Dual Temperature Acceptance

Dual-temperature handling is not a theoretical future requirement; it is an established operational reality across global pharmaceutical air cargo. Shipments routinely require a planned transition from CRT transport conditions to COL storage at destination, yet the current AWB framework does not recognise or support this scenario. This misalignment and the absence of clear standards, forces the industry to depend on informal workarounds that vary by lane, carrier and station, creating unnecessary risk and inconsistency.
To address this gap, the sector requires standardisation, both in how dual-temperature instructions are documented and in how they are communicated across the logistics chain. The proposed DTA framework offers one practical, compliant and operationally simple pathway to achieve this. It provides a structured mechanism for declaring the planned transition, ensuring that all parties receive clear, actionable instruction.
However, meaningful progress depends on formal industry endorsement and active engagement with IATA. Regulatory adaptation is essential to ensure that AWB standards, handling codes and operational processes evolve in line with contemporary pharmaceutical logistics. By aligning regulatory frameworks with operational reality, the industry can strengthen GDP compliance, reduce liability ambiguity, improve handling reliability and enable equitable access to high-quality temperature-controlled transport.
The path forward is clear: the challenge exists, the need is recognised, and the industry is ready. What is required now is coordinated action to bring Dual Temperature Acceptance into the formal structure of global air cargo standards.