/unloading
• Packaging must maintain internal temperature for up to 8 hours
• No leaks permitted (fees may apply if leakage occurs)

Packaging Standards

To protect your shipment, it is strongly recommended that all items are securely packaged in rigid, stackable containers such as:   

• Bulk containers
• Fish boxes
• Totes, bins, or lined cardboard boxes

Important: game bags on pallets are accepted only if fully tarped.

Recommended Containers

• Husky 45 Gal. Latch and Stack Tote with Wheels in Black with Red Lid 206201 – The Home Depot
• Coleman 316 Series 150QT Hard Chest Cooler, Silver Ash – Walmart.com
• Gaylords – AK Packaging (akpkg.com)
• Custom Packaging Services: Secure & Protect Your Belongings (packagingstorealaska.com)

Important: All containers must be clearly labeled with the shipper’s name and phone number.

Box Availability

• Lined cardboard boxes (48″ × 40″ × 36″) are available in St. Mary’s and Emmonak for $150 each
• Availability is first‑come, first‑served and not guaranteed, especially during September peak season
• If boxes are unavailable, the tarped rate of $1.30/lb. will apply

Labeling Requirements 

• All totes and gear must have shipper name and phone number written clearly and visible on packaging
• All wild game meat and seafood must be clearly marked as “CHILL” or “FREEZE”
  • On the air waybill
  • Clearly visible on each package
  • Unlabeled game meat will be placed in freezer storage by default
• Verbally notify our customer service and/or warehouse teams at drop-off

Important: chill storage is not available in Anchorage during peak season (September).

Air Waybill Guidelines

• A Game Meat, Fish, Antler, Cape Declaration form is required for all shipments of game meat, fish, antlers, or capes
  • Only one shipper/hunter per air waybill
  • Clearly label all packages with the consignee/receiver’s name at destination
    • Shipments can only be released to one entity. If there are changes to your consignee, please notify Lynden Air Cargo as soon as possible
  • Hunting and camping gear may not be shipped with game meat, seafood, or antlers
    • Separate air waybills are required
  • One set of antlers per air waybill
    • If antlers belong to different individuals, each requires its own air waybill
    • Only one name may be listed per air waybill
  • Please retain a copy of the air waybill and present for pickup

Regulatory Requirements

State and federal permits or forms may be required to transport wild game meat. 

It is the shipper’s responsibility to understand and comply with all applicable regulations.

Backhaul Shipments to Anchorage

• Backhaul shipments must be picked up within 24 hours of notification
• Storage fees apply after 24 hours: $150 per pallet per day
• Do not arrive for pickup until you are contacted by our Anchorage Customer Service team
  • The 24‑hour window begins when you are notified, not when the flight arrives
• If using an expeditor:
  • Ensure they understand the 24‑hour pickup requirement
  • Delays during peak season are common and do not waive storage fees
  • Shipments must be paid in full before release

Game Meat Backhaul Pricing

• Recommended Packaging: $0.65 per lb.
• Tarped: $1.30 per lb.

Note: If game meat must be returned instead of hunting or camping gear, it may arrive in Anchorage before your gear.

Important Reminders

• Some hunting gear may be considered hazardous materials (e.g., propane tanks, ammunition, outboards)
  • All hazmat items must arrive with proper hazmat declarations and labels completed in Anchorage
  • We recommend contacting TGI Freight for hazmat preparation
• All game meat and seafood ship at shipper’s risk
  • No claims may be filed
  • Game meat and seafood have no commercial value

Additional Notes

• Freeze and chill storage at outstations is very limited, especially during peak season
• Storage is first‑come, first‑served
• Flights may change due to operational needs
  • Your shipment may not return on the flight you originally expected
  • Please plan accordingly

Please contact us with any questions

We’re here to help ensure your Alaska harvest reaches home safely.