Description
CAO label — marking for shipments allowed only on cargo aircraft
The AIRCRAFT CARGO ONLY label, also known as a CAO Label or Cargo Aircraft Only Label, is used in the air transport of dangerous goods. Its purpose is to clearly identify a shipment that must not be transported on a passenger aircraft and may be carried only on a cargo aircraft.
The requirement to use a CAO label comes from the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations and ICAO rules for the safe air transport of dangerous goods. This marking is used for packages containing dangerous goods that are permitted only on cargo aircraft. In practice, this applies to shipments where the packing instruction, quantity of material, hazard class or specific transport restrictions exclude carriage on board a passenger aircraft.
According to IATA requirements, the CAO label should be rectangular, have a clear black print and an orange background. The commonly used minimum size for this marking is 110 × 120 mm. The Print&Stick label has an enlarged size of 115 × 125 mm, improving visibility and making the marking easier to identify during shipment handling.
The CAO marking does not replace other required hazard labels, transport marks, UN numbers, proper shipping names, transport documents or, where applicable, orientation arrows. It should be used as an additional handling label when required by the classification of the goods, the packing instruction and the current IATA DGR requirements. The selection of markings should always be verified against the product documentation, safety data sheet, UN classification and applicable air transport regulations. In case of doubt, consultation with a person responsible for shipping dangerous goods or a dangerous goods transport adviser is recommended.
Where and how to use the AIRCRAFT CARGO ONLY label
The AIRCRAFT CARGO ONLY label should be applied to transport packages containing dangerous goods that may be carried only on cargo aircraft. It is used, among others, on cartons, crates, combination packaging, outer packaging, containers and shipments prepared for air transport in accordance with IATA DGR.
The label should be applied to the outer surface of the package in a place clearly visible to handling personnel. The marking must not be covered by tape, stretch film, other labels, transport documents, an air waybill or packaging elements. It is best applied to a flat, clean, dry and stable surface that ensures good adhesion and legibility throughout the logistics handling process.
In air transport, it is particularly important that the CAO label remains visible during shipment acceptance, document checks, sorting, storage, handling and preparation for loading. The marking indicates that the shipment must be directed correctly to cargo aircraft transport and must not enter the flow of shipments intended for passenger aircraft.
Before applying the label, it is worth checking:
- whether the goods actually require Cargo Aircraft Only marking,
- whether the UN classification, packing instruction and quantity per package exclude carriage on passenger aircraft,
- whether all required hazard labels and markings are present on the shipment,
- whether the CAO label is placed close to the other dangerous goods markings,
- whether the packaging surface is dry, clean and free from grease,
- whether the label is not folded, dirty, cut or partially covered,
- whether the marking remains legible after wrapping, order picking or palletising the shipment.
The CAO label is especially important for air shipments of chemicals, dangerous substances, selected aerosols, flammable substances, specialist products, technical materials and other goods classified under IATA DGR as permitted only on cargo aircraft.
Quality of Print&Stick labels for marking air cargo shipments
Print&Stick AIRCRAFT CARGO ONLY 115 × 125 mm labels have been designed for clear and durable marking of shipments in demanding logistics environments. The intense orange background and contrasting black print provide high visibility of the message, making it easier to identify the shipment quickly during warehouse and air cargo handling.
The labels are made from high-quality self-adhesive material and coated with a permanent adhesive that provides good adhesion to typical transport packaging such as cardboard, paper, corrugated board, boxes, outer packaging and smooth logistics surfaces. The label roll allows fast peeling and convenient application wherever shipments are marked regularly or in series.
The print is clear, consistent and produced to a high-quality standard. The enlarged 115 × 125 mm format improves the visibility of the marking and reduces the risk of the label being overlooked during acceptance, sorting or handling. This is particularly important for shipments containing dangerous goods, where clear package marking directly affects correct logistics handling.
Label production is carried out with repeatable parameters and quality control in line with the ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 management systems. As a result, each production batch maintains a consistent appearance, clear print, suitable background colour and the functional properties required for everyday shipment marking.
Print&Stick labels are a good choice for companies shipping dangerous goods by air, logistics operators, warehouses, packing departments, manufacturing companies, chemical distributors, laboratories, e-commerce companies and export departments that need consistent, legible and easy-to-apply CAO markings.
Technical specifications
- Name: Self-adhesive AIRCRAFT CARGO ONLY label
- Marking type: CAO Label / Cargo Aircraft Only Label
- Application standard: IATA DGR, air transport of dangerous goods
- Label size: 115 × 125 mm
- Shape: rectangular
- Background colour: orange
- Print colour: black
- Material: self-adhesive label
- Adhesive: permanent
- Supply format: roll
- Package content: 1 roll = 250 labels
- Application: marking shipments containing dangerous goods permitted only for carriage on cargo aircraft
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