What will happen to my shipment if the box says "Cord blood," "Corneas" or the name of an organ?
If the box indicates one of the commodities listed above (with or without a pre-booking), the agent at tender will book it as Critical PPS. If the box has labeling indicating one of these commodities, but the contents are not consistent with that description and you wish to send the shipment as standard PPS, you must cover or remove all such labeling before the package can be tendered as standard PPS.
If the labeling is not covered/removed, it will be booked as Critical PPS and you (or the customer representative present) will be asked to write "Critical PPS" in the Nature and Quantity of Goods section of the Air Waybill (AWB). If you do not do so, the shipment will be refused.
What will happen to my shipment if I do not want to use Critical PPS?
If you are tendering cord blood, corneas or a human organ not for transplant and you do not want the Critical PPS service, the agent at the station will not accept the shipment. For the safety of those commodities and the end user, these items cannot fly on American Airlines Cargo as standard PPS.
What do I do if I have an urgent shipment of any other commodity which I want to be shipped as Critical PPS?
If you are tendering Vaccines, Medical Equipment, Medicines and Pharmaceuticals, Human Blood or any non-medical items, you have an option between standard PPS or Critical PPS at the time of booking/tender. Once confirmed as Critical PPS, the VIC handling code, the appropriate commodity code will be selected, and the name of the individual who elected Critical PPS will be added to the remarks of the AWB. In addition, you (or the customer representative) will be asked to write “Critical PPS” in the Nature and Quantity of Goods section of the AWB.
If you choose standard PPS for these types of shipments, please do not use the VIC handling code.
When will these procedural changes go into effect?
These changes go into effect on January 2, 2019.
Are human blood and human tissue required to be shipped as Critical PPS?
No, human blood and human tissue are not required to ship as Critical PPS.
What is the difference between standard PPS and Critical PPS?
Standard PPS includes:
Critical PPS includes: