（Please advise whether live edible seafood such as Live Lobsters should be handled as PER or AVI, and how they should be rated?）
Q.
Referring to Perishable Cargo Regulations and also to Container Requirement 57 of the Live Animal Regulations, seafood like Live Lobster, Shrimp, Shellfish can be packed under both packages. We know that shipper has to pay more for Live Animal transportation. So May I understand that IATA gave flexibility for shippers to ship such LIVE seafood as PER or AVI? Nowadays, I see a lot of Lobster shipped as PER instead of AVI around the world. Also, please advise whether AVI check list is to be used, and whether the AVI label should be attached to the package despite the fact that the shipment is shipped as PER? (30 Apr 10)
A.
TACT (The Air Cargo Tariff Manual) Rates Book in Section 2.2 ?gDescription Guidelines?h, it carries the following exception:
In all IATA areas, except ?gwithin IATA Area 1?h, CRABS, CRAYFISH, EELS, LOBSTERS, SOFT SHELL TURTLES, SNAILS, TROUT, when shipped live, need not be considered as subject to the live animal rate and May be classified under the appropriate foodstuffs or seafood item.
Therefore, it is perfectly okay to ship live lobsters, shrimps, shellfish as foodstuffs or seafood. This exception had been in existence for a very long time.
If available, AVI check list should be used. Some airlines use General check list but take attention to the package whether they are water tight and also whether they are strong enough to hold the live contents. It will be up to each airline to exercise best care in accepting the shipment as the merchandise lose value if they arrive dead. The AVI and the PER labels are both recommended to help care and attention in handling.
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