Philippine Airlines Cargo: Services, Rates & Tracking Guide

Philippine Airlines Cargo, or PAL Cargo, provides domestic and international air cargo services for packages, goods, documents, and special shipments.

PAL Cargo uses Philippine Airlines flights to transport shipments. Before sending your cargo, check the rates, booking requirements, and tracking details.

Philippine Airlines Cargo Services

PAL Cargo offers different services depending on the type of shipment.

Easy Cargo

Easy Cargo is designed for general goods that do not need special or advanced handling.

Examples may include:

• Boxes and parcels
• Clothing
• Household items
• Documents
• Non-perishable products
• Regular commercial goods

PAL states that Easy Cargo can carry shipments to its domestic and international cargo destinations. Packages must be properly packed so they can withstand normal transportation and handling.

Prime Cargo

Prime Cargo is for shipments that require special or advanced handling.

This can include cargo that needs additional care because of its condition, value, temperature requirements, size, or other handling needs.

Before sending this type of shipment, contact PAL Cargo to confirm its requirements and whether the item can be accepted on your chosen flight.

Live Cargo

PAL Cargo also accepts certain live animals, subject to airline rules, aircraft conditions, government permits, and destination requirements.

For domestic shipment of dogs or cats, PAL lists requirements including:

• Bureau of Animal Industry quarantine permit
• Veterinary certificate
• Suitable kennel
• Animal must generally be at least three months old

International requirements vary depending on the destination and may include health certificates, export documents, permits, vaccination records, and quarantine documents.

PAL also states that brachycephalic or snub-nosed dog breeds are currently not accepted as cargo on PAL flights. Requirements can change, so pet owners should confirm directly with PAL Cargo before arranging transport.

❤️ Pro Tip: If you are transporting a pet, contact PAL Cargo well before your planned travel date. Aircraft ventilation, destination rules, and animal health documents can affect whether your pet can be accepted.

Rush Cargo

Rush Cargo is PAL's service for urgent shipments that need faster handling and transportation.

Availability depends on the destination, flight schedule, cargo space, and type of item being shipped.

Port-to-Door

PAL Cargo also provides a Port-to-Door option for selected shipments. Instead of collecting the shipment directly from the airport cargo terminal, eligible cargo can be delivered onward to the recipient.

PAL has expanded this service as part of its cargo and logistics operations, including domestic delivery support in areas such as Metro Manila and Cebu.

How to Book Philippine Airlines Cargo

For shipments originating from Manila, PAL Cargo currently asks customers to contact its Cargo Reservations team.

You will normally need to provide:

• Shipper's name
• Contact number
• Number of pieces
• Total weight
• Type of goods or commodity
• Destination
• Preferred departure date

PAL's official cargo page currently lists Manila Cargo Reservations as available from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily through:

Mobile / Viber / WhatsApp: +63 917 535 6864
Email: cargo_reservations@pal.com.ph

For shipments originating from the Visayas, Mindanao, or international stations, customers should contact the PAL Cargo office at the shipment's origin.

Philippine Airlines Cargo Rates

There is no single fixed PAL Cargo rate that applies to every shipment.

The final price can depend on:

• Origin and destination
• Actual weight
• Chargeable or volumetric weight
• Package dimensions
• Type of cargo
• Special handling requirements
• Available cargo space
• Applicable taxes and fees

PAL provides a Get Quote option through its cargo service for customers who want an estimated shipment cost.

Because cargo rates can change depending on the shipment, it is better to request a quotation directly instead of relying on an old online price list.

Actual Weight vs Volumetric Weight

Air cargo charges are not always based only on how heavy your box feels.

Airlines may also consider the volumetric weight, which reflects how much aircraft space a shipment occupies.

For example, a very large but lightweight package can sometimes have a higher chargeable weight than its actual weight.

When requesting a quotation, prepare:

• Length
• Width
• Height
• Actual weight
• Number of packages

Providing complete measurements can help PAL Cargo give you a more accurate quotation.

How to Pack PAL Cargo Shipments

PAL requires cargo to be properly packed for normal transportation and handling. Packaging should also prevent the shipment from damaging other cargo, airline equipment, or the aircraft.

