GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 16, 2026
Air Cargo Cold Chain Security
Air Cargo Cold Chain Security refers to the complete system of measures, procedures, and controls that keep temperature-sensitive shipments—pharmaceuticals, biologics, and certain perishables—within defined temperature limits throughout handling, ground storage, and air transport.
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Source: https://www.iata.org/en/programs/cargo/pharmaceutical/
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Definition & Explanation
Air Cargo Cold Chain Security refers to the complete system of measures, procedures, and controls that keep temperature-sensitive shipments—pharmaceuticals, biologics, and certain perishables—within defined temperature limits throughout handling, ground storage, and air transport. In practice this means validated insulated packaging with gel packs or dry ice, uninterrupted temperature monitoring via calibrated data loggers, and carefully managed handovers at critical transfer points such as loading, unloading, and transit storage. In the pharmaceutical sector, requirements are benchmarked against the IATA Temperature Control Regulations (TCR) and Good Distribution Practice (GDP) guidelines. Customs inspections pose a particular challenge, as they can break the cold chain if not coordinated in advance between the authorities and the shipper. Breaches lead to product loss and financial damage—and, for vaccines or narrow-window biologics, to regulatory penalties that can affect market authorisation.
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