ULD Regulations (ULDR)

Order the ULDR online

If you are new to the ULD Regulations, all versions are updated annually. Digital products come with automatic updates for the year and a search function that makes finding current information easy. And, it's cheaper.

Contact us if you're interested in an enterprise solution for accessing IATA Publications. 

What’s inside the ULDR?

• Applicability (aircraft ULD definition, regulatory framework, scope and applicability, responsibilities of airlines and other parties, training requirements)
• Limitations (aircraft operating limitations applicable to ULD, aircraft contour drawings with dimensions of all the major aircraft types, requirements for pallet and net compatibility, requirements for continuing airworthiness and ULD serviceability check, requirements for ULD repairs)
• Classification (cargo compartment classification, certified ULD and TSO-C90 approval, bilateral agreements on approval acceptance, non-certified containers, ULD accessories)
• ULD Identification (IATA ULD ID Code, currently registered ULD Type Codes, diagrams, related characteristics including aircraft acceptability, airline and non-airline owner codes, pallet/net compatibility chart)
• Technical and Operating Specifications for aircraft pallet, net, container, Fire Resistant Container, Temperature Controlled Container and other special purpose ULDs, Fire Containment Cover, cargo restrain strap and other ULD accessories
• Marking (marking of ULD ID Code, TSO marking requirements, requirements for bar-coded ULD ID Code and ULD RFID tag, Operational Damage Limits Notice (ODLN))
• Documentation and messaging (ULD Stock Control, ULD Control Receipt for ULD transfer, ULD  ownership documentation, ULD repair station documentation, operating instructions in CMM)
• Handling (maintaining continuing airworthiness, handling requirements for ULD storage, transport and movement, transfer, build-up and break-down, and special purpose ULDs)
• Appendixes (application for ULD Contour Code and registration of ULD Type Code, IATA ULD Management Scorecard, IATA ULD Training Program Assessment Checklist, illustration of ULD components on ODLN)

Stay up-to-date

Significant Changes to the 12th edition (2024) of the IATA ULD Regulations (ULDR) include:

• The Competency-based Training and Assessment approach for ULD training requirements has been adopted in ULDR 1.6.
• All the technical and operating specifications for Fire Resistant Container (FRC) and Fire Containment Cover (FCC) have been updated to align with the respective SAE and ISO standards.
• The migration of the ULD working instructions from ULDR to ICHM has been started this year with Operating Specifications 6/01 and 6/06. 
• The ULD Operational Maximum Gross Weight, which is marked by the manufacturers on the ULD, has been clarified to differentiate from the Maximum Gross Weight limitation per aircraft ULD position imposed by the aircraft WBM.
• The presentation of the maximum allowable center of gravity heights of respective ULD contours has been greatly improved.
• The aircraft cargo compartment classification based on the fire protection capability of the cargo compartment has been updated.
• Characteristics associated with ‘Special Loads’ such as offset cargo & overhanging cargo have been added in the new edition of the ULDR.