Before bringing your shipment to the cargo terminal:

• Use a strong box or suitable container.
• Seal the package properly.
• Protect fragile items with adequate padding.
• Avoid damaged or reused boxes that cannot support the contents.
• Clearly prepare the sender and receiver information.
• Inform PAL Cargo if the shipment contains fragile, perishable, valuable, or regulated items.

Special cargo may require different packaging.

Philippine Airlines Cargo Cut-Off Time

PAL currently states that cargo must generally be accepted before departure according to these cut-off times:

Domestic and Asia flights, including the Middle East: At least 5 hours before departure

United States, Canada, and Australia flights: At least 7 hours before departure

These are cargo acceptance cut-off times, not a recommended arrival time. Extra processing may be required for customs documents, special cargo, live animals, or other regulated shipments.

It is safer to confirm your exact acceptance time with PAL Cargo before going to the terminal.

Where Is the PAL Cargo Terminal in Manila?

PAL states that its current Manila cargo warehouse is located along Andrews Avenue in Pasay City.

PAL moved its cargo operations to its Andrews Avenue facility as part of an expansion and modernization of its cargo operations.

If you are dropping off or collecting cargo, confirm the correct terminal, operating hours, and required documents before travelling there.

How to Track Philippine Airlines Cargo

PAL Cargo provides an online Track and Trace service.

You normally need your shipment's Air Waybill number, or AWB, to check its status.

The tracking system can help you monitor your shipment after it has been accepted by PAL Cargo.

Keep your Air Waybill and cargo documents until the shipment has been successfully delivered or collected.

Sending Pets Through Philippine Airlines Cargo

Pets weighing more than the limit permitted under PAL's checked baggage rules may need to be transported as cargo instead.

PAL currently states that a checked pet and kennel must not exceed 32 kg under its checked-baggage pet rules. If the combined weight exceeds this limit, PAL may refer the pet for cargo transport, subject to cargo requirements.

Live-animal cargo bookings generally require advance coordination because PAL must check whether the aircraft can safely accommodate the animal.

For live cargo, PAL advises customers to coordinate with Cargo Reservations at least 24 hours before the flight to check aircraft ventilation and availability.

Special Cargo and Required Permits

Some products require additional permits or government clearance.

PAL specifically identifies commodities such as:

• Live tropical fish
• Food products
• Meat
• Live plants

Depending on the item, permits may be required from agencies such as the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), or Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI).

International shipments may also need export, customs, quarantine, or destination-country documents.

Can You Send Batteries or Dangerous Goods?

Not every product can be accepted as normal air cargo.

Items such as batteries, chemicals, flammable products, gases, radioactive materials, explosives, and other dangerous goods are subject to strict aviation regulations.

Always tell PAL Cargo exactly what your shipment contains. Do not hide batteries, chemicals, or hazardous materials inside a regular package.

PAL states that hazardous materials must be declared to the airline.

Philippine Airlines Cargo vs Checked Baggage

PAL Cargo and passenger checked baggage are different services.

Checked baggage travels as part of your passenger booking and is subject to your ticket's baggage allowance and excess baggage rules.

PAL Cargo is a separate shipping service. You do not normally need to travel on the same flight as the shipment.

Cargo is more suitable when:

• You are not travelling with the goods.
• Your shipment is too large for normal baggage.
• You are sending commercial products.
• The shipment requires special handling.
• You are transporting eligible live animals.
• You need to send multiple boxes or heavier shipments.

Tips Before Sending PAL Cargo

Before booking your shipment:

• Measure and weigh every package.
• Ask for the latest quotation.
• Check whether your destination accepts the item.
• Prepare permits for food, plants, animals, or regulated products.
• Pack your shipment securely.
• Keep your Air Waybill number.
• Confirm the cargo acceptance cut-off time.
• Arrive early for shipments requiring inspections or documentation.
• Do not place prohibited or undeclared dangerous goods inside your package.

❤️ Pro Tip: Cargo requirements can change depending on the destination, aircraft, and type of item. Contact PAL Cargo before packing expensive, oversized, perishable, or regulated goods to avoid problems at the terminal